Skin plugs and rusty stains.
 

Anyone do anything to prevent skin plugs from getting rust stains from hooks? I'm inclined to think it doesn't much matter, but curious if anyone does anything to help. I cut my hooks, so the split ring option doesn't thrill me.

Only thing I've seen that works is removing the hooks I dont bother doing that and have seen that the fish really notice or care
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After you put the hook on, coat the cut with clear Sally Hansen nail polish or some 2 minute epoxy ;).
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I rinse the plug after fishing and place the plug w/hooks off the bed of kosher salt to minimize the rust effect. I store my skin plugs in a tupperware container with a bed of salt on my shelf in the garage. No frige or freezer. Skins always supple and ready to go. About 1/2" of salt along the bottom. Lay the plugs after rolling in salt then put the hook on the plug top, off the salt. I does help for awhile. Still they eventually rust. Cut hooks are the biggest culprit. I know of some who hook their plugs when they go out. Then remove after. Split rings for sure. I do some needles w/splits but prefer my atom style swimmer w/o splits. Anyhow the rusted polka dots looks a little like a odd wonderbread option.

I Just keep fishing them without worrying about the color. I probably sharpen the hooks a little more often or even change them out more than I typically change out hooks on non eel skin plugs.