Monday, July 15, 2013

Land More Fish...Sharpen Your Hooks



Land More Fish

Sharp fishhooks will land more fish. That is a no brain-er you would think, but new hooks can cost big money for some types of hooks. Some fish have mouths that are tough to pierce and a dull hook may not dig in and you miss the fish.

When I look for a hook in my fishing box I often find a hook with a little rust on it. I first brush it off with a wire brush and then with a file I sharpen the hook.

It is easy to sharpen the hook with a file. First file the back side of the hook (the side away from the barb) until it has a flat surface. Then make a few strokes on one side of the hook point. Then file the other side of the hook point to form a sharp-edged triangle with a very sharp tip. The point with sharp edges help the hook penetrate.

The sharp hook will slide in to the bait better and into the fish better when the fish takes the bait.
A test that can give you an idea if the hook has a good point on it is run the tip of the hook across your fingernail. If the point does not catch immediately, the hook is not sharp. 

The triangular point is a cutting point and it is like the point on many needles surgeons use. The 3 sides makes it easy to put on the hook with a flat file. 




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