stainless steel hooks do not rust away and can do severe damage to fish that escape a broken line. Steel hooks rust away within days and allow the fish to heal quickly from a lodged hook. Stainless hooks are illegal in most salt water applications nowadays and they are virtually unnecessary in fresh water. I never use them anymore. If a 20 cent hook does rust over time, I replace it but that has really never been a problem for me. I do wash my tackle after salt water fishing and I don't allow water in my tackle boxes so I really never have a problem with steel hooks.
