I can't think of anything that loses fish more than dull hooks. A file is attached to my scissors as a reminder to check that the hook point grabs skin with the slightest pressure. Even new hooks have to be checked.
Printable View
I can't think of anything that loses fish more than dull hooks. A file is attached to my scissors as a reminder to check that the hook point grabs skin with the slightest pressure. Even new hooks have to be checked.
I do check but not as often as I should! Having a file close at hand is a very good idea!
Bob
I don't know how others sharpen the hook but I file toward the tip in 3 sides: top of the hook and then both sides as an angle.
I normally have them broke off before they get dull:Rofl
I don't lose a lot of hooks therefore I should sharpen or replace more often.
I would guess I have lost several fish.
I must be doing something wrong :Rofl because I've caught fish on a hook with NO point, a hook with a bent point, & also some rusted hooks. :yikes
I check when i tie on, if it will not stick on my fingernail it gets gone over with a small Arkansas stone!!!!! If a fish gets off the hook i check it again.
Same hereQuote:
Originally Posted by BJH
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Mine are usually pretty sharp. They have no problem sticking in every limb in the lake. :Rofl
I break them off before they can get too dull. I also fish with braid. High strength and low stretch usually send that hook home. I am starting to use a few older reels with 4 lbs mono. I need to make sure those hooks are sharp
Good point! no pun intended LOLQuote:
I also fish with braid. High strength and low stretch usually send that hook home.
I think sharp hooks are more than half the reason fish hook themselves initially requiring only a raising of the rod tip to complete the hook set with a quick twitch. Once the fish panics even more, the fish sets the point even deeper. Braid is definitely not mono and small hooks don't need the crossing-their-eyes hook sets like with bass - but only as long as the hook point is very sharp.
Very true. I usually load the rod up and stop on the hookset. Although there are times when I slam it home. Most of those I am somewhere off in thought when the fish thumps the line. Wake up and jerk. Ha
During my bass fishing days pretty often . crappie fishing , never have .
Been there, done that - at least until I find the pattern (s).Quote:
Most of those I am somewhere off in thought when the fish thumps the line. Wake up and jerk.
Last time I was shooting this marina I noticed a house boat that was in bad shape. I got to thinking about what it would take to rebuild her and that crappie slipped up and grabbed that jig. I jumped and set the hook hard enough I had to take a step back to keep from falling off the front of the boat. I am standing there dying laughing thinking with all the cameras around these days somebody has that on videoQuote:
Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
I sharpened hooks for over 45 years...that all quit about 4 years back. Haven't had to sharpen a hook since I started getting my jig heads...and what few lures I do use...out of Japan. The hooks are literally as sharp as a hypodermic needle. I also have not had to set a hook for past 4 years. The fish hook themselves the minute they hit it. The hook penetrates instantly even using UL tackle....on largemouth...Smallies...and Spotted bass in the bony part of the jaw instantly. If you need to see this in action you can see it on my YouTube channel...TroutMagnetMan. Plenty of videos of bass....crappie...bluegill....trout...no hook set going on. Many of these hooks...not all....have a fluorine coating. Many think this is to prevent corrosion...but that is not the case...it is to make the hook penetrate more easily. Some outstanding hooks for sure.
Regards
I used to use foraged hooks for flounder that were chemically sharpened. Those things were sharp .
I only have one jig head that is chemically sharpened. It is the Daiwa Gekkabijin SaqSas jig head. While all the jig heads I have tried are super sharp these are scary sharp. Daiwa also puts SaqSas hooks on some of it’s trout spoons…..and I’m sure bass lures as well. You can bury a SaqSas hook in your hand just getting it out of the package. Many of the spoons I buy come with barbless hooks so getting one of those in your hand is no big deal….although it does hurt. But I change those out as I am not a big fan of barbless hooks. That is where I get into trouble. I change the barbless out with a #6 or #8 C'ultiva S-21. They are also extremely sharp and with a barb. If I could hire someone to change them out I would. I’ve got about 100 to get done.Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
Regards
Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
At the time the outdoor magazines told you a hook was sharp enough when a 1 ounce weight would allow it to grab into your thumb nail tilted at a downward angle and not slide off. That is the way I tested my hooks for bass fishing. Chemically sharpened hooks didn't need to be tested that way unless you wish to release some of the blood from your nail bed.
Never check or sharpen. I’ll fish a jighead/fly until plum worn out and can’t say I lose fish due to a dull hook. I usually change when I either have to break off or hook straightens out too easy from prolong wear. :dono
Not nearly as often as I should.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Ever have the point kink at the tip due to hitting a rock? Not often but often enough to check even with chemically sharpened hooks. Same goes for pulling free from a snag and finding the gap wider. A wide gap is worse than a slightly dulled hook and guarantees fish lost. (I know, softer metal hooks are a no no but they catch fish after fish and the jigs can be released from many underwater snags. Pliers are a must to close the gap!)
Been there many times, Spoon. The Trout Magnet hooks will open up from time to time but a small price to pay to get back a rig and I like the hooks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
Bob
the sickle hooks I buy by the hundred for the most part NEVER fail me , I have failed them a few times though :Rofl
when you reach in the bag to get one and they attack you like a herd of fire ants and you pull your hand out with 3 or 4 stuck to ya .....
that is quite sharp enough for my type of surgery :highfive
I check mine fairly often and re sharpen. With a flat diamond sharpener
I think it makes a difference on days when they grab it light.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
#2 red sickle hooks in the jigheads I get locally. They will leave ya bleedingQuote:
Originally Posted by Ketchn
Got my first stone from salesman at factory where I worked in the 80's and have them in my tackle boxes and boat all the time. Learned during icefishing that if you are pricking too many and not hooking them... CHECK YOUR HOOK, probably needs to be sharpened! Also touch them up during monthly clean out your tackle boxes day. Even hit new hooks/lures before I use them!