How to Make a Fishing Hook Out of Wood

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Knowing how to carve a wooden fishing hook is an important skill, especially when hunting, camping or hiking in the backwoods. Using just three simple items, you can craft a wooden hook, which you can then bait and drop to the bottom for a catch. While the hook is primitive, it is durable and effective. Use the hook as a backup or you can rig your reel with it whenever you are fishing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Twine or cordage
Wood

Step 1

Carve a slender piece of wood, which can be from a locust tree or other nearby tree down to a 1-inch straight splinter with a point. Start with a piece of wood that is about 1 inch lengthwise and shave it down, causing one end to narrow slightly until the pointed end is sharp to the touch.

Potential carving tools include a pocket knife, a hunting knife or a sharp scrap of metal.

Step 2

Carve a slight groove at the top of the dull end. Stand the piece of wood upright so the dull end is closest to you and the pointed end is to the ground. Rotate the dull end of the wood in a smooth 360-degree turn so the blade cuts through the wood and forms a single groove around the entire width of the top part of the wood.

A clean cut is not necessary, as it doesn't have to be completely straight and free of jagged edges. However, make sure the depression is shallow and not significant enough to weaken the integrity of the wood.

Step 3

Attach twine or cordage made up of multiple strands that you can pull apart. Pull the cordage apart slightly by hand so a small loop forms out of the separated strands. Pass the hook point through the loop and then drive the loop back to the dull end, where the groove is located. Adjust as necessary until the loop is seated inside the groove.

Step 4

Open the cordage just below the first loop and create a second loop. Pass the cordage once more through the hook point and push the loop back toward the dull end. Press the loop back so it is flush with the loop seated inside the groove. If the second loop does not fit inside the groove, don't worry; the biggest concern is seating the first loop.

Step 5

Hook the bait. Pierce the bait with the hook and push it forward so it lays parallel with the cordage.

Tips & Warnings

Locus trees have splinters, which you can also use instead of carving a piece of wood.

The length of the cordage must be significant enough to allow you to drop your hook to the depth you wish to fish.

This task requires use of a sharp knife.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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