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How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by racepics <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=racepics' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/4/2015, 8:15 pm

I was going to tack this on to the "hookup rates" thread below, but it probably deserves it own.
As the title asks, how often do you replace your hooks? Or more to the point (sorry) how do you decide that your hooks are too blunt, and need replacing?
I tend to use the fingernail test. That is to drag the point across a fingernail. If it leaves a scratch or digs in, then its probably ok, otherwise it gets binned.
Of course if you weren't paying nearly $1 each for them maybe you would just bin them after so many uses regardless.
Some days you seem to get lots of bites that just dont stick, planting a seed of doubt in your mind as to whether your hooks are not sharp enough.
How do you decide when its time to replace?

http://www.paniasurfcasting.org
http://www.surfcaster.co.nz

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by The druid <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=The+druid' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/4/2015, 9:59 pm, in reply to "How often do you replace your hooks?"

I confess I don't pay a fortune for hooks, and I change them every trip, because I usually prepare new traces each time, however, saying that I bought some C Point with a Xmas voucher so I'll be hanging on to them as long as possible. I'll still change the traces every trip, I like to know my knots are new.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/4/2015, 10:23 pm, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

I normally use two rods and for each rod I have the trace in use plus a ready baited spare hanging on the tripod. This means in a usual session, as I always use a main and keeper, I have eight hooks on the go.

I guess I may be lucky but a few years ago a company brought out a special file, it is like a small Biro pen, however, the round blade has a groove set in it, this was designed for sharpening dull hooks.

If fishing over sand dull hooks are not really an issue, but on foul ground or even those beaches with unforgiving stones, it's easy to lose a hooks penetrating ability. I find a quick touch with the file soon puts the hook back in action.

These files may still be available but sorry, I can't offer any advice on where to get them.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Rex HB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Rex+HB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/4/2015, 10:53 pm, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Before every field weekend usually. Then I keep the same traces until the next one. Essentially that means a hook gets two or three outings from me and then its binned.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/4/2015, 5:46 pm, in reply to "How often do you replace your hooks?"

This is the tool I wrote about in the early post. You may be lucky and find one, they are very handy to prolong the life of a hook. It is called an Easy Lap Westminster.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by fringsy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=fringsy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/4/2015, 10:38 pm, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

I saw one of those easy lap sharpeners a few months ago but didn't think I needed one. Haven't seen one since, and all my mini files have since corroded. Hangler, have you sold your veritas rods? Did you change the two lower guides for K guides or similar?

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 30/4/2015, 12:47 am, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Hi Fringsy, The Veritas rods are sold, I also sold both of the baitrunners 12000D's. This was the fastest trade I have ever experienced on Trademe, listed at 9:30am, sold at 9:35am, (buy now) money in my account and 1:00pm, on the courier at 3:00pm. The guy who bought them is absolutely wrapped, told me he thought they were brand new.

I now have two Akios Scora 100's long casts, these reels are truly special.

The only guides I changed on the Veritas rods were replacements for the mysteriously broken ones, two on each rod. $60.00 for replacements, fortunately I know how to do whipping and epoxy finishing myself.

The Lap sharpeners are excellent, if you can find one then buy it. From memory mine came from a shop that sold engineering supplies in Hastings.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by jaypeegee <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=jaypeegee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 30/4/2015, 9:46 am, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Those Scora reels are awesome. Be a good change from the 12000d I imagine

Regarding the hook sharpener - If you cannot find the lap option try a diamond file from Mitre10 or Bunnings
They will be flat but may help

I am curious as to how sharp a hook can be made physically versus chemically but I guess that is down to technique.

Lastly, I have read that a blunt circle hook is more efficient than a sharp one. Counter intuitive to me (and begs the question why are they sold sharp)
Any one here care to add their 5 cents?

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 30/4/2015, 10:58 am, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Jaypeegee, with regard the little hook sharpener. I believe the term sharpen may be a little misleading. What the sharpener actually does is remove a bur should the point be turned hitting something hard. I believe the hooks come as sharp as they can be and any effort to improve on that would be fraught with danger.

If you purchase a knife it is usually very sharp and then dulls with use. By using one of these modern so called sharpeners they actually grind metal from the blade and over time are actually wearing the blade our. Now put that same blade in the hand of a craftsman he will hone the blade on an oil stone and install a true edge.

I have never heard of a dull hook catching better than a sharp hook but there are all sorts of theories with angling. My guess would be along the same line as the best rigs: if you have confidence in what you are doing - it usually works.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by fringsy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=fringsy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 30/4/2015, 11:03 pm, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Thanks Hangler. Glad they sold so quickly, well Judy is anyway.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Hangler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Hangler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/5/2015, 12:08 am, in reply to "Re: How often do you replace your hooks?"

Fringsy, I am really going to p**s you off, they sold to a lady.

Re: How often do you replace your hooks?

Posted by Razz <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Razz' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/5/2015, 10:08 am, in reply to "How often do you replace your hooks?"

I can't express how important I think hook sharpness is. Good quality honed and chemically sharpened hooks are my preference.
I have considerable experience with sharpening metals, and I always check the sharpness of hooks before I cast (with my thumb). I have a good quality grooved wet-stone which I use on all but new hooks before they get baited.

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