Preventing Hooks from Rusting

Micropterus salmoides · Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:28 pm

What's the most effective thing to put inside clear utility boxes to prevent hooks from rusting?

RichThiel · Post by **RichThiel** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:31 pm

If you can I"d just keep them in the original bag within your tackle box (s).

Rich

texas john · Post by **texas john** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:48 pm

Here is two things that you can put in all your clear boxes and keep the hooks rust free. First and usuall the cheapest, is toothpicks. Toothpicks are wood that has been kiln dried so they absorb moisture well. Second is Q-tips, not the whole thing mind you just the cotton tips. This method is ok but sometimes you get cotton on your hooks. The last and best method is silica. This is the hardest to come by but most effective. When you buy a pair of shoes there is a little bag that says do not eat or keep away from children. These bags are filled with silica which is a very good method to keep moisture at a minimum. You will also find these packages in beef jerky and other dry products. So next time your in a shoe store as them if they have any of them around and pick one up per box. Remember with these that like a sponge they absorb the moisture but will be come usless over time. Good luck and happy fishing, hopefully with rust free hooks.

Alex M. · Post by **Alex M.** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:48 pm

I stopped using Plano boxes a long time ago for this reason. I switched over to Flambeau boxes and I'll never look back. Their boxes are made from a plastic which already contains anti-rust stuff in it. It's called "Zerust". Here's a link in case your interested: http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/otd ... pinner.asp . If you wanna keep your present boxes, they also make an anti-rust insert: http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/otd ... sories.asp .

Again...highly recommended !

Gerryjig · Post by **Gerryjig** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:01 pm

I use a couple of silicon packages (the kind you find in electronic packaging etc. etc.) some are small 1.5in. X 1.5in or even larger to about 2X4 inches. They are natural moisture absorbers and will need to be changed out after about a year. I have them for both fresh and salt. I swear by them, give 'em a try and you'll see.

oops Texas John is right on, I posted a minute or two too late!

jimmy87 · Post by **jimmy87** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:14 pm

a very fine mist of wd 40 every few trips keeps all my hooks and lures rust free.
I use the plastic plano trays and no problems here. I fish in heavy rain as well.

Micropterus salmoides · Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:15 pm

Thanks. I'll try the silica packs. I was already thinking those or Q-tips. Fortunately, I've been airing out my gear after fishing in the rain and using a fan as well. A couple of hooks that have been in there since last summer began rusting near the eye. I wish I could keep all my hooks in the original plastic sleeves but the Falcon box that I use only has one compartment that is big enough for them.

Do you guys put a silica pack in each of your other boxes that have lures or just the hook and sinker boxes?

steve0806 · Post by **steve0806** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:49 pm

I get "Sorb-it Can" cylinders from my pharmacist and put them in my Plano boxes with crankbaits and hooks. Haven't had any problems. The cylinders are a moisture absorbing product.

texas john · Post by **texas john** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:39 pm

It just takes something Micro, just put one or two in any box that has hooks or anything that might rust.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:42 am

Most of the rust problems I've had, hasn't been from moisture but from the salt in the plastics. When changing baits I try to remember to just wipe off the hook and I don't have a problem, a little smelly jelly on it doesn't hurt, the oil inhibits moisture also.

Smile_n_Jax · Post by **Smile_n_Jax** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:29 pm

Do a Google search for "Plano+Inhibitor". Some time back I bought a couple of Plano boxes that came with these Inhibitor strips. They're 1" by 3.5" thin strips that fit nicely in the box compartments without taking up any room. My tackle hasn't been exposed to a lot of moisture, but in over two years, I don't have any rust.

Oldschool · Post by **Oldschool** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:26 pm

There are hooks that rust and hooks that don't. The steel hooks that have been heat treated, chemically sharpen and black nickel, will corrode depending on the environment they are kept in.
As stated earlier, keep the hooks in there original plastic bags whenever possible.
What cuases corrosion is a combination of dissimilar metals and a electrolyte. Fresh water isn't a electrolyte unless mixed with alkaline or acid; salt air or exhaust fumes. Keep the moisture out or let the air flow freely so the hooks stay dry.
I keep my worm hooks stored in 1 gallon Zip lock bags, in the original plastic bags, by size, in a soft tackle bag and haven't had any corrosion problems.
If you organize the hooks in any plastic storage box, moisture may get to all the hooks during rainy weather and you could loose a lot hooks as a result.
Tom

Sean Graf · Post by **Sean Graf** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:41 pm

Alex M. wrote:I stopped using Plano boxes a long time ago for this reason. I switched over to Flambeau boxes and I'll never look back. Their boxes are made from a plastic which already contains anti-rust stuff in it. It's called "Zerust". Here's a link in case your interested: http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/otd ... pinner.asp . If you wanna keep your present boxes, they also make an anti-rust insert: http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/otd ... sories.asp .

Again...highly recommended !

+343

jimmy87 · Post by **jimmy87** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:06 pm

all this complex talk makes me laugh. I fish in the rain often. I enjoy a good rain storm.
All you need is a little tiny shot of wd 40 in your box every month or 2.
it keeps the moisture out one way or the other. I hit all my hook boxes and hard bait boxes with it.
The trick is to understand how little it realy takes. one would think that you have to cover all the hooks and lures with wd 40. not the case at all. Just a very fine mist run once across the open box with the gear inside is all it takes.

that simple

Oldschool · Post by **Oldschool** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:24 pm

Water Displacement formula #40 has a wide following for being a cure all. Some folks even use it as a fish attractant, so if you are in that camp, spray away. My time on the water is important to me and any residue or odor that might turn off a bite, doesn't get anywhere my lures and WD-40 falls into that group.
There are some good products listed regarding hook rust prevention and I going to check them out, especailly for the green water lures.
Tom