Let's say you have your favorite jerkbait with over 20 fish on it.

 

Or you're throwing a wacky worm and have caught a good 10 or so on it.

 

What about a bladed jig?

 

How dull are those hooks getting?

 

Do you replace them?

 

Obviously you can swap out the trebles on a hardbait.

 

You're gonna toss a single wacky style hook.

 

What about a bladed jig or like a swimjig? Do you sharpen it somehow? Keep using? Or toss them?

 

Lures are so gosh darn expensive now but the thought of losing your PB from a dull hook makes a man ponder.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I sharpen my hooks. I prefer a flat #4 cut Swiss Pattern file. 

If it's a good hook then I will sharpen them. If it's a bad hook I'll throw it away/replace it. I keep a file in my bag so I can sharpen when necessary. It has a course side, and a finer side. It works well enough for me.

Each basshead's situation is different.

In my fishing, I'll sharpen single hooks bait hooks until I'm not super confident that it's going to get the job done.

When that's no longer the case, I replace the bait.

I will also admit that I am a HUGE FAN of redundancy.

So I always have several of my top producing baits on hand.

That usually includes at least two rigs with the same bait ready to go.

Bite windows for plus size brown bass can and often are pretty small.

Spending a few minutes sharpening a hook, 

could mean the difference between a new PB and not.

I can put a solid point on almost any quality hook

but if it takes more than two or three strokes of the file

on the water to get that done,

I'm simply picking up the next ready rig and making that next cast.

YMMV

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Sharpen them first - I've done this for 50+ years. Yes, there will eventually  come a time when sharpening isn't feasible, but a single hook (wacky, worm, aberdeen, etc) and trebles can be sharpened a decent number of times, and the bigger hooks on spinner/chatters/jigs can withstand even more 'touch ups' at the tip. When to replace is a judgement call on your part...I think A-Jay would replace hooks/lures before I would based on his...ummm....ya, that.

 

 

 I try to check all hooks on everything I plan on throwing before every outing. 

I’ll touch up all trebles if needed (usually the front only most often)
Since I only throw Trokar’s now for all single hooks presentations, if the point goes bad I just replace it. 
 

 

 

Mike

 

28 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 When to replace is a judgement call on your part...I think A-Jay would replace hooks/lures before I would based on his history of catching Giant Bass.

Fixed that one for you Buddy

A-Jay

Soooooooo looks like I need to buy something to sharpen hooks.

 

Suggestions?

13 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Soooooooo looks like I need to buy something to sharpen hooks.

 

Suggestions?

I use Rapala’s, it’s cheap and it works 

Any type of a stone one will do. 
The way you do it is more important than what you use

 

 

 

 

Mike

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Soooooooo looks like I need to buy something to sharpen hooks.

 

Suggestions?

This ones been putting a great point on hooks for me for a while now.

Can touch up a blade as well.

 

https://www.amazon.com/DMT-FFHWF-Diafold-Diamond-Whetstone/dp/B00004WFTQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

A-Jay

I asked the camp chef for a stone on a recent trip.  the other fisherman-guest looked at me like weird.  one dude asked why I dont change the hooks out.   with the right stone, I can get them into surgery needle sharpness levels.    I change them if they bend any.   I feel they are "work hardened " at that point and will fail me at the worst possible moment.

 

now if the bait came with OEM hooks from some suck company.  I change them right away.  

Just now, A-Jay said:

This ones been putting a great point on hooks for me for a while now.

Can touch up a blade as well.

 

https://www.amazon.com/DMT-FFHWF-Diafold-Diamond-Whetstone/dp/B00004WFTQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

A-Jay

I have this one.  I feel the divots are actually divots and will cause me some headache if the point drops in.  if I do use it, I try my darn-dest to make sure the hook point ride inbetween the dots. 

I use the travel version for fishing. It’s been to the Amazon. 
 

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Let's say you have your favorite jerkbait with over 20 fish on it.

 

Or you're throwing a wacky worm and have caught a good 10 or so on it.

 

What about a bladed jig?

 

How dull are those hooks getting?

 

Do you replace them?

 

Obviously you can swap out the trebles on a hardbait.

 

You're gonna toss a single wacky style hook.

 

What about a bladed jig or like a swimjig? Do you sharpen it somehow? Keep using? Or toss them?

 

Lures are so gosh darn expensive now but the thought of losing your PB from a dull hook makes a man ponder.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

For stock hooks (and split rings) I replace them on most hard baits. I use a file to sharpen them, but if they bend out more than a smidge, or it's getting harder and harder for it to hold a good point, I swap it. Quality hooks aren't a crazy cost IMO, a couple of bucks and they will last years. The peace of mind alone when hooking into a plus sized bass and knowing that I don't have to question "mystery" hooks is worth it.

 

For single hook presentations I just sharpen as needed. I've never needed to toss one for hook issues yet, but I guess end of life could happen to one before I snagged it or something.

 

As for "how dull," the fingernail test works well for me. If it doesn't bite and just drags against my nail, I sharpen it.

 

I use the 4" Dr. Slick hook sharpening file.

 

It's nice and small so I'm able to manipulate it really well with those tiny trebles while still attached to the lure.

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Soooooooo looks like I need to buy something to sharpen hooks.

 

Suggestions?

The diamond file on some leatherman's are great  at sharpening hooks. 

I sharpened all hooks in the dead of winter and do reel maintenance as well.......It's an all day job.

I use to sharpen them but gave up on it unless it was obsoletely necessary. Most stock hooks on baits are not that great. If it is a special bait that is just worn down like a bladed jig or an OSP spinnerbait, I try to judge the overall condition of the lure and then decide to either replace it or sharpen the hook. 

I do a bit of both. I rarely will swap hooks on a new bait.

 

Mostly I sharpen treble hooks as they need it. I rarely will sharpen a worm hook, though I sharpened one just earlier. It just depends.

 

I use a DMT diamond sharpener most often, but I don't have one with the groove. I need one, as I catch the hooks on the little holes sometimes.

I sharpen all my hooks fresh out of the box. Out on the lake I carry a whet rock for quick touch ups. Sometimes if the point gets rolled a feller gots no choice but to change the hook out. 

19 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Each basshead's situation is different.

In my fishing, I'll sharpen single hooks bait hooks until I'm not super confident that it's going to get the job done.

When that's no longer the case, I replace the bait.

I will also admit that I am a HUGE FAN of redundancy.

So I always have several of my top producing baits on hand.

That usually includes at least two rigs with the same bait ready to go.

Bite windows for plus size brown bass can and often are pretty small.

Spending a few minutes sharpening a hook, 

could mean the difference between a new PB and not.

I can put a solid point on almost any quality hook

but if it takes more than two or three strokes of the file

on the water to get that done,

I'm simply picking up the next ready rig and making that next cast.

YMMV

Fish Hard

A-Jay

I just want to say, THANKS for getting the bait monkey fired up.  He is running around the house screaming I told you so.  The phrase multiple rods always gets him reaching for the credit card.  The thought of  multiple identical set ups almost makes him cry.  At least you didn't post a picture, that always makes it worse.

24 minutes ago, king fisher said:

 The thought of  multiple identical set ups almost makes him cry.  At least you didn't post a picture, that always makes it worse.

 

Oh I've seen a pic.

 

I saw one of a canoe with what looked like a good 5 rods all with chatterbaits on them. LOL