What is the preferred hook material stainless steel or high-carbon steel for saltwater ?
Raymond Adams
2003 Sea Fox 195 Bayfisher
Off shore bottom fishing, stainless are pretty much illegal now. We still use them for trolling.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
I prefer the high carbon. If its breaks off it will rot and fall out in a couple of days.
The stainless hooks will pull strait easier than a high carbon. The down side is that you wont re-use a hook unless its stainless. Stainless is great for mahi, since they don’t pull that hard. Easy on the drag if you use stainless.
Depends on the application for me. I use both, tying flies, rigging, and on lures. They all expendable as none will last forever. If you tie flies or dress a hook, stainless rust less, but will still rust. A good carbon steel hook can be a smaller diameter wire, and still be strong, so penetrates easier. If you’re primarily fishing inshore baits, either can be fine, and mostly will depend on what you may be willing to spend on the hooks. Carbon steel will usually stay sharper longer than stainless, so pro’s & con’s to both.
There’s also finish to consider with carbon hooks. I use tinned & the black nickel. Tinned hooks rust a little slower than the black nickel, and most of the better quality hooks, like Owner or Gamakatsu seem to have black nickel finishes, so choose what best fits your fishing & your wallet.
For what use?