A guide to making hexagonal fishing hooks at home on a budget
In this article, let’s find out how to make hexagonal fishing hooks at home to save money – after all, fishing isn’t just about sitting there with your rod, is it? When we have time, we can sit down and make some tackle.
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For a long time now, fishing has been a refined and wholesome pastime enjoyed by many. Every fishing trip brings a different range of emotions, which is precisely why anglers are always eager and looking forward to each time they pick up their rod.
Nowadays, making a fishing rod is probably not too difficult, thanks to the ever-advancing science, technology and machinery. However, to this day, there remains one component of the fishing tackle set that is still crafted and preserved by the skilful hands of traditional artisans: the hook.
Exactly when the six-hook fishing line originated and where it came from is something even the craftsmen themselves may not know precisely; they only know that it has been around for a very long time. Nevertheless, six-hook fishing is now widely practised and popular from the North to the Central and Southern regions.
So, how do these skilled and professional craftsmen make the six-pronged fishing hook? Please read this article to gain a better understanding of the process!
Step 1: Cutting the steel blank: cut the steel wire into sections of varying lengths depending on the hook shape and steel gauge.
So, what type of steel is used to make six-pronged fishing hooks?
Here, the craftsmen mainly use high-quality, saltwater-resistant stainless steel with a non-slip ABS plastic shank to make the process easier and ensure long-term durability.
Step 2: Bend the cut steel segments into the desired hook shape using metal moulds.
Step 3: Flatten both ends of the shaped steel segments evenly right up to the shank of the hook.
Step 4: Use a rotary grinding wheel to grind the two ends of the steel sections forming the two blades.
Step 5: Cut and flatten the blade shank: To ensure uniform length, the blades should be ground and cut to specified dimensions. The shank should be flattened and ground to remove all sharp edges.
Step 6: Temper the blades: temper the entire batch of blades and the steel together. Experienced craftsmen may place the fishing hooks on a piece of steel and then place this on a gas hob or over an open flame to achieve the desired result.
At this stage, the process of making hexagonal fishing hooks is almost complete. However, for a clearer, more detailed understanding, as well as to ensure the best possible result, please continue to follow the subsequent steps.
Step 7. Tying the hook shank: Each size of steel requires a specific size of fishing line to tie the hook shank. Furthermore, the size of the hook shank depends on the angler’s requirements—whether to use a smaller or larger shank—but ideally, you should choose a shank with good springiness for better performance.
There are two methods for tying the hook shank: using a knot or wrapping with steel wire. If you wrap the shank with a small stainless steel wire, it will still ensure sufficient strength when tied, creating the hook bend and shank notches. Afterwards, remember to apply a small amount of glue once you have finished securing the wrap to fix the coil in place. This wrapping method reduces the likelihood of the blade flipping when cast, as the line catches on the coils. Note that a small vice-style clamp is required during the securing process.
Conversely, the method involving tying knots is done entirely by hand; this requires pegs on the work surface for tying, and a wooden handle must be used to apply the necessary pulling force.
In addition to making the hook, you should also pay attention to how to tie the float and how to balance it, as this is essential for effective fishing.
When you go fishing, take the float to a pond or lake, attach the hook and float to the rod as usual, then cut a strip of lead foil, roll it up and place it inside the lead weight, and begin testing:
- If the float has not yet touched the wing or the knob, and the indicator is not yet touching the water’s surface, you must add more lead by rolling up additional lead foil and placing it inside the lead weight.
- If the wings or the knob have sunk too deep, you should trim some of the lead foil from the lead weight.
- If the float’s wing or knob is just touching the water, skimming the surface, or sinking but doing so slowly, this is ideal.
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