Traces/Hooks

[Robbie_B]

Hi all
I was just wondering, how many uses would you get of a trace and hooks in particular? Is it common practice to replace the hooks and line after each use?
Thanks

 

[Mr Fish]

Hi all
I was just wondering, how many uses would you get of a trace and hooks in particular? Is it common practice to replace the hooks and line after each use?
Thanks

It’s certainly best practice and a lot of people do exactly that, but… I am a bit tight!

I check the line for nicks and abrasions - thinner line will need replacing more often, usually every trip or indeed mid trip.
Hooks if pretty sharp and not damaged or corroded I’ll play it by ear.
Obviously again it also depends on the size - a fine wire Aberdeen might be lucky to last the session but a varivas big mouth extra might make two or three trips if I’m very lucky.

But at the same time don’t skimp. If it’s abraded, change it, if it’s blunt, change it.
Try and get into the habit of checking traces and hooks (and rig body!) between casts.

If you ‘double pat’ ie have a spare baited trace hung on your tripod ready to go, you’ll have a bit more time to properly inspect traces between casts and repair if necessary.

Don’t forget to regularly check mainline and leader while fishing too.

 

[welshtroutfisher]

I cut the components from traces I have used once home, give them a rinse with freshwater with all my other gear.

I'll use the swivels, beads and imps/links again, but the hooks I'll give a sharpen and use again if not bent.

I dont use the line again and it goes into the bin.

Same with shock leaders- I won't risk reusing them again so load a fresh one on.

I do check my rigs when baiting up and if in doubt I change to a new one.

 

[chesilpete]

Hooks change every time. Everything else check. Leader knots pull hard.

 

[flappy]

Some of my rigs I have found on the beach.

 

[Mr Fish]

As I said, I won’t carry on fishing with a knackered hook or line, but… if it seems perfectly fine, I will carry on using it until it isn’t.

It depends on location too - my larger hook surf beach rigs for bass may well get 2-3 trips a month easily in the autumn, if hooks are still sharp etc, but I’ll also do running repairs on them on the beach while the other rigs are fishing.

 

[Trampster]

As I said, I won’t carry on fishing with a knackered hook or line, but… if it seems perfectly fine, I will carry on using it until it isn’t.

It depends on location too - my larger hook surf beach rigs for bass may well get 2-3 trips a month easily in the autumn, if hooks are still sharp etc, but I’ll also do running repairs on them on the beach while the other rigs are fishing.

Lidl some time ago had little pencil shaped diamond files with a groove in them. I bought 2, 1 for the tackle box as they are ideal for touching up hook points.

 

[Mr Fish]

Lidl some time ago had little pencil shaped diamond files with a groove in them. I bought 2, 1 for the tackle box as they are ideal for touching up hook points.

I’ve got small files but I do find a lot of the chemically sharpened hooks don’t hold a point or sharpen very well, so I’d certainly put a new one one rather than make do with my naff sharpening efforts!

 

[Kine262]

I always replace small hooks and hook lengths but with bigger hooks I am happy to sharpen them but always give the hook points a smear with Vaseline before storing away after sharpening, as the sharpen takes the protective layer off and leaves the hook prone to rusting.

I use this to sharpen hooks.

DRET - Diamond Retractable Sharpener | Moonraker Knives

www.moonrakerknives.co.uk

 

[Wolf]

I change my hooks,and hook lengths after every session.i save my hooks & pass them on to a junior

 

[nearly70ty]

I fish clean beaches and change the hooks and soods every third trip. I inspectem when I get home, when I wash them in fresh water . I must admit I should be a little more diligent with rig bodies but they tend to be 80 lb line.

 

[Mushty]

Depends how you make your rigs I guess?
I don’t crimp the hook length swivel tightly so an inch or so between the crimps and the swivel floats, the slack is taken up by a power gum stop knot on the top hook length.
This allows me to change hooks and hook lengths quite easily after every session.
I’ll change the rig body if needed maybe every 4-5 sessions.

 

[Kine262]

I change my hooks,and hook lengths after every session.i save my hooks & pass them on to a junior

I don't mean this disrespectfully Wolf, but if you don't think your used hooks are good enough for you to use again then why give them to a junior?

 

[Mr Fish]

I don't mean this disrespectfully Wolf, but if you don't think your used hooks are good enough for you to use again then why give them to a junior?

He doesn’t want them out fishing him!

 

[Mr Fish]

Depends how you make your rigs I guess?
I don’t crimp the hook length swivel tightly so an inch or so between the crimps and the swivel floats, the slack is taken up by a power gum stop knot on the top hook length.
This allows me to change hooks and hook lengths quite easily after every session.
I’ll change the rig body if needed maybe every 4-5 sessions.

I don’t crimp

 

[Trampster]

I always replace small hooks and hook lengths but with bigger hooks I am happy to sharpen them but always give the hook points a smear with Vaseline before storing away after sharpening, as the sharpen takes the protective layer off and leaves the hook prone to rusting.

I use this to sharpen hooks.

DRET - Diamond Retractable Sharpener | Moonraker Knives

www.moonrakerknives.co.uk

The lower one looks exactly the same as the Lidl one Will. In fact, I think the last time I saw them in Lidl, they had the tapered & the straight one.

 

[Kine262]

The lower one looks exactly the same as the Lidl one Will. In fact, I think the last time I saw them in Lidl, they had the tapered & the straight one.

Cheers Dave, I could do with a spare for a different bag so I’ll look out for them.

 

[Trampster]

Cheers Dave, I could do with a spare for a different bag so I’ll look out for them.

I get their emails so if I see one coming in, I'll try to remember to give you a shout.

 

[Angrybear]

You can buy the "pen sharpeners" from e-bay, tapered one end straight the other, I've had one for 20+ years, fantastic little tool.

There is no hard & fast rule for hooks/traces, change them when they need changing, might do 2-3 trips, might do 2-3 casts.

Also think before you dispose of them, I treat old traces like medical sharps, they get put in some sort of plastic tub/bottle with a lid,
when full I tape it closed & stick on a label that says "used fish hooks/sharps" because waste is still hand sorted in places.

 

[crablante]

Hi all
I was just wondering, how many uses would you get of a trace and hooks in particular? Is it common practice to replace the hooks and line after each use?
Thanks

I re-use everything that isn't damaged