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| Who can tell me the best method to sharpen your hooks and with what type of file. Thanks! |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | I can't say with certainty that this is "best" but here is what I do..
I like the little yellow handled flat file ( I think it is made by Luhr Jensen). I'll run it up both sides from the point end towards the bend until it is quite sharp. I'll then run it lightly off the outside edge from the point towards the bend. I'll play with it until it will hang, digging in, off my thumbnail with my thumb pointing down more than 45 degrees. It should bite right in if you drag it lightly across your nail also. I'm a fanatic about having my hooks super sharp. Over the winter they will all get touched up and then periodocally during the summer as well. |
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Posts: 1046
| Lobi is correct, and now Southbend makes a little yellow, beveled, mill bastard! Smittybaits also makes an awesome file, way larger size and a hair more expensive, but worth it! |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | I like the Holcombe one Thorne Bros. has them
http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/baits/lure_doctoring/luredoc_holco... |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | The twin round ones can sharpen hooks pretty good, but the yellow handled one by luhr jensen I feel is the best, only sharpen in one direction, don't go back-n-forth.. What Lobi said about it sticking in your nail and not sliding off...yep... |
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Posts: 600
Location: West Bend, WI | http://jomusky.tripod.com/sharphooks.html |
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| I seem to get a sharper hook using the flat file than the rod type sharpeners. Takes less time as well. |
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Posts: 9
Location: Ontario Canada | Best thing you can do is find some experienced guys who have different methods.
Get them to show you ( muskie guys love to help each other out )
Try at least a couple different methods ( these are some of the cheapest tools in muskie fishing )
Decide what feels most confortable to you and you're set.
Just remember one thing , like any thing else it takes time to get really good so stay it and it will become second nature.
Good luck this season. |
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Posts: 723
| I like the holcombe also, but I put a slight angle on one side or another, instead of going perfectly straight with the hook towards the point, I just turn the file a little. the effect is pretty much like a scalpel on the tip, they dig hard and quick. Flat files are a little quicker for touchups though. |
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| I like the yellow handled file also. The others take off a lot of metal, so if you want to use those to start out with and use the yellow handled one to finish off the hook, that works too. |
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