Im curious

 

What are your preferred methods of cleaning rust off of hooks?

 

or do you not bother with it?

I don't bother - they're cheap enough that I just replace them

Just replace them

Toss them. No reason to risk the fish of a lifetime to save a couple bucks. 

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Toss them. No reason to risk the fish of a lifetime to save a couple bucks. 

Ditto. 

What about spinnerbait hooks? As careful as I have been with storing my spinnerbaits, some of my older ones have a little rust on the hook. Thoughts?

Wire brush. I invented rust 

4 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

What about spinnerbait hooks? As careful as I have been with storing my spinnerbaits, some of my older ones have a little rust on the hook. Thoughts?

If it looks to be just surface rust - a vinegar soak (couple hours) and a bit of work with a diamond file should take care of it...don't forget to resharpen the point.

 

Once that's done - take a good look through a magnifier - if you see pitting on the shank...forget it, the rusting has burrowed into the hook and it's time to replace the lure.

Just now, TnRiver46 said:

Wire brush. I invented rust 

Your trailer is a tribute to that.

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If it looks to be just surface rust - a vinegar soak (couple hours) and a bit of work with a diamond file should take care of it...don't forget to resharpen the point.

 

Once that's done - take a good look through a magnifier - if you see pitting on the shank...forget it, the rusting has burrowed into the hook and it's time to replace the lure.

Your trailer is a tribute to that.

In my defense I inherited that 1957 trailer that was stored in two different forests for a couple decades. And I store it outside uncovered. Still rolling 

 

(my big boat gets the carport )

21 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If it looks to be just surface rust - a vinegar soak (couple hours) and a bit of work with a diamond file should take care of it...don't forget to resharpen the point.

 

Once that's done - take a good look through a magnifier - if you see pitting on the shank...forget it, the rusting has burrowed into the hook and it's time to replace the lure.

Thanks very much ken

If it’s just minor surface rust I’ll take fine 1000 grit sandpaper to it, otherwise to the bin it goes.

Ain't dealth with rusty hooks in yrs because of today's technology & I keep a close eye on em. 

 

At first sign of surface rust I spray WD40 & rub it vigorously with my thumb & forefinger. If that doesn't work it's BER!

   Some people call me "The Helicopter Man". They think I'm nuts. (Well, I am, but that's a different subject ?)  Before changing lures, I let out about 3 feet of line and whirl the lure around my head several times. This dries the lure off sufficiently, and then I can put it away with no worries. I haven't had rust on any of my lures in years.

   Not only that, but other fishermen give me plenty of elbow room on the shore. 

   ? ? ?             jj

If it's just very light surface rust, I'll try to clean it off, otherwise I throw them away. Fishing with rusty hooks is kind of like using old rotten line. Both are well worth keeping fresh and new.

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

Ain't dealth with rusty hooks in yrs because of today's technology & I keep a close eye on em. 

 

At first sign of surface rust I spray WD40 & rub it vigorously with my thumb & forefinger. If that doesn't work it's BER!

^^^this^^^
If it were me, I would remove the blades and components and toss the rest.  Now you either have replacement blades for your spinnerbaits or you can create your own under spins with the smaller blades.