Rusted hooks!!! How to Prevent?

Also, your hooks are rusting because you you dont use them. Hooks need love too. Get out there!

Well played Bob.. lol If that is the case I hope your crab pots don't rust.

 
Im gonna plan on thanksgiving morning or day after. Or thanksgiving weekend. Wife is not working so I'd be free from diaper changes.  Mind you I just moved and trying to sort things out.  I hope crab season would be open on or before T-day.

My crab pots are already rusted. Got them used (or not used...) from a guy who wasnt able to give them enough love. I hope a little rust eont repell the crabs. And i sure hope they open soon.

Stainless steel will not rust although they are more expensive.

I am an opponent of stainless steel hooks.  They won't rust in your tackle box but they also won't rust when stuck in a lost fish's mouth either, potentially leading to it's death.

I feel they should be banned (rather than lead sinkers)......

I think WD40 is the way to go:  Hydrophobic and I've heard it attracts fish 

Stainless steel will not rust although they are more expensive.

I am an opponent of stainless steel hooks.  They won't rust in your tackle box but they also won't rust when stuck in a lost fish's mouth either, potentially leading to it's death.

Curious to know if you have evidence SS hooks causes more fish deaths? Pretty sure any large hook, say 5 to 8 ought stays in a fish mouth for a time long enough to cause injury or death if it impedes feeding. Fish and Game long ago banned use of barbed hooks for commercial salmon fishing but did not ban SS which I think they would have done had fish mortality rates increased with SS use.

If they are rusting, your getting them wet somehow.

Yes, the best way to keep your books pristine is to never get them wet...

If they are rusting, your getting them wet somehow.

Yes, the best way to keep your books pristine is to never get them wet...

Or even read them.

If they are rusting, your getting them wet somehow.

Yes, the best way to keep your books pristine is to never get them wet...

Or even read them.

I deserved that...

If they are rusting, your getting them wet somehow.

Yes, the best way to keep your books pristine is to never get them wet...

Or even read them.

I deserved that...

Hahaha!   

Along that same line, after fishing the bay and other salt water areas I've been cleaning everything with a hose, but rust formed on the hooks.  Now I'm rinsing in water and then spraying with WD40.  What are other people doing for this problem?

Stainless steel will not rust although they are more expensive.

I am an opponent of stainless steel hooks.  They won't rust in your tackle box but they also won't rust when stuck in a lost fish's mouth either, potentially leading to it's death.

Curious to know if you have evidence SS hooks causes more fish deaths? Pretty sure any large hook, say 5 to 8 ought stays in a fish mouth for a time long enough to cause injury or death if it impedes feeding. Fish and Game long ago banned use of barbed hooks for commercial salmon fishing but did not ban SS which I think they would have done had fish mortality rates increased with SS use.

I have no personal evidence but common sense and a quick google search will show:

"Non-Stainless Steel Hooks
Non-stainless steel hooks (steel and bronze) increase survival rates of fish. If these hooks cannot be removed from the fish, they will rust and deteriorate sooner than stainless steel and cadmium or nickel-plated hooks. They are also less toxic."

http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/manns/hook_in_out.shtml

http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=19243

I had read the first article but really do not see a major mortality difference between SS and iron hooks. Four months for a non SS hook to remain in a fish would bring death if it impeded the fish from feeding. Granted that SS would have a longer duration but fish will live with the hook if they can still feed. Acids in the mouth and gut will probably dissolve hook metal including SS faster than water contact. The second article seems to consist of opinions by groups heavily into excessive safe guards for fishing. Personally I use SS hooks only for salmon trolling and barbless cheaper iron/tin hooks for rock fishing. We accept a degree of fish mortality from being hooked, played,  released, and sometimes breaking the line. I think the use of SS hooks adds little to this.

I just finished reading an article on fishing hooks titled WHICH HOOK by Sam Mossman in New Zealand Fishing News 4/9/2014.  It is fairly comprehensive and the studies are backed by more complete research than other web sites. Three aspects stand out. Barbless insures the greatest survival, anything cadmium plated causes greater risk, and stainless steel is no more detrimental than other non plated metals as far as fish mortality goes.

I got tired of tossing a few Octopus Hooks after each salmon trolling session, so I bought some Mustad Stainless Steel hooks. These are similar to the ones used by commercial salmon fishermen (same material, anyway).

They aren't super sharp out of the box, but they sharpen up nice.

I'm also a huge fan of stainless steel figure 8 snaps for attaching just about anything. MUCH better, stronger, easier to use, and longer lasting than typical duo lock snaps.

Between the stainless steel Mustad hooks, SPRO (or Sampo) swivels, and stainless figure 8 snaps, I'm wasting a whole lot less gear.

With regard to stainless steel hooks rusting out in a fish's mouth... I am only talking about salmon trolling with BARBLESS hooks. They will just fall out if I break off a fish with a hook in its mouth (thankfully yet to happen...).

Just rinse with fresh water and put em somewhere dry. If the box is wet open it up back home and let it dry. I rarely have any rust issues doing this

I just finished reading an article on fishing hooks titled WHICH HOOK by Sam Mossman in New Zealand Fishing News 4/9/2014.  It is fairly comprehensive and the studies are backed by more complete research than other web sites. Three aspects stand out. Barbless insures the greatest survival, anything cadmium plated causes greater risk, and stainless steel is no more detrimental than other non plated metals as far as fish mortality goes.

Interesting article.  I hadn't read that one before but I'm not sure I buy it 100%.  I am, however, now convinced a barbless stainless steel hook is probably best for the fish.  I still won't use barbed stainless.

Thanks for posting!  Good stuff