Hook Files
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Work-Up
Forum Description: Game fishing related topics here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19923
Printed Date: 20 Jun 2026 at 10:24am
Topic: Hook Files
Posted By: Saltiga
Subject: Hook Files
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 4:14pm
|
im interested to see what people think the best hook file out there is, what is the grade of it, and where do you get it from does everybody here swear by shaping there hooks
Pros and Cons to this issue
|
Replies:
Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 4:18pm
|
I was given a small diamond file which I believe is awesome. I dont do anything to the barb although I hear some people flatten them down a bit. I try to get my hooks sharp enough for surgery without making the point too thin ------------- Skirt Pulla |
Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 4:25pm
Its a wee bit fiddly to use but makes a really nice job ------------- Skirt Pulla |
Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 5:20pm
| got one of those files sitting in front of me got 4 hooks to go.... |
Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 5:25pm
|
Mozz do you reckon it does a good job? I swear by it. Have another made by norton but it not as good. ------------- Skirt Pulla |
Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 5:45pm
|
I have only ever used it for my livebait hooks for kings. Started doing these hooks tonight but they seemed to come up good. who knows |
Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 6:00pm
|
Tazee sells a "Bucks" double sided diamond file that I have found excellent and its got the groove specially for hooks. Only file I have seen that will touch those Hayes hooks hard buggers that they are ------------- http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">  http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz |
Posted By: dustin
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 9:04pm
|
I use a medium grade metal file (don't know the trade term, sorry) for shaping the Mustad hooks. Once they are knocked into shape (I still prefer a four sided point, barb reduced by half but everyone has his favourite style) then all you really need is a diamond file on the boat to keep the points sharp. I always thought a piece of 240 grit wet & dry glued onto a flat stick would be a good substitute for a diamond file if one was too cheap...
The Jobu hooks don't need sharpening and Roddy will advise how a Hays hook should be treated...
cheers - Dustin
|
Posted By: Bender
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 9:59pm
|
I was scarred for life by AC when he took the hooks I thought were sharp, ran his thumb over them and professed that they were fookin useless.
So, I had to do more work!
I use two files and an oil stone. I start with a big earnie, fine down the whole hook from the point right into the bend. Take off about half the barb. Then I use a finer file (I think these two files are first and second cut files but they are not here for me to go check). Essentially this is the process Matt & Kezza's first video, Blue water gamefishing, shows.
Then to get them really sharp I use an oil stone on the area from the barb to the point. I give the tip a lickin with this every time I use them. These are VMCs.
I've also seen the diamond file that Boulder uses - very very good (but pricey).
The Hays hooks are already plenty fine but will respond to some oil stone sharpening of the point. I bought a diamond file for them (not one of Tazees) and the thing lasted about two hooks and was in the words of AC, fooked.
------------- Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water. |
Posted By: Plonker
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2007 at 10:50pm
|
no2 mill cut to start with to get the shape.
no3 mill cut (finer) to keep it sharp and you don't have to push too hard to keep it sharp
 Just a light strokeCheap coarse files and pushing too hard can f**k a hook pretty quickly I had some new S/S Mustards bugged this season by guys doing this in just a few days .
I like the four cutting edges like Dustin to.
It's easy to see i'm an OTT Furniture Maker i'm the same with chisels,Planes, drill bits etc
 |
Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2007 at 8:26am
These are the ones I use, especially for Hays hooks. Not that cheap but worth it.
 ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |