Do you guys sharpen your hooks or is it not really needed?

jd-santaclarita · Post by **jd-santaclarita** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:17 am

I am trying to get the real deal on hook sharpening. I see info that says "You MUST" sharpen them or you will lose more fish and I also see a lot of info that says chemical sharpened hooks come sharp enough straight out of the package? I am wondering if the "must sharpen" info is older, prior to todays breed of hooks or should I still sharpen those. What do you guys think, Do you sharpen your hooks? What is the best tool to use, there are so many different ones, there must be a favorite out there?

---The reason I started looking at sharpening is because the other day, I kept getting tiny bites on a wacky rig senko, but couldn't quite get 'em hooked......

Thanks all,
Justin

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:37 pm

All of the Mustad, Owner, and Gamakatsu hooks I buy now are sharp out of the package. I check new spinnerbaits and jigs before I tie them on. Trebles on cranks are sharp, but lots of guys change them out to get different performance, like to a rounder bend on top waters to snag fish that slap at a lure, or a twisted tip to keep them from throwing a crank as easily.
I suggest you check your hooks frequently.
If you feel the point bent over a little from snagging on something, sharpen it. I have a little diamond stone I used to use to sharpen cheisels that I keep on my boat. Ten seconds, and I'm good to go. Beats the hell out of tieing on a new hook. If you think it might be dull, touch it up!
Mark

Gerryjig · Post by **Gerryjig** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:16 pm

Sharper the better, I use X-Point hooks for worms and Owners for reaction baits. Most hooks are needle sharp out of the pack, but should be checked after EVERY fish or in a timely manner.....on my smaller jerks and cranks, I bend the hooks in a tiny bit....why?, because the gage is usually thinner and can bend out that much easier if you pull too hard......bending them in a hair "cut's them off at the pass" so to say. All hooks should be checked all the time.....period! Oh yeah, and turn out each treble opposite on the reaction baits!! like Dobyns does!