I've searched and read plenty about rust prevention and rust removal, but can't find anything that addresses this specific question. 

 

If you're starting fresh with a new box and some new baits, what do you do with your old baits that have a little rust on them? I'm switching most of my hard bait boxes over now and added a fair number of new jerkbaits and crankbaits. I want to combine my old baits with the new, but some have rust on the hook hangers and permanent hardware. I don't want to introduce rust to these new baits, so I'm wondering if there's something I can do to get rid of the rust, prevent it from returning, and prevent it from spreading. Obviously, I'll remove and swap rusted hooks, but I don't think I can do that for the hook hangers or line ties. 

I use a dremel tool with a brass brush for removing small bits of corrosion from everything from guns to fishing lures. If the brass isn't strong enough to knock it off a steel brush will work. The good thing about a dremel tool is that you can buy attachment kits with infinite options. I use the jewelers brushes on small detail work like lures and such. After removal really the best thing you can do to combat rust is to never put away your tackle wet.

Personally I don’t mess with rusted hooks, snaps etc. 

I try to take every precaution, but if I notice rust on any metal I just toss and replace 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I stopped storing wet baits and oxidation challenges mostly resolved.

Had to come up with a way to safely hang wet baits to dry before final storage. 

And that's all baits,  treble hook and skirted. Some bassheads hang them from the inside/under side of hatch lids.

Others use or drill small ventilation holes in storage boxes. The are a few storage solutions that come pre drilled.

Super top end rigs have compartmental fan ventilation.

In the end I rarely retain Actually rusted baits. 

A-Jay

 

I'd either toss 'em, or if you wanna keep them, keep them in a separate box with other rusted baits.

 

If the hook hangers are really rusted, I wouldn't want one breaking off while fighting a big fish. 

I'm very particular about not putting my tackle away wet... now. But I hate to throw away many $100s of dollars of baits that just have surface rust on a hook hanger or something minor. 

 

I think getting the rust off will be easier than keeping it off. I wonder if there's something that can be sprayed on them that will prevent rust without compromising the paint/plastic or covering it in a negative scent.

After fishing in the rain I always open all storage compartments in the boat and tackle box and run a large dehumidifier in the garage.

Rusted baits and hooks get tossed.

I will polish the blades on a spinnerbait though.

if it is just a little spot on a big single hook I'll usually scrap it off with a thumbnail or small nail file.  if it is a split ring or treble and it rusted because I wasn't paying attention and left it wet then I just swap the hardware.  If it is the hook hanger itself, then a dremmel brush or nail file will sort it.

You might be able to get away with using the scotch brite green scour pads. That's worked for me, even on lures I've found. Alternately maybe some 00 steel wool.

 

As far as spraying something... obviously the key is to get the water off. I would say give all your lures a good shake to get off excess water and give them a shot of wd40 at the hook areas.

 

nope.  i clean them, sharpen them, or toss them.  i figured i owe to the fish i am trying to fool.   plus i dont want to stick myself with anything but the best either. 

If I can't get all the rust off - it gets tossed. I'd rather replace a few trebles/hooks/rings now than all of them later.

my 3 part rust response...

 

1. keep my tetanus vaccination up to date

2. don't put away any bait until completely dry

3. don't let a little rust deter me from fishing the bait

 

oe

Rust isn't contagious. You're not "introducing rust to the new baits". Keep the water out and you'll be fine.

Rust does stain adjacent lures.

Rust is iron oxides corrosion product. No iron metal content no rust. 
Hooks are the greatest potential to have iron content and most hooks today are nickel plated to prevent corrosion. Sharpening hooks removes the protective coating. If you see rusted hooks replace them or clean and dry them after removing the rust and re sharpening.

To remove rust stains from lures remove the hooks and soak the lure in warm water with baking soda scrub with old tooth brush rinse and dry.

Spray the reshaped hook with WD-40 and let dry before installing.

Tom

Pretty much exactly what Ajay said.

7 hours ago, JHoss said:

 wonder if there's something that can be sprayed on them that will prevent rust without compromising the paint/plastic or covering it in a negative scent.

Well a bunch of fish attractants are oil based...wonder if I quick application would slow rust? 

I bank fish. And used to kayak/canoe a lot. I’ve always brought a gallon zip lock bag with me. wet lures go in there for the day till I get home to let them dry out. I don’t save rusty tackle tho honestly. 

Clean the rust off of the hangers then coat / seal them with clear nail polish.

 

To prevent future rust (5 Gram Premium Silica Gel Packets, Desiccant Packs for Storage, Moisture Absorbers) from Amazon....100 bags are $12.

WD-40 Water Displacrment was created for this  purpose. Air your friend controlling corrosion.

Tom

 

16 hours ago, WRB said:

Rust does stain adjacent lures.

Rust is iron oxides corrosion product. No iron metal content no rust. 
Hooks are the greatest potential to have iron content and most hooks today are nickel plated to prevent corrosion. Sharpening hooks removes the protective coating. If you see rusted hooks replace them or clean and dry them after removing the rust and re sharpening.

To remove rust stains from lures remove the hooks and soak the lure in warm water with baking soda scrub with old tooth brush rinse and dry.

Spray the reshaped hook with WD-40 and let dry before installing.

Tom

Thanks Tom. This seems like the most complete solution. The smell of WD-40 makes me nervous in how bass will react to it, but I'm sure over time it will wear off. 

 

11 hours ago, Hoosierman said:

Clean the rust off of the hangers then coat / seal them with clear nail polish.

 

To prevent future rust (5 Gram Premium Silica Gel Packets, Desiccant Packs for Storage, Moisture Absorbers) from Amazon....100 bags are $12.

The nail polish is a great idea if the WD-40 doesn't do the trick. I've already got those packets and have used them since last year. Just trying to deal with the damage done before I started using them.

 

As a lot of folks suggested, some of the cheaper baits will just get tossed. But I refuse to throw away $25 vision 110s over some surface rust on the hook hangers. I don't mind tossing a KVD 1.5, but when it's 30 or more it's a little harder to swallow. I'll try to save as many as I can. Until I get everything cleaned up, the older baits will continue to live in their own boxes. 

I live in a subtropical rain forest, quite literally. My life is rust. I wire brush things I want to save and chuck the rest. Always feel bad for the garbage man hauling off 75 rusted hooks 

Get some white toothpaste and a toothbrush, then scour the hook hangers and even the body of the bait if it is stained.  The grit in the toothpaste will remove most of the surface rust without damaging anything.  If you see pitting or large pieces of metal breaking off, then it may be time to retire the bait.  I suppose if you have enough baits with rust, it would be worth using electrolysis first and if there is any rust left try scrubbing the baits with toothpaste.  The grit may scratch the clearcoat, but its nothing that fish wouldn't do.

I may be wrong but don't the hook hangers just screw in?

 

If so, replace them too.

 

Fishing Lure Screw Eyes Closed Eye Stainless Steel

3 hours ago, Hoosierman said:

don't the hook hangers just screw in?

 

 

Not on any of the plastic baits I used to help build...