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Hook sharpening tips

by James Furness |
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A ‘STICKY’ sharp hook is the foundation of any good carp rig. Without it, the rest of your set-up is pretty much redundant. By finely honing your hookpoints using a small hand vice, file and eyeglass you’ll get more bites than you would by using a hook straight out of the packet, especially on highly- pressured venues where the carp are adept at ‘getting away with it’.

However, there’s definitely a right and a wrong way to sharpen hooks, and it can take a bit of practice to master the art. In this article we show you how to craft perfect points, and also reveal a trio of crafty hacks for keeping them in tip-top condition once they’ve been ‘doctored! Remember a better hook hold will result in you landing more carp.

Step by step guide on sharpening hooks

STEP ONE:

You’ll need a file and/or sharpening ‘stones’ (essentially files of a finer grade), an eyeglass and a small hand vice for holding the hook while you work on it. JAG Products produce a brilliant all-in-one set.
You’ll need a file and/or sharpening ‘stones’ (essentially files of a finer grade), an eyeglass and a small hand vice for holding the hook while you work on it. JAG Products produce a brilliant all-in-one set.

STEP TWO:

Place the shank of the hook into the vice and turn the wheel to secure it firmly in place.
Place the shank of the hook into the vice and turn the wheel to secure it firmly in place.

STEP THREE:

Put the file on the top edge, opposite the barb. Make six smooth strokes towards the point.
Put the file on the top edge, opposite the barb. Make six smooth strokes towards the point.

STEP FOUR:

Next, repeat the process on both sides of the hook. NEVER touch the inside of the point.
Next, repeat the process on both sides of the hook. NEVER touch the inside of the point.

STEP FIVE:

Use the red sharpening stone to hone the point further. Repeat with the green stone to finish.
Use the red sharpening stone to hone the point further. Repeat with the green stone to finish.

How to protect your sharpened hook points

Prevent rusting

Once some of the outer coating has been removed, the points are more fragile and more prone to rusting. Depending on the make and pattern, it can only take a few hours for the points to rust. To prevent this, before casting out, dip the points in Vaseline or, even better, coconut oil!

THE BEST FISHING GADGETS MAKE THINGS LIKE SHARPENING HOOKS MUCH EASIER.

Keep them separated

Because the points have been finely honed, they are far more prone to damage, especially if you put them back in the packet together. To prevent this happening, push slim cigarette filter tips on to the points first.

AREN'T SURE WHAT HOOK PATTERN TO USE? CHECK OUT OUR EXPERT ARTICLE FOR SOME GREAT ADVICE.

Store them safely

An even better option is to get yourself a small box, like those used by fly anglers to store their flies. These only cost a few quid and typically have a soft foam insert which is perfect for protecting your perfectly- sharpened hooks. There’s no way the hooks can move around in transit and become damaged, meaning they’ll be in perfect condition when the time comes to use them.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING THE BEST BITE ALARMS TO ALERT YOU WHEN YOU HOOK A FISH.

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