This may be a dumb question but here it goes. What is the best method for sharpening a hook? I don't do it as much as I probably should. I have heard that hooks these days that are chemically sharpened do not need to be sharpened before use but I would bet that after alot of use you would need to do this. when I finally get around to doing it it seems to be a hassle but I decided I don't want to miss a fish of a lifetime. I am sure that buying premium hooks is a good step but it may take a while to replace all the sub par hooks on all the lures in my tackle boxes.

Brian

I like the chemically sharpened hooks, but they do get dull and I seem to always make them duller trying to sharpen them. I've been sharpening hooks since 1959, so it isn't a lack of skill. I can see the dark steel under the silver coating after sharpening them, so I'm actually removing the chemical layer. Those begin to rust in the altered areas quicker than regular hooks. So, when a chemically sharpened hook stops grabbing a fingernail I now replace it.

I have a set of Akransas Stones made of novaculite, a glassy silica rock (similar to quartz) that comes cut in various grits, all requiring light oil to keep the pores from clogging with metal. Occasionally I steam clean them. Those stones can turn a cheap hunting knife blade into one you can shave with. I buy them locally near where they are made, but they are online at Click Here I have an old collectible flat one about 4" long, 1/4" wide and 1/8" thick for treble hooks. I see they still make the hook sharpener stone, but mine is for round pointed hooks, not faceted points. When I sharpen I always make the point slice against the stone gently, keeping a high angle. Don't hold the hook shank close to the stone. You only want to restore the tip of the point. Make a pass or two then test by pushing the point against a fingernail. Keep sharpening until the hook grabs easily.

I switched to premium hooks a while but realized they dull about as fast as cheap hooks due to our rocky bottoms. There are several popular lower priced brands that are plenty sharp out of the package, ready to use, and easy to resharpen. I realize there's a hook on the market now that can supposedly split an atom, but all you need is a hook that will penetrate the roof of a bass mouth. An aggressive hookset with properly matched quality line and rod working a truly sharp hook designed for your lure will help boat your share of fish. I wouldn't advise anyone changing all the hooks to better. I started to do that years ago but can't fish them all before the hooks rust. Change to better hooks the day you select a new player lure. Carry a modest supply of types and sizes, kept in a plastic container with some dry white rice or commercial desiccant.

Jim

Those atom splitting hooks are the new Lazer Tro-Kar hooks they are surgically sharpened, but who can afford $10 for 6 hooks, not me. The fact is that no matter how sharp a hook is right out of the package it is going to get dull after use. They are just like razor blades, after some many shaves they need replaced. That is why I buy my hooks in bulk(Gamakatsu EWG)and Mustad Triple Grip hooks and when they get dull I replace them. However to me it isn't how long a hook stays sharp it is how well do they hold up aginst rust. It can be as sharp as the Tro-Kar's but if it has rust I won't use it. For instance take a Strike King jig, nice jigs but they use cheap hooks, use the jig once dry it off, put it away and the next time you go to use it the hook is rusty, not good! Now take a jig with a gamakatsu hook same case no rust on the hook. Sure hooks get dull we all know that, sharpen them if you wish nothing wrong with that, but rust is your enemy.

Harry

It's hard to touch up chemically sharpened cone point hooks or any cone point hooks. It's also very hard to sharpen sutter point style hooks. In fact, I simply don't touch them with any filing at all. There's no special chemical layer on the hook. The chemicals are like an acid that burns off the layers of metals. Problem is the type of metal coating on the hooks. Usually the core is made of really soft type of metal as since the hooks are not forged, but probably mold poured. Other hooks that don't take to sharpening are plated hooks. Often like those chrome vanadium plated hooks. Many come in different quality of plating thickness, so some can take a little touching up. Some merely will flake as soon as you put the file to the surface.

Anyway, when I sharpen my hooks, I usually try to do a three surface touch up. Flat side of the hook point on the outside, and two angled sided on the inside. So I don't accidentally dull the barb point.

Wow lots of good info. I found out alot I did not know about hooks. Thanks for the help.

I rarely sharpen a hook, I have not had a lot of success. I keep and old style automotive ignition points file in my tackle box for the rare instance I get caught without a replacement hook. Tom

We keep getting back to Club Store.  Since I started out making my own jigs it did not take me long to know how much cheaper hooks are in bulk.  As I grow older my eye sight grows weaker.  I quit building rods because I could not see well enough.  I sure could not see good enough to sharpen a hook--never have been able to sharpen a knife just throw it in the drawer or give it to a friend.  Club Store or serious discount with Cabelas or BPS or other giant.  Surely, 180,000 members ought to carry a little clout or offer as incentive to Life Membership or Trophy Life Membership.  Who stuffed all those little packages of hooks when we first began?   My problem is that I bass fish and the ones I got were for pan fish, etc.  Club leadership ought to be able to put together quite a coupon with several big companies for its endorsement.  Uncle Tom

I don't sharpen you'll just make them worse I simpley replace them mcopeland1

hook your nose with it

right. Don't sharpen anything! Replace the hooks. New TROKAR CHEMICAL HOOKS are available with free shipping on most orders here> Click Here

I can't replace hooks on my ice fishing jigs. So praticing good hook sharpening skills is a money saving practice. Then again I've got other tricks up my sleeve...

Posted By Northeastbass on 16 Sep 2010 11:34 AM
right. Don't sharpen anything! Replace the hooks. New TROKAR CHEMICAL HOOKS are available with free shipping on most orders here> Click Here

Trokars I've tried em and sad to say the points still roll over on em so I feel they are no better than a lot of other hooks out there. They just cost a bunch more than the others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JMHO!!!!!!