Change those hooks!!

[Killin' It]

How many of you change out all the hooks on your spoons when they come out of the package?

I have lost a handfull of fish this year, because the hooks did not get a good hold.

[mattmishler]

All moonshine spoons get changed. Thats the only ones. Every spoon that we get gets sharpened the first time i lay my hands on them.

[BenLubbs]

Depends on the spoon, there are some that come with good hooks out of the package (ie JP slammers) and some that come with crap hooks. If I don't like the hooks, I change them out with VMC's. Same goes for flies and plugs.

[tltorrice]

I don't change them but I do sharpen them every time they go in the water. That has make a world of difference. You would be surprised how dull hooks are coming out of the package. Stingers are the worst. So just to be sure each one is tested and sharpened before use.

[danthebuilder]

What do you guys use to sharpen your hooks?

[N II Deep]

D

What do you guys use to sharpen your hooks?

I use a hard Arkansas stone. Some will use a file

[tltorrice]

I use a Lansky hook sharpner. https://lansky.com/index.php/outdoor/multi-groove-fish-hook-sharpeners/

[spoonfed]

we change all hooks to single hooks

[Just Hook'n]

I sharpen everything.

Spoons I don't bother changing them out, but I do sharpen each one - doesn't matter the brand.

On flies, the only ones I don't mess with are BW. They pay attention to hooks.

All other brands I change out to single Gama number 4 with a bass style trailer. Works awesome. Hook up ratios went way up when I did this a few years back.

[nojmanloo]

owners on all.

[Adam Bomb]

I usually just sharpen, but did have a batch of moonshines once that the hook point was so pitiful it was visually not sharp. I put them in the round file and put on new.

[Rascal Trophy Fishing]

Nice posts and great discussion Dave. I too try to check out the sharpness of the new lure hooks. Routinely, at the dock, with spare time, check to see if the hook will hang in your fingernail, if not, it needs sharpening or replacement, depending on the brand. Those Japaneese red hooks they used on flies and some lures, don't care for them, lost way too many fish. VMC and Eagle Claws are my favs.. Look at the tines too, esp. at this time of year with the big ones being taken daily, it makes ALL the difference. I have some files I like, but usually use a cordless electric sharpener with a diamond abrasive inside, just ducky, and so easy too. That extra couple of minutes to check, can make all the difference in catching, or releasing back. Very important post not many think of, till it's too late.

[jimcr]

I sharpen if they need it, or change the hook if its a cheep e that wouldn't' stand up to a 8 lb fish. Most of the spoons I buy have VMC hooks.

[Just in time]

I sharpen all hooks. If I have a problem I switch to owners. I have had alot of problems with hooks on yeck spoons coming apart. They are sharp out the package but big fish pull them apart. Yeck I believe uses VMC hooks. I sharpen with an india stone.

[JWheeler]

Ace high plugs get changed right out of the box and don't see the water. Too many times they have bent on us in the past. For the money spent on these lures you'd think the manufacturer would use a quality component

[Cork Dust]

What do you guys use to sharpen your hooks?

There actually is a hook sharpening file that looks like an ink pen(pull off the silver cover to expose the grooved file rod). I have four of them, but all have bee too worn to read who makes them. Sorry.

[young gun]

Only rapture flies. hate those eagle claws, all others get sharpend.

I use VMCs because 25 of them on ebay size #2 is $12.00 and they are sharp.

[mattmishler]

Blake, Jeff from rapture sells 3 a packs of flies without leader and hooks, just beads so you can tie them up as you want.

[ekbelt]

When we fish tournaments, everything has a brand new owner on it... They make a difference. Every fish counts. Flys and spoons both. The only thing I won't touch are brand new big weenie flys. Even those get retied with a new hook after a year. I will say... When we are out prospecting, its not as important and we'll try a lot of other lures with whatever hook they have on them. If it ends up being hot-- it might get a new hook.

[young gun]

Hey matt i have been getting the three packs from corey and willis down at fish on. thanks though

[Legacy]

I sharpen everything before it hits the water. If i dont like it, i swap it out with a vmc.

[fishsniffer]

for the most part I sharpen them out of the pack..i do have lazy moments and just throw em out..

[silver one]

I replace them if they are bad but a hook that has not been comprimised from being bent or rust should be fine. sharpen then every time I put one on. I have a very fine small flat file right on the boat. takes less then a minute to hone a hook if you have done it enough. If the hook is bent or straightened then off it comes and on with a new one.