A sharpening stone works well too. For trebles, I grip the middle with pliers and sharpen each point. Test the point by sticking it on your thumbnail If it sticks, it's ready, if it drags, it's not. Sound good Randy?
I've caught THOUSANDS of Bass since the 70'ds! NEVER sharpened ONE hook! Yea for me right? No! How many have I lost by not doing so? Hundreds if not thousands! This is great advice I wish I'd heeded over the years!!!
As usual, really informative video. You always have great tips that people either “don’t know about” or have “completely forgotten about”. No fancy camera work or sound effects, just great fishing facts. Thanks 🙏
Finally! I know I suggested this at least 3 or 4 times. FYI About 35 years ago I bought a hook sharpening stone. It’s about 2”L x1/2”W glued to a small piece of wood and has a small groove on each side. I just lay the hook point in the groove and it’s deep enough to allow for angling the hook at 45° on both sides and at 90°. It’s quick and easy and fits in my hook/weight box. #feelthetug
I love sharpening hooks, it makes a HUGE difference on literally everything. I went from a terrible hook up ratio on frogs even when they choked it to a great one because my hooks had been dull as a rock and then I sharpened them so much that they would stick to my fingernail without hardly any pressure.
I keep a diamond hone in my tackle bag. I prefer the diamond hone due to the rusting issues with flat files and breaking issues with sharpening stones. Yes, it's one of those fancy retractable diamond hones by Kraken Bass. It's compact, never rusts, and won't break. Thank you for sharing 🍺🎣
Diamond shape point. When I was a kid, I got a fly tying kit so I could tie jigs. The kit came with a video and the guy gave the same instructions on sharpening a hook. I've done it like that ever since. Works great.
Thats really helpful randy. I have a sharpener and i always had an issue as to which angles to sharpen. I would do bottom and top and never really had a set system. Now I do!!!!
Great food for thought. I carry a knife sharpener & a Leatherman tool (with a file) l on my hip ALWAYS & have never thought to use them on my hooks. Sounds like a good winter project idea.
I keep an old small stone-about 1"×3". I have had it so long that I've worn groves in both sides. The groove on one side got so deep that it lost it's efficiently. The new groove has worn to "Just Right". Gonna use your tip in the garage before I go get after 'em . Thanks Randy
I'm in Oregon and fish more for salmon and steelhead than bass. With salmon and steelhead, you might fish all day for a bite or 2 - if that hook isn't sharp, you lose. Those fish have hard mouths and a dull hook (from bumping snags) won't get the job done. You need to sharpen after every snag, often after a fish too. Also, many people don't know that chemically sharpened hooks do not have a preset 3 or 4 angled point. It's round to the tip. When you sharpen a chemically sharpened hook, you have to make the angles at the point, similar to how you show the 4 different angles with the file. It takes longer than with a standard hook. I generally prefer Mustad siwash hooks for my spinners and spoons over Gamakatsu because they are pre-shaped and easier to sharpen. They also have a slightly shorter shank and a slightly angled bend that seems to set a little better. This subject separates good from mediocre fishermen in my opinion.
I'm religious about keeping my hooks sharp, regardless of brand or quality. Sharpening is easy and only takes moments and makes all the difference in the world. I can think of opposing tournament-oriented videos on the topic: Skeet Reese casually taking a moment to sharpen a hook between casts with a file on a lanyard and KVD saying he swaps out all his trebles part-way through the day--what a waste of time and money and materials. Of course, he is fast at it and his hooks are free, but still... A sharpener is one of my most-used tools. My test is lightly dragging the hook across my thumbnail--if it scratches the nail with little pressure on my part, it's sharp; if it takes effort to scratch it, the hook gets sharpened. Hooks straight out of the package almost never pass the test. Good video, Randy, thanks.
I'll sharpen a jig hook, but rarely bother with sharpening trebles- I just replace them. I always drag away from the point and use three types of much smaller files with a finer texture than a big ol' honking welder's shop file.
I think that for snell hooks and hooks that hook the fish themselves it’s more important also treble hooks.Then a jig or T-rig that you are really getting a strong hook set, that hook is going to go in if you get a strong hook set.
One of my buddies owns a company called Hewlett Manufacturing. They make a killer sharpener for fishing hooks. I sharpen all trembles when especially fishing rocks. Make my own jigs so I can kinda grab another one when in question
Hahah my cheap a$% on a budget I'm one year in bass fishing and I use my fine grit sandpaper on jig heads that rust(it takes 2 sec) and my multi purpose plires file to sharpen hooks that dull while fishing, even adding a good point to freshly open hooks.
I know a machinist trick you can do to where You can restore that file to be able to use it again. All you need to do is get a scrap piece of copper and run it across the file grooves and it will clean those metal shavings out of the file grooves. Then your file will be as good as new randy.
I use the hand held, small square shaped hook filer with the grooved stone. Only thing is, which direction to drag the hook through the groove has me confused. Usually if I can develop a sharp point I am happy.
I recommend cleaning the hook file with vinegar and scrub with a fine bristle brass brush for welding. Makes em last a longer, love the luhr Jensen sharpeners but they're overpriced
Thanks Randy I have to get a sharpening stone the hooks they put on hair jig's are not that sharp so I sharpen them . Good shop tip god bless you and your family your pal fisherman Mike.
Lake night in the"Tackle Room"😁you doing it Randy!!!yup it is.I don't do it any more😞I just get a new hook. I agree with 95%of all your content😬ok maybe 99.9%😁you the Boss and let's get to 75k!!!🤓
I use to go through my hooks the night before a tournament.. I would drag the hook across my finger nail... if it didn't catch.. It needed sharpening.. The Frye Guy
I carry file all the time even ice fishing. You start catching a bunch of fish and the point will rollover. It’s easier to sharpen a hook out in the cold versus trying tie on a new jig.
This is how we sharpened hooks in the 70's but we did it before we used them. I still use the file on hooks with a cutting edge. For true needle points I use a diamond rod with a groove. I draw the rod towards the point while keeping the rod flush against to cone of the point. I repeat around the point until sharpness has returned. Don't use much pressure. Thanks.
I’ve seen a lot of videos, this is def the best. I’ve seen others say that sharpening towards the hook tip is bad because the metal builds up on the tip. Thoughts?
The process of sharpening is all related to the bur you create on the edge whether it be on a chef knife, axe or hook. You want the bur to form, you just take it off correctly and that is how you get the razor sharp edge.
I found my grandma old tackle box and it had a file in it didn't no what it was even for that so cool and cood save me money from buying hook s thanks so much😅thy don't advertise that any more thy just want people to buy new hooks crazy
I sharpen until it digs into my nail by just the weight of hook or lure its attached to and that has always been enough no need for the pricey chemically sharpen hooks.
It’s not forgotten by me. I sharpen almost every hook out of the box. Stick the point on your thumbnail. If it just slides on your nail, it ain’t sharp. I use “dr. Slick” files. They’re small, but do a great job. A big file is hard for me to use.
I agree I still have a sharpener in my box on my kayak and I keep one at the house. My dad showed me this and one of my fishing buddies do used to fish a tour in Canada. But good stuff thanks Randy
Ur up there but nowhere close to tact. Bassin! They have taught everyone on the net more than all other you tubers combined. So it wasn't a good or fair ? To ask us lol
You are pushing the file the wrong way . You need to pull the file into the point. What happens is you are making a needle point that will curl in a heartbeat.
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9miVG2xT5jY/mqdefault.jpg)
This is my all around favorite you tube channel. A gratuitous amount of very useful info that you actually can use.
A sharpening stone works well too. For trebles, I grip the middle with pliers and sharpen each point. Test the point by sticking it on your thumbnail If it sticks, it's ready, if it drags, it's not. Sound good Randy?
You make a very good point!
I've caught THOUSANDS of Bass since the 70'ds! NEVER sharpened ONE hook! Yea for me right? No! How many have I lost by not doing so? Hundreds if not thousands! This is great advice I wish I'd heeded over the years!!!
Thank you Randy, I was tired out from people saying sharpen it this way or the other way, your a tried and true pro, your way is the right way.
As usual, really informative video. You always have great tips that people either “don’t know about” or have “completely forgotten about”. No fancy camera work or sound effects, just great fishing facts. Thanks 🙏
I appreciate your channel so much. Im always looking for a new edge and learn something new. Keep it up
Great tutorial. Very much appreciated.
Thanks Randy......Great teaching vid......
This is probably the most helpful fishing video I’ve watched since I started fishing last year
Thanks Randy. It is a lost art w/a simple hand tool.
Dope tip!!!!! 1st time I've even heard or seen that tip, and so important!!!!
Finally! I know I suggested this at least 3 or 4 times. FYI About 35 years ago I bought a hook sharpening stone. It’s about 2”L x1/2”W glued to a small piece of wood and has a small groove on each side. I just lay the hook point in the groove and it’s deep enough to allow for angling the hook at 45° on both sides and at 90°. It’s quick and easy and fits in my hook/weight box. #feelthetug
I the lost art....old school in session..... probably more important than we realize... great tip...!
I love sharpening hooks, it makes a HUGE difference on literally everything. I went from a terrible hook up ratio on frogs even when they choked it to a great one because my hooks had been dull as a rock and then I sharpened them so much that they would stick to my fingernail without hardly any pressure.
I keep a diamond hone in my tackle bag. I prefer the diamond hone due to the rusting issues with flat files and breaking issues with sharpening stones.
Yes, it's one of those fancy retractable diamond hones by Kraken Bass. It's compact, never rusts, and won't break.
Thank you for sharing 🍺🎣
I still carry a hook sharpener in my tackle bag. Even the best and sharpest hook need dressing up. Great video.
Diamond shape point. When I was a kid, I got a fly tying kit so I could tie jigs. The kit came with a video and the guy gave the same instructions on sharpening a hook. I've done it like that ever since. Works great.
Great vid bud I really enjoyed watching thanks for putting hard work into quality content!
Thats really helpful randy. I have a sharpener and i always had an issue as to which angles to sharpen. I would do bottom and top and never really had a set system. Now I do!!!!
I appreciate this video very much. Thank you for the wisdom.
Great Tip, I have been doing it wrong for many, many years!
Great tip!!!👊🏻 Always good to know how to keep those hooks sharp!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!
Mr.Randy we caught over 60 bass today , in the marsh in Louisiana today , thank you for all your info , caught 1 over 4 lbs too but released her
Great food for thought. I carry a knife sharpener & a Leatherman tool (with a file) l on my hip ALWAYS & have never thought to use them on my hooks. Sounds like a good winter project idea.
Perfect, already have the file so now that my lake has frozen i have something to do
I needed to hear this. Thanks as always for everything you do to help us.
I keep an old small stone-about 1"×3". I have had it so long that I've worn groves in both sides. The groove on one side got so deep that it lost it's efficiently. The new groove has worn to "Just Right". Gonna use your tip in the garage before I go get after 'em . Thanks Randy
I’m a true believer in a good knot and sharp hooks. Simple and easy thing to learn. I like using a diamond stick sharpening tool.
Again, thank you for the tip!
I'm in Oregon and fish more for salmon and steelhead than bass. With salmon and steelhead, you might fish all day for a bite or 2 - if that hook isn't sharp, you lose. Those fish have hard mouths and a dull hook (from bumping snags) won't get the job done. You need to sharpen after every snag, often after a fish too. Also, many people don't know that chemically sharpened hooks do not have a preset 3 or 4 angled point. It's round to the tip. When you sharpen a chemically sharpened hook, you have to make the angles at the point, similar to how you show the 4 different angles with the file. It takes longer than with a standard hook. I generally prefer Mustad siwash hooks for my spinners and spoons over Gamakatsu because they are pre-shaped and easier to sharpen. They also have a slightly shorter shank and a slightly angled bend that seems to set a little better. This subject separates good from mediocre fishermen in my opinion.
Brings back memories of when I would get a few packs of Tru Turn hooks and sharpen them right out of the bag.
Great tips! God bless sir!
I still do it. But probably not as much as I should. Thanks Randy.
Great info Randy,was wondering when and if You were going to cover sharp hooks.
I'm religious about keeping my hooks sharp, regardless of brand or quality. Sharpening is easy and only takes moments and makes all the difference in the world. I can think of opposing tournament-oriented videos on the topic: Skeet Reese casually taking a moment to sharpen a hook between casts with a file on a lanyard and KVD saying he swaps out all his trebles part-way through the day--what a waste of time and money and materials. Of course, he is fast at it and his hooks are free, but still... A sharpener is one of my most-used tools. My test is lightly dragging the hook across my thumbnail--if it scratches the nail with little pressure on my part, it's sharp; if it takes effort to scratch it, the hook gets sharpened. Hooks straight out of the package almost never pass the test. Good video, Randy, thanks.
Best knife sharpening video to date
Great info! Lost art for sure.
Been waiting for this….👍🏼
Thank you for this video
Still carry my hook file, great reminder.
When done paint your fish hook using a permanent marker. This will help prevent rust. Using a red tip helps to show if your tip is dulling.
Thank you
I bought a few different files and stones! But now I have a system that's repeatable! Thx Randy!
I'll sharpen a jig hook, but rarely bother with sharpening trebles- I just replace them. I always drag away from the point and use three types of much smaller files with a finer texture than a big ol' honking welder's shop file.
I think that for snell hooks and hooks that hook the fish themselves it’s more important also treble hooks.Then a jig or T-rig that you are really getting a strong hook set, that hook is going to go in if you get a strong hook set.
Thank you for the video bud.
Thanks for the juice Randy
One of my buddies owns a company called Hewlett Manufacturing. They make a killer sharpener for fishing hooks. I sharpen all trembles when especially fishing rocks. Make my own jigs so I can kinda grab another one when in question
Hahah my cheap a$% on a budget I'm one year in bass fishing and I use my fine grit sandpaper on jig heads that rust(it takes 2 sec) and my multi purpose plires file to sharpen hooks that dull while fishing, even adding a good point to freshly open hooks.
I guess we are old school Randy.I sharpen hooks all the time.When I start missing fish I sharpen the hooks and no problem.Its go time again.
This is the best fishing channel hands down... all the others are just copying off each other and doing the same thing.
I keep a hook sharpener in my bag and I always do the nail test after bumping around rocks and brush etc.
I know a machinist trick you can do to where You can restore that file to be able to use it again. All you need to do is get a scrap piece of copper and run it across the file grooves and it will clean those metal shavings out of the file grooves. Then your file will be as good as new randy.
Ice fishing lakers made me a believer in sharpening hooks
I’ve never sharpened a hook in my life. I usually just grab a fresh one after I retire over a few fish. Probably will get into now
I use the hand held, small square shaped hook filer with the grooved stone. Only thing is, which direction to drag the hook through the groove has me confused. Usually if I can develop a sharp point I am happy.
I recommend cleaning the hook file with vinegar and scrub with a fine bristle brass brush for welding. Makes em last a longer, love the luhr Jensen sharpeners but they're overpriced
Tactical Bassin does as much although they do it their way I’m sure you can appreciate.
I just watched the us open fishing tournament and got a sick feeling. It should have been called the Johnny Morris LiveScope Open.
How sharp were their hooks?
I agree with the guys who recommend diamond hones. I resharpen hooks after using any baits.
I check all of my hooks and it doesn't stick to my thumb nail when I drag it across it I sharpen it.
Pro tip: you can restore metal files if you use a fine wire brush and some oil or WD-40 on in to help loosen up the rust and grime.
Thanks Randy I have to get a sharpening stone the hooks they put on hair jig's are not that sharp so I sharpen them . Good shop tip god bless you and your family your pal fisherman Mike.
What is best method used to check for hook sharpness out on the water?
I usually used a point file.
My grandfather always had a few strips of sandpaper glued inside his tackle box for just this reason
Proper angles , but better to file away from the hook point. The Art is to keep the metal shavings away from the point!
Use a sharpie on the hook after sharpening to prevent rust!
Lake night in the"Tackle Room"😁you doing it Randy!!!yup it is.I don't do it any more😞I just get a new hook. I agree with 95%of all your content😬ok maybe 99.9%😁you the Boss and let's get to 75k!!!🤓
Use OOO steel wool . Swipe down to the point . A few strokes and it will be super sharp . Hooks last forever that way . Never ruined a hook yet .
Been shrpping mine for 30 years. Maw bass.
I use to go through my hooks the night before a tournament.. I would drag the hook across my finger nail... if it didn't catch.. It needed sharpening.. The Frye Guy
I carry file all the time even ice fishing. You start catching a bunch of fish and the point will rollover. It’s easier to sharpen a hook out in the cold versus trying tie on a new jig.
What do you think about making the barb smaller? I’ve heard that can help with penetration.
This is how we sharpened hooks in the 70's but we did it before we used them. I still use the file on hooks with a cutting edge. For true needle points I use a diamond rod with a groove. I draw the rod towards the point while keeping the rod flush against to cone of the point. I repeat around the point until sharpness has returned. Don't use much pressure. Thanks.
I’ve seen a lot of videos, this is def the best. I’ve seen others say that sharpening towards the hook tip is bad because the metal builds up on the tip. Thoughts?
The process of sharpening is all related to the bur you create on the edge whether it be on a chef knife, axe or hook. You want the bur to form, you just take it off correctly and that is how you get the razor sharp edge.
I found my grandma old tackle box and it had a file in it didn't no what it was even for that so cool and cood save me money from buying hook s thanks so much😅thy don't advertise that any more thy just want people to buy new hooks crazy
My man
Would you spray your file with WD-40? Or any other lubricant?
I use an ignition point / spark plug file
Have the tackle stores ran out of hooks?
I use a diamond stone from
Chainsaw drag file works best
I always sharpen my hooks. It is hard to find a good file.
I use 2 chainsaw sharpeners taped together
I sharpen until it digs into my nail by just the weight of hook or lure its attached to and that has always been enough no need for the pricey chemically sharpen hooks.
You have to sharpen those hooks unless they are Gamakatsu….
It’s not forgotten by me. I sharpen almost every hook out of the box. Stick the point on your thumbnail. If it just slides on your nail, it ain’t sharp. I use “dr. Slick” files. They’re small, but do a great job. A big file is hard for me to use.
I agree I still have a sharpener in my box on my kayak and I keep one at the house. My dad showed me this and one of my fishing buddies do used to fish a tour in Canada. But good stuff thanks Randy
I kept a few small dinks just to fry tonight
Love your channel and your videos, Randy, but the moment I saw that giant bastard file I shook my head. Get on Amazon and pick up a diamond stone pen.
Rub soap stone on your file and it will never clog with debris.
remember to not make a cutting edge i jeard that from martin
Bull, you are not the only channel that talks bass fishing. In fact you toot your horn more as you get older!
Sorry but that is the wrong stroke, you are creating a purr like that stroke opposite way
Ur up there but nowhere close to tact. Bassin! They have taught everyone on the net more than all other you tubers combined. So it wasn't a good or fair ? To ask us lol
You are pushing the file the wrong way . You need to pull the file into the point. What happens is you are making a needle point that will curl in a heartbeat.
That's what I thought...
Yep I have to agree Steve. As an old timer that sharpens everything. The stone always slides towards the edge. Otherwise you get a weak false edge.
This is what I'm hearing
people dont sharpen hooks? how odd... i sharpen hooks before during and after my brother. not gunna stick any hogs with a butter knife yall.