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Hooks that don't dink so much on gravel

J

Jon Whelan

Senior Member
I have been tying a few rigs for the last few days in preparation for the long off. But, satisfying as the end product is I find the affair fairly onerous.

One of the main reasons I have to tie so many rigs is that the point of my hooks get quickly dulled, dinked or however described on the gravel my rigs are presented upon. I have become reasonably adept at using a hook sharpener but would rather not use this tool so frequently.

I have used a variety of hooks but would not class myself as a hook master!

Ask a daft question, is there a general pattern of hook or type that is not so prone to dulling so readily upon being cast out?

Or, are there hook patterns whose points seem to turn/dull/dink more readily?

Many thanks,

Jon
 
Jon, whilst your problem is a common one and there are better patterns than others to avoid the dredded point damage that you refer to, you will never eliminate it so you must always check your points on each cast. That said: Generally, hooks with inturned and offset points (can't remember the correct technical terms) will out perform all others!

Hope this helps?
 
These maybe......

hooksm.jpg
 
Another vote for the Korda wide gape. I've real faith in these hooks after a couple of season's use for carp and barbel. The "X"is ultra strong though, i don't think you need it unless snag fishing.
 
Drennan continental boilie hooks for me for the last 5 years and a dimond file so soon as it goes blunt just resharpen and away you go ive found that most of the time that works for me and its much quicker and cheaper ..Hope this helps John
 
Gardner talon tips have been doing the business for me. Beaked point, very sharp and stay sharp and strong and reliable. Can't recommend them enough.
 
I tried some hooks a while ago called Atomic Claw. They are really strong hooks but what put me off was the long thin point. I used these hooks in very snaggy swims and the points soon became blunt. The korda hooks have a much shorter thicker point and they very rarely go blunt for me. Also the ptfe gives a much smoother finish than on other hooks.
 
ESP Raptor D7 for me!!
 
My view is that all hook points lose their sharpness eventually. However I would change my rig first due to a liklihood of a break at the knotless knot before a blunt hook. Accordingly I have switched to the Korum S range with the solid eye and they have prooved excellent on both fronts.
 
I would be very wary of sharpening modern hooks. Generally speaking they are chemically sharpened which I believe is an acid erosion process and then case hardened which is a heat and chemical process.
This case hardening is only a few molecules thick and as soon as you scrape through it with your diamond file you are down to the tempered mild steel which will not hold an edge.
The only way in my opinion is to check each hook with a x10 jewellers loupe before tying it, then check your knot and if you are in any doubt discard and replace.

Having said all that it really depends where you are fishing, If I am fishing the middle Severn or the Trent I'm happy to use a cheap hook and the good old Drennan specialist in sizes 16, 14, 12, 10 and 8 at around 10p each have caught me thousands of barbel, however; if I'm fishing the Dove where each bite might be the fish of a lifetime I am allot more careful.
 
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