Preventing Rusty Hooks

[squeedunk]

I was looking through my tackle box, wishing it were summer, and noticed that the hooks on some of my crankbaits are starting to rust. I leave my lures out to dry after use but there must still be some moisture in my box that is getting the hooks rusty. Is there anything that works to get rid of rust on lures or prevent it from happening any farther? Thanks in advance for any input~Squee

[CrappieJohn]

Check to be sure that you do not have anything with salt in it in your box. Bags of worms or other plastics that are "salt impregnated" or a used chunk of pork laying in there can attract moisture even when sealed. Store these items in a seperate satchel or soft side.

[squeedunk]

I never thought of that, but my cranks are in a seperate box all to themselves. I have seen some rust inhibitor stuff advertised for guns but I thought that may have some scent that fish wouldn't like. I have also heard that WD-40 can be used as a fish attractant and I know that helps with rust but I don't think I want to spray WD all over my lures when they are in my box unless I know it is going to help. Thanks for the info CrappieTom.

~Squeedunk

[delmuts]

it seems impossible to get away from having some rust, but you can leave your boxes open for a day or so after use to air out. get some of the gel/silicon packs to put insode with your lures will help too. i tried the Rust Inhibitor products. i wasn't real impressed with them.check your lures once in a while . if you see rust. use a wire brush to remove it , or replace the hook.i've never tried oils or scents due to the mess. i'm still looking too.

[Esoxmn]

inhibitor helps

[Ed Carlson]

Ya..rust sucks Eh.

I tote a fair share of cranks, terminal tackle, jigs, rigs, and whatever around and if they can rust..they will. What I have gone to is switching over to products that host the Zerust® and the Zerust® Vapor Capsule systems. They have pretty much brought my rust worries to a halt.

The second tip I have is look for replacement box’s that also have a good seal in the tray enclosure and hosts the Zerust® protection. That way you keep the water out and the stuff inside protected.

Other cool news from the Rust Wars front is the Zerust® protection is being infused into more products all the time. Very soon, you will see most marine storage areas protected with the system as well as the electronics compartments. We are already seeing it in new soft-side tackle systems and hard tray tackle systems of all sizes.

Here is a blurb from the Zerust® folks on how and why the stuff works. I think it is well worth a read.

Zerust® products contain proprietary chemical formulations that release an invisible, odorless, non-toxic, non reactive, non flammable and non-allergenic vapor which is diffused throughout an enclosure. Electron scanning instrumentation shows that the Zerust® corrosion inhibiting -rich atmosphere causes Zerust® corrosion inhibiting molecules to condense in a microscopic layer on all exposed surfaces - including electrical contacts and micro-switches. These metal surfaces inside the enclosure are inhibited from corrosion by the condensed Zerust® molecules thereby improving the component's reliability and effectiveness.

The Zerust® corrosion inhibiting layer is maintained as long as there is no significant, continuous exchange of air within the enclosure. Electron scanning further shows that once the Zerust® capsule is removed from the enclosure, the Zerust® corrosion inhibiting layer immediately proceeds to vaporize from the contents' surfaces, leaving clean, dry, and corrosion-free contents within the enclosure. Applying Zerust® products is as easy as placing a Zerust® product (such as a Zerust® Vapor Capsule) inside of an enclosure containing metal products, or enclosing the metal product inside a package made from Zerust® materials-the Zerust® corrosion inhibitors apply themselves.

When Zerust® products, such as capsules are used in a maintenance role such as in operating electrical boxes and control panels, the protective mechanism enables electrical contacts and circuits remain corrosion free. This prevents any contact failure in electrical components caused by unseen corrosion and improves the components' reliability and service life.

Yup..good stuff and cheap insurance. I have opened my box's of $100's dollars worth of hooks in the spring and found half or more were shot due to rust. Man that will put a crimp in your spring fever Eh!

So for me, it is well worth the little extra expense when it is time to replace them old stained up plastic tackle trays and box’s with new Zerust® protected ones.

[fisherdog19]

I believe Flambeau makes some plastic tackle boxes that have Zerust in the moveable dividers, the dividers are blue. I picked a few up last winter because I was having trouble with my glow jigs corroding and turning brown, especially the red one's, and these boxes have licked the problem. Very impressed with the problem.

Fisherdog

[squeedunk]

The Zerust sounds like the way to go. I just bought a new tackle box so I really don't want to get another new one if I don't have to. I looked at the Zerust web site and it looked like there were some capsules (like Ed said) that they made that would prevent rust also if placed in a tackle box. Does anyone know where they might be sold? Northern Tool??? Gander??? Home Depot???

Thanks for all the info!

~Dan

[Ed Carlson]

I think GM and other retailers will handle the Z-Tabs and the Z capsules. The Z-Tabs are the Zerust replacement dividers that can be used in many models of storage compartments. Them Blue looking deviders..yup..them are the Z-Tabs.

Lots of companies are offering their modular box’s with the Z-Tabs now...good deal Eh. Look for the Zerust tag on soft pack box as they are incorporating Zerust into them as well.

I have a hunch that as the Zerust is easily incorporated into plastics and many metals it will be a standard in reels soon. Reels that resist rusting, not a bad plan.

Could cars and trucks be far behind? Who knows?

This new "Alien Technology" is wonderful stuff Eh.

[LiLBro]

i use the silica gel packets that they put in like shoe boxes and beef jerkey and stuff. seems to work pretty well. one or two in each box is good, plus they are free.