Sharp hooks are essential to successful fishing. No matter your goal – from trophy bass fishing to recreational fishing with friends – sharp hooks could mean the difference between catching or losing fish.
Ted shows in this video how to effectively use a hook file to craft sharp penetrating hook points for your hooks. The key is removing very little metal while maintaining an angle consistent across different grits on the file.
1. File
No matter the size or type of fishing hooks used for fishing, they all require periodic care and maintenance to remain sharp and effective. One unfortunate hangup or several big bites can quickly dull their hook points to an ineffective state; to ensure maximum effectiveness many anglers keep files handy to help maintain sharp hook points.
Filing a hook can be an effortless experience. Most files offer different grit levels to meet different sizes and types of hooks, and when sharpening, always move towards the hook point when moving your file – not away. Doing otherwise could cause small pieces of metal to build up near its tip, creating an obstruction that prevents penetration into its target target point. Instead, bring its point towards you whenever stroking for best results.
Ted Eastman shows a quick and easy method of sharpening hooks using his Cuda hook sharpener in this video. Its angled grooves offer plenty of options for sharpening any size hook – simply match its width up with one of its slots to give yourself the best chance at sharpening them quickly! Your goal should be to file both sides of the hook point to add cutting edges similar to how an arrow would be sharpened.
One quick way to test whether or not your hooks require sharpening is to gently drag them across your thumbnail. If their point catches or sticks to any ridges on your thumbnail, sharpening may be needed. Most modern hooks feature an anticorrosive coating designed to allow quick penetration; when sharpening a hook will usually remove this protective layer as well. To combat this effect, color your hooks with permanent marker temporarily add protection; additionally keeping them clean, dry and lubricated will extend their lives over time.
2. Stone
Stones can be an invaluable tool for sharpening hooks quickly and accurately on the water, especially if you need to resharpen quickly and precisely. For best results, use short and precise strokes so as not to damage or wear away too much of its point. A lower grit count stone works better for larger saltwater hooks while higher grit counts work best with freshwater or fly hooks. When using your stone for sharpening hooks on flat surfaces such as tables. When positioning hooked end over edge then gently move it over in short strokes so that point remains sharp with knife-like precision until sharpness feels sharp and has knife-like precision and edges!
Once the point of a hook has been sharpened, it is also essential that its barb is properly sharpened. This small backward-pointing point keeps the hook in the mouth of fish after hooking. To do so, simply drag its hooked end over your thumbnail with some pressure until it scrapes against your nail without breaking or bending; if this indicates sharpness.
Some anglers prefer “triangulating” their hook points by filing three cutting surfaces into each hook rather than two, rather than filing just two cutting surfaces into each hook point. Although this process takes time and dedication, many anglers love the needle-sharp edge it leaves their hook points with. While the technique may be difficult for those using cut plugs with multiple treble hooks attached simultaneously, handheld battery-operated sharpeners make this job much simpler.
Most fishing hook files are constructed from steel and will rust over time when left in salt water, so it is wise to coat them with light oil such as coconut oil before each fishing trip to prevent this. A small amount will do, as it will also protect it from being damaged as you use it on lures and equipment. Some manufacturers even make special coatings to resist corrosion and rust to extend its useful life and save you from purchasing new hook files frequently.
3. Grinding stone
Sharp hooks are well-known to help anglers catch more fish, yet many fail to incorporate sharpening them into their routine. When fishing for snook, trout or bass having sharp hooks is crucial – there are multiple methods available but a grinding stone provides the most professional finish possible.
Simply place the hook onto a grinding stone and pull with light pressure against it in an forward motion to remove metal from its point and create a razor-sharp edge. For optimal results, it is wise to use a quality diamond stone with high grit counts.
If you don’t own a grinding stone, sandpaper can also help sharpen your hooks. Remove any extra line and then place your hook over a sheet of sandpaper. Apply light pressure as you move the hook back and forth over it – repeat until your hook reaches desired sharpness.
One option for sharpening hooks is using a Dremel tool, a handheld rotary tool capable of many uses including sharpening hooks. Before use, soak your Dremel in water to lubricate its surfaces and increase effectiveness; use 20-30 degree angles while applying light pressure as you move across the stone surface for best results.
Whetstones can serve as an alternative to grinding stones for most hooks; however, sharp knife-like points may prove challenging on certain hooks. Smaller hooks suited for bait fishing will benefit most from being sharpened using this approach.
Most hooks come equipped with a protective coating designed to shield them from corrosion while making them easier for fish to swallow. Unfortunately, this protection can sometimes be stripped away during sharpening processes leaving your hook vulnerable to rusting and corrosion. To combat this problem you could color its point with permanent marker in order to help it resist rusting.
4. Finishing oil
From a fishing perspective, sharp hooks are essential. Common sense tells us that sharper hooks penetrate more easily into fish flesh to secure capture; but what exactly constitutes “hook sharpness?” Many well-meaning fishermen simply “knock off the dust off” larger 8/0 to 12/0 hooks using whetstones or files; though this might allow them to “fish”, such techniques do not offer sufficient sharpness for landing tarpon, billfish or larger bass species.
Chemically sharpened hooks arrive ready-to-use, razor-sharp from the box. However, with age comes dulled points which must be sharpened in order to remain effective. Sharpening your hook can be done multiple ways but using a sharpening stone makes the task quicker and simpler than doing so with just a knife alone.
Start by applying some finishing oil to your hook file – this will protect both its surface and make it easier for you to grip it in your fingers. Next, lay the hook over it and use a smooth but not too hard motion to file away its edge; alternate sides as necessary until your point becomes as sharp as possible (should only take several strokes for most fish hooks).
After you are finished sharpening, remove and test your hook’s sharpness. If it still does not meet your standards, repeat this process until it does so. Keeping your fishing hooks sharp is a straightforward and affordable way to ensure you will enjoy an amazing fishing experience and catch more fish!
If you want to know how to sharpen fishing hooks correctly, check out this video. It features some invaluable tips and techniques that will bring your fishing experience to a whole new level!
