Fishing hooks

Reel Beaker · January 28, 2018, 01:37:54 PM

Hi guys,

was wondering how you guys check your hook sharpness. Read on google that you use your nail to test the sharpness but why would you want to do that and risk the possibility of nicking and damaging your nails. Does anyone has a better approach? Also do you sharpen your hooks or just change your hook when it is no longer sharp?

Miles Offshore · January 28, 2018, 01:56:43 PM

Yes thumbnail, i pull downward if it carches and stops its good!

Miles Offshore · January 28, 2018, 02:00:23 PM

I need to add I only sharpen the big mustads we use for trolling, most other smaller hooks, eagle claws etc come plenty sharp out of the package. I sharpen with a stone, and use a triangle pattern on the mustads.

Gfish · January 28, 2018, 02:23:35 PM

Tip a my finger. Is it "sticky"? Yeah, after a nice manicure and painting wouldn't wanna scratch my nails... Kiddin, really wouldn't wanna dull the point on somethin like my nails, especially right after a sharpening.
Gfish

Keta · January 28, 2018, 02:35:21 PM

Fingernails grow back but you don't want to gouge them too bad, just see if the hook catches or slips.

Miles Offshore · January 28, 2018, 02:54:11 PM

Also after I sharpen i usually use a black sharpie over and around the sharpened point to help lessen corrosion. Also the sharpie is a good reminder and lets you know which have and have not been sharpened. Say out of a box. I dont put out or allow baits in the water without being sharpened first!

Keta · January 28, 2018, 02:58:43 PM

I never sharpen Owner or Gami hooks.

JiggingAk · January 28, 2018, 03:01:01 PM

Truth ^^^^

Captain64-200 · January 28, 2018, 03:06:24 PM

Quote from: Keta on January 28, 2018, 02:58:43 PM
I never sharpen Owner or Gami hooks.

Yes , I agree ,the sharpening pattern is often too complicated ,you just make it worse trying to improve those "modern" hooks .

swill88 · January 28, 2018, 03:21:32 PM

When a hook is touted as 'chemically sharpened" is further sharpening not advised?

Steve

Keta · January 28, 2018, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: swill88 on January 28, 2018, 03:21:32 PM
When a hook is touted as 'chemically sharpened" is further sharpening not advised?

Steve

Yes.

Tiddlerbasher · January 28, 2018, 03:43:56 PM

Most quality modern hooks are sharp out of the packet - if thay are dull I bin them. The type of hooks that Daron uses are too expensive to chuck

Reel 224 · January 28, 2018, 04:12:55 PM

I agree with not sharping the new brand of hook, but I still check my hooks with my thumb nail just to make sure.
They have very fine files to sharpen hooks if need be.

Joe

festus · January 28, 2018, 05:36:02 PM

I usually just run the tip of the hook across the pad of my finger, it's easy to tell if it's sharp. Yes, most hooks are sharp enough already.

philaroman · January 28, 2018, 05:52:19 PM

on the water, the "nail thing" is a quick convenience, to see if a hook should be REPLACED -- I do my sharpening at home... some Japanese high-carbon can be salvaged, but most can't be restored anywhere near the original chemically sharpened point (esp. not smaller hooks)... NO! I don't use my nail, when I'm working on several dozen hooks, at home.

to save your nails, get some PORCUPINE QUILLS (African-BEST, Asian-OK, American - too small):

made of keratin & smooth, hard surface -- same as human nails
EXCELLENT finesse UL float by itself, or stem for a bigger float -- just add cork/foam of desired size/shape
EXCELLENT non-metal pick

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xporcupine+quills+-american+.TRS0&_nkw=porcupine+quills+-american+&_sacat=0