SHARPEN YOUR HOOKPOINTS

A super-sharp hook is the foundation of any good rig. Without it, the rest of your set-up will be pretty much redundant.

By finely honing your hookpoints using a file and eyeglass (so you can see exactly what you are doing) you’ll get more bites than you would by merely using a hook straight out of the packet, especially on highly-pressured venues where the fish might be adept at getting away with it.

However, there’s definitely a right and a wrong way to sharpen hooks, and it can take a bit of practice to master the art.

At the very least you’ll need a hook-sharpening file, and these can be bought for less than £5 and will last you many years.

If you really want to go to town, then there are full sharpening kits on the market which, in addition to two sharpening files (fine and coarse) also include a small vice for holding the hook while it’s being sharpened, and an eyeglass to check the point when you’re done with it.

We can’t stress the importance of a sharp hook strongly enough. Run the point against your thumbnail. If it’s sharp, it will catch immediately.

The points of hand-sharpened hooks can be slightly more fragile after being filed, and more prone to rusting. To prevent this happening, before casting out, dip the points in Vaseline or, even better, coconut oil. Similarly, because the points have been finely honed, they are more prone to damage, especially if you put them back in the packet together. To prevent this happening, push slim cigarette filter tips on to the points first. Very crafty!

Place the shank of the hook into the vice (if you have one) and turn the wheel to secure it firmly in place. Place the file on the top edge, opposite the barb, and make six smooth strokes towards the point. Next, repeat the process on both sides of the hook. 1 2

3 Never touch the inside of the point. Use an eyeglass (available online for as little as £2) to check your handiwork. If you’ve been a little gung-ho and the point has been damaged, bin the hook!