Frequent use significantly lowers the total life of a hook as it wears down its original coating and is even a cause for weakening it, making it likely to dissolve with more haste.
One of the most significant things in the life expectancy of a fish hook is the material. Stainless steel hooks generally last longer. Wire hooks don’t have a protective coating layer which causes it to break down faster.
It’s obvious that larger fish hooks take longer to dissolve and rust than smaller ones. Larger hooks that are designed with more barbs and extra thickness also take longer to dissolve completely.
Fish hooks used in freshwater tend to last longer than those used in saltwater. This is because the high salt content in the water has an abrasive effect and enables the hook to dissolve with far more ease.
Do they dissolve when ingested by fish? Even if the fish swallows the hook, there’s a high chance that it will survive. Over their life, fish are able to swallow sharp and pointy things without feeling ill because of their strong stomach.