How to Make Your Own Fishing Hooks

zetrules on Flickr

Fishing hooks are made from all sorts of materials, including metal, wood and chicken bones. For the handyman or budget fisherman, making fishing hooks out of junk is a good way to recycle materials and save money on fishing supplies. One of the most effective homemade fishing hooks is made of barbed wire and can be finished in just a few minutes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Barbed wire Wire cutters Needle-nose pliers Work gloves
Barbed wire
Wire cutters
Needle-nose pliers
Work gloves

Step 1

Wash barbed wire under a strong water spray to remove dirt and other sediments.

Step 2

Clip the wire just past a barb. Make another cut about one inch up on the other side of the barb. You will fashion this piece into a hook.

Step 3

Use your needle-nose pliers to bend the barb to resemble a curved hook. If your wire has two barbs attached at the same place, you may choose to curve both barbs slightly upward to form an anchor hook. This type of hook is not recommended for catch-and-release fishing because of its likelihood to cause a fatal injury to the fish.

Step 4

Bend the top of the hook back until it touches itself, forming a loop to thread the fishing line through. To seal it, hold the end over a flame for 10 to 15 seconds and pinch gently with the pliers.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...