| After a few casts, your fishing hooks can | | | | extra batteries. |
| become worn, and lose their sharp tip. But you | | | | When sharpening your hook, it is best to |
| can keep yours sharp, and avoid losing your big | | | | remember that a pyramid or triangle tip will be |
| catch to a dull hook, by following taking just a | | | | most effective for piercing and sinking a fish. |
| few simple preventative measures. A metal file is | | | | Begin by filing the back (or outside edge) of the |
| the best tool to use when sharpening a hook. | | | | point flat. Then, place the tip of your file at a 45 |
| Keeping a small file in your tackle supply box can | | | | degree angle to your previous position, and file |
| be handy - you can use it whenever you find | | | | half of the inside of the hook at that angle. Then |
| yourself dealing with a dull hook. | | | | file the other half of the inside along an opposite |
| It is helpful to have a few simple tools available in | | | | angle, to form a triangle-shaped point. |
| your tackle or bait box. A small metal file or | | | | If you would like to test your hook for sharpness, |
| sharpening stone and a pair of pliers should do the | | | | drag it lightly across the top of a finger nail. A |
| trick. If you are working with very small hooks, | | | | hook that slides easily without catching is not quite |
| you may find a fly tying vice to be helpful, as well. | | | | sharp enough. If it creates a scratch in your |
| There are also several battery powered hook | | | | fingernail with very little pressure, or catches |
| sharpeners available, which can be used for quick | | | | easily, then you have successfully sharpened your |
| touch ups - however if you plan to use one of | | | | hook. |
| these, make sure that you have also stocked | | | | |