View Full Version : Which is better?
MicroFish
07-11-2002, 07:40 PM
What does the better job of keeping your hooks sticky sharp-----a hook hone or file?
Now that I'm thinking of it---does anyone know what ever happened to HOOKSET?
I like a hone but both work.
crabbait
07-11-2002, 08:50 PM
The hone may work best on small hooks and flies but the file is the tool of choice for salmon/steelhead hooks. Yes, proper technique is required or you will take off too much metal in a hurry.
skeezer
07-11-2002, 10:03 PM
taking off to much metal is like using one of those one pull knife sharpeners :hoboy:
FishinMission
07-12-2002, 01:14 PM
I'll vote for the FILE .
Mark
Pilar
07-12-2002, 01:33 PM
Use a new Gammie or file the dull hook!
Flatfish
07-12-2002, 08:59 PM
The fact that you wonder which is best indicates that you have sharp hooks.Good for you.
I'm a file Gammie/WM sharpen them out of the box kinda guy.Whatever works for you.
See you on the rivers.
Mark.
MicroFish
07-14-2002, 01:44 PM
So one of the things I bought at Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday was a hook file---first one I ever owned (hone man). I haven't a clue
how to use it & I'll probably ruin a few hooks experimenting :depressed:
I guess nobody knows about hookset, huh.
RichH
07-14-2002, 02:04 PM
I like a file. My technique is generally 3 swipes, 1 on each of the outward facing directions, the last being the side away from the point. I do this with all hooks before tying them up. No, I don't use gami's.
I like a EZ Lap diamond hone. I take off to much with a file.
pirk fan
07-14-2002, 04:47 PM
Definitely a hook file, although a final touch with a diamond hone really puts the finishing touch on the hook. You can avoid taking off too much metal with the file by just taking lighter strokes as you approach a nice triangualted point
crabbait
07-14-2002, 08:28 PM
Right-handed file technique: Hold the hook by the shank between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand with the hook up and pointing away from you ( make a fist, now grab the hook by the shank facing up and away).
Place the file on the upper left side of the hook at a shallow angle and push the file away from you. Two strokes. Now duplicate the angle on the right upper side. Two strokes. You have now changed the shape of the hook from round to V (triangle).
Now place the file under the tip and nearly parallel with the shank and make one very gentle stroke away from you. Now check the tip for sharpness.
In no time you will know how hard to stroke and how much metal to take off of each hook.
I like to tie my mooching rigs with the old style 6/0 Mustads. They really need a good filing to get up for the job. I go through a ton of them and tie and sharpen in advance.
DISCLAIMER: Owner Octupus truncated point hooks are scary sharpe right out of the package and cannot be sharpened by any method that I am aware of.
Good luck. :wink:
[ 07-14-2002, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]
Owner cutting point hooks, they don't need to be sharpened. Like a razor out of the package
Fish Hunter
07-15-2002, 07:27 AM
Depends on hook size. Most of my fishing now is with hooks bigger than #6 and I use a file. When I fly fish with hooks #6 and smaller I prefer a diamond hone.
Originally posted by FishinMission:
I'll vote for the FILE .
Mark<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Can't argue with Mark. He is a salmon catching machine!
Nanook
07-15-2002, 01:56 PM
OH NO! Mark's very own fan club president is back! :grin: :grin: Hi Chewy. Wecome back.
Rick
Salmonator
07-15-2002, 02:28 PM
I know old hookset is out there somewhere. Just caught an internet glimpse of him the other day. He's ready to go out and hit the Albacore so I guess he's doing ok :grin:
DRUNK COWBOY
07-15-2002, 04:23 PM
A file is the only way to go. :cheers:
husker
07-15-2002, 04:58 PM
there are 4 choices....
1) a file which u use properly or be prepared to waste a hook or 2
2)use a hone (i dont like this choice)
3)buy owner hooks
4) buy gamie hooks
MicroFish
07-15-2002, 05:05 PM
Finally!!
Thanx for the info on Hookset, Salmonator.
He seemed like a regular guy---just seemed to disappear from our site.
BigSpinner
07-15-2002, 05:20 PM
I would have to go with the file on that one. You can have an ok rod and reel and still catch fish but if you dont have good sharp hooks then you are in bad shape because thats the only thing holding you to the fish. Just my two cents, good luck and good fishing.
Jeremy,