Originally Posted by
JohnScott
I crimp the barb from the side, not headon. Have only had a few hooks break while fishing over the four years or so that I have been tying.
I've never sharpened a hook, period. And can't remember a time when I thought sharpening a hook would have made any difference to my fishing experience. Actually, since I fish for the "hunt" and the "take" and prefer to have fish get off before I have to handle them, I probably ought to dull the hook before I start fishing !!
Maybe if I were fishing for other than trout, and / or were going to get particularly excited about landing trophy fish, I'd think about sharpening a hook. As it is, it falls in the same category with long and pretty casts, nice gear, and whatever is "the latest."