11-08-2003, 09:08 PM
[cool]There are a whole bunch of inexpensive hook sharpening stones available. Most are inexpensive whetstone material. The little diamond hook sharpening files cut faster, but do not leave as smooth an edge. There are many small steel files you can get to do the job, and an emory board...or even a piece of fine grit cloth... will do. Anything that is hard enough to cut the steel and sharpen the point.
I have carried a little "point and gap" tool, from the auto repair shop for a lot of years. In the days before electronic ignitions they were common for tuning up cars...filing the ignition points. The ridges are small, for fine work, and it is thin...to fit into small hook gaps. More importantly, the steel is hard enough to file hook points quickly and smoothly.
I have never been able to understand someone who would spend a lot of money on tackle and bait, the drive to the water and the food and other necessities to go fishing. Then, they buy cheap hooks with dull points and complain because they lose fish. Some of the high priced hooks are sharp enough to use right out of the package, but it is still a good idea to touch them up once in awhile. The lower end hooks should never be used before putting a few strokes on the hook point. On a day when you only get a couple of hits...and don't hook either one...it may be your hooks and not your luck that is to blame.
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I have carried a little "point and gap" tool, from the auto repair shop for a lot of years. In the days before electronic ignitions they were common for tuning up cars...filing the ignition points. The ridges are small, for fine work, and it is thin...to fit into small hook gaps. More importantly, the steel is hard enough to file hook points quickly and smoothly.
I have never been able to understand someone who would spend a lot of money on tackle and bait, the drive to the water and the food and other necessities to go fishing. Then, they buy cheap hooks with dull points and complain because they lose fish. Some of the high priced hooks are sharp enough to use right out of the package, but it is still a good idea to touch them up once in awhile. The lower end hooks should never be used before putting a few strokes on the hook point. On a day when you only get a couple of hits...and don't hook either one...it may be your hooks and not your luck that is to blame.
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