Hook sharpening....

[RMNDIL]

1 hook = 1 fish. Radically sharpening it achieves one thing but renders the hook useless once that is achieved. Longer, thinner, sharper = weaker and MUCH easier to burr. But it's already done its job by then - pricked the fish and hooked. There is no striking to get it 'home'.

 

[steve2]

I read recently that one reason carp anglers back in the 50's'60's and early 70's sharpened hooks was that the rods weren't powerful enough to set the hooks we used. Rods like the Mk1V in cane were not that good at long range.

 

[markcw]

If I am feeder fishing for the carp at Newlands and i feel as if the hook has lost its sharpness so to speak, it only takes less than a minute to put a new hooklength on using the speed fit connectors on the feeders,

 

[108831]

Lol,you haven't watched the video Mark,the changing of the hook isn't what's the issue here,the hook isnt sharp enough out of the packet,because of the sheer bulk manufacturing process,also you pick the rod up and put pressure on,these sitting fish wouldn't give you the opportunity...

 

[markcw]

Nope not watched the video, but seeing the majority of my fishing is using small hooks, largest is a 14, I dont feel the need to sharpen a hook, I always check the new hook against my nail , but with the Guru ones i am using they should come with free sticking plasters. I had a hook sharpener many years ago but never got on with it.

 

[Philip]

Not sure I watched the right video...but I dont think hook sharpening done by Carp anglers fishing self hooking rigs is going to be very relevant for the majority on fishing Magic who fish for bags of fish and strike bites. Its probably not very relevant for most anglers actually.

Many of the specialist Carp anglers these Videos are aimed at are fishing for a single bite. They want to try and convert every pick up into a self hooked fish so hooks are a one shot business. I doubt very much the likes of Adam Penning, Terrry hearn, Dave Lane and so on use the same hook for more than 1 fish or even session. They are waiting days or weeks between each bite and its a case of tiny % improvement in something could make the difference between a hooked fish or a blank.

As an aside, on still waters if you are worried about a ultra sharp hook being burred on the bottom, gravel or something else, popping it up, even a tiny amount can help to avoid this. Its also the reason why I go to a great deal of trouble not to move the lead when I tighten up on a self hooking rig. I inch they last few turns tight by hand/clutch as I dont want to drag the hook across the bottom and risk turning the point over.

The point here is that there is a great deal more to self hooking rigs than many people realize and its far from just the sling out and wait for the buzzer to sound method some may have you believe.

Really this is a discussion probably better suited to the Carp forum...although there is hardly anyone who posts there unfortunately.

 

[markcw]

Not sure I watched the right video...but I dont think hook sharpening done by Carp anglers fishing self hooking rigs is going to be very relevant for the majority on fishing Magic who fish for bags of fish and strike bites. Its probably not very relevant for most anglers actually.

Many of the specialist Carp anglers these Videos are aimed at are fishing for a single bite. They want to try and convert every pick up into a self hooked fish so hooks are a one shot business. I doubt very much the likes of Adam Penning, Terrry hearn, Dave Lane and so on use the same hook for more than 1 fish or even session. They are waiting days or weeks between each bite and its a case of tiny % improvement in something could make the difference between a hooked fish or a blank.

As an aside, on still waters if you are worried about a ultra sharp hook being burred on the bottom, gravel or something else, popping it up, even a tiny amount can help to avoid this. Its also the reason why I go to a great deal of trouble not to move the lead when I tighten up on a self hooking rig. I inch they last few turns tight by hand/clutch as I dont want to drag the hook across the bottom and risk turning the point over.

The point here is that there is a great deal more to self hooking rigs than many people realize and why when you see people describe bolt rigs as just something you sling out and wait for the buzzer to sound, they are just demonstrating that they really dont know that much about the subject and probably are general anglers fishing for bites and striking fish.

Really this is a discussion probably better suited to the Carp forum...although there is hardly anyone who posts there unfortunately.

As Tommy Pickering says " Dont move the feeder"
And he knows a bit about fishing.

 

[seth49]

I carry one of the little diamond nail files, if a hook needs sharpening, as said just the larger carp hooks need this occasionally, the guru QM1s I mainly use are very sharp, it’s a good job they are barbless.

 

[108831]

I wasn't putting up the video forward as a basis for individual angling situations,more as a matter of interesting reasoning and explanation,i've used stones at times through the years and always carry one in every tackle box I own,but normally as Mark says a new hook solves my issues,but boilie fishing,listening to Pennings reasonings,when enough underwater footage shows carp not bolting trying to shake the hook out is intriguing,whether we like it or not

 

[rayner]

I have never sharpened a hook, I am a serial hook buyer. I buy a couple of packets most visits to the tackle shop. Like Mark, I do not need hooks to be bigger than a 14s hooks are normally 18s or 16s. the only time I use bigger hooks is when I fish an 8mm expander on the bomb.
If anglers feel they need to sharpen hooks then go for it. All hooks I buy are chemically sharpened I doubt it would be possible to make them sharper. If they do ever have the point turned I've never noticed. I rarely snag the bottom most of my fishing is up in the water or on troublesome silt.

 

[108831]

Gary,I carry more hooks than most tackle shops,but I repeat,listening to Penning talking about the way he does it and why is very interesting,i've watched it three times,better than the F1 the weekend and no mistake...

 

[rayner]

OK, Alan, I believe you. Without prejudice, I will stick with my plan that has worked for a long time. If you have found a youtube vid that you can watch three times you are better than me. I think youtube is worse than hospital soaps. I think I would draw the line at watching a chap sharpen hooks.

 

[108831]

No,i'm not saying what you do isn't right(I bloody do it too),but if watched it is really interesting,doesn't matter whether you agree with doing it or not,youtube has some great angling videos on it,an awful lot more that are tripe mind...

 

[rayner]

Alan, I will search out this Penning chap. I promise you I will never ever in my life sharpen a hook. I will let you know what I think. If it has a look of wet paint I will stop it before it dries.
If they were hundreds of pounds a packet I perhaps may but hooks are only pence each.

 

[108831]

Hahaha,watch the video till it reaches the hook sharpening bit,as there is waffle about lines,etc first...he doesn't sharpen a hook when it's blunt,he sharpens them straight from the packet and his hooks would cost around £4 for ten....

 

[rayner]

I am a serial spinner on of boring bits. I can't bear waffle or bad music.
I will try to stay awake.

 

[markcw]

A lot of feeder anglers in a match will have hooklengths ready baited up for speed of casting back in, unhook fish,change hooklength ,recast in possibly just over a minute, saves sharpening if a hook goes blunt.

 

[108831]

Again,this guy sharpens new hooks,they are not sharp enough...chemically sharpened ones...

 

[rayner]

Alan, if I need counselling after watching hook sharpening you're paying.

 

[markcw]

Again,this guy sharpens new hooks,they are not sharp enough...

What's that Alan ? ?