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I use to sharpen my hooks every trip but nowadays I actually sharpen my hooks a lot less. I just replace them. I have been buying lots of owners, gamis and 6x vmcs in all sizes and as soon as they are dull I just replace them. I don't like a tarnished hook on my plug or lure. I want it new. I spend a few hundred $ per year on hooks. I mail order in bulk packs whenever I can. I don't even like a tarnished hook on a plug even if it is pretty sharp. If I have the time I will replace it. There is something about a new sharp hook gives me a real good feeling of confidence, when there are those lethally sharp owners on a plug, lure or hooked thru an eel or bait, you feel confident. That feeling is worth paying for. Yep they are expensive, but when you set the hook it sinks in solid. Those suckers will really set. Moreover they stand up to abuse with pliers when the action gets heavy. I tend to keep the short shanked 6X VMC's (which are great hooks for the $ and available in bulk) on my boat lures that see lots of heavy action and I replace these sometimes as often as every trip (but many times they last couple weeks) as the cost is low. I still like the owners the best though and fish with these on my best lures. I keep a Plano box (one in the truck and one on the boat) stocked with all sizes of OWNER (single and trebles), VMC(trebles) and Gami (single hooks) with a good back up supply at my house.
Most people see that box of hooks on board and usually make a comment like..."jezzz, you are pretty serious about hooks eh?."
I figure, you spend a ton of time and expense in the planning and in the execution of fishing trips, and can only fish for a few months of the year that I am not cheaping out on hooks or line when I finally get out there. Just replace it as soon as it is worn.
Be honest, don't you just hate it when you buy a decent plug and it has a cheap ass wire hook that you wouldn't use if you life depended on it? (Case in point, sluggo stock hooks) I would prefer baits either come with a quality hook or none at all. I think most of the plug builders on this site follow that mantra. At least all of the plugs that I have purchased from the guys and shops on this site have. I am not offended if a plug comes without hooks, I am pleased I get to pick what I want.
I know many of the production plug makers have to target some "price point" and the hook usually is what gets cheaped out on but why not just leave it off altogether? Most shops are happy to rig it right for you and will put on something that is appropriate for your application.
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