Hooks- sharpen or not
Pasted from Best Tailor hook.
I have read somewhere that you should always sharpen ALL hooks, even chemically sharpened ones. As mentioned below I do get a little OTT when I am after something quality, but I am also lazy with "routine" fun fishing. Just wondered what everyone else does.
"Even chemical sharpened hooks need a bit off attention IMO, even if they feel like you can shave.
I dont bother sharpening hooks for Bread and butter fishing, but when I am after quality I always file the end with a hook sharpener. It only takes a second or 2, and can get rid of burrs that cant be noticed. I call this attention to detail and it has stood the test of time.
When I can be bothered I also sharpen all hooks for whiting fishing, and have noticed an improved bite/hookup rate. Might be more that I fill in the diary when I do something different, and dont when it is run off the mill.
I would be interested in others opinion."
Cheers
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
Probably from back in the day
Probably from back in the day when they recommended sharpening your hooks as you'd probably re-use them.
Can't see how you'd do anything other than stuff up a chemically sharpened hook, trying to touch it up with a file.
If you can slide the point down your fingernail at 45 deg and it hooks up , it's sharp enough
(The gama's and owners are def sharper out of the packet than the mustads though and I have run a diamond hone over those occasionally)
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
Batty
Posts: 348
Date Joined: 24/11/10
Snagged
It's handy to carry a sharpener for when you get snagged then pull free, often the point is slightly dulled but a quick sharpen and off you go again.
Grayzeee - laughing at your caption, it gets addictive hey!
Lifes a game but fishing is serious !!!
buschy
Posts: 626
Date Joined: 27/11/09
Rarely or not at all
Any chemically sharpened hook you touch with a sharpener is going to be ruined. Personally, I only use hooks until the point wears or they look a bit shabby, then I turf them.
I have a couple of massive shark hooks - 12/0, 14/0 that I never use but these are the exception. Point is less critical so a decent hook sharpener will suffice for a hook-up. Also too expensive to replace!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Stone
I have a small sharpening stone that lives in the tackle box, any hook that feels a bit blunt gets a tickle up, only takes a couple of seconds and that could mean a hook up or a missed bite.