Hook removal

[khary23]

Hi, I hope every ones season is going as well as mine. I got a 40" fish on Saturday. We were using offset circle hooks, but the fish still got hooked deep. Does any one have a good method for removing the hook with out harming the fish? I wanted to release this fish, but I know she would not have made it. Thanks in advance

[sadlsorz]

Hey Khary, I don't have a tried and true method either, but I just wanted to mention that the offset circle hooks do tend to sometimes hook a fish deep. Stick with the inlines you'll be much better off. Congrats on the nice fish

[khary23]

thanks! I'll post a pic as soon as I get it email to me.

[MasterBaiter]

I think the best way for the fish to survive if hooked deep is for you to cut the line as close the hook as possible. The hook should pass through the stomach and break down, hopefully harmlessly to the fish.

[JakeF]

If I'm not planning to keep,, I tend to flatten my barbs slightly. Makes for a quicker, easier release, and I have yet to actually lose a fish due to this. The barb is still effective, but just doesn't protrude as far.

[khary23]

Thanks for the input. I thought about cutting the line, but we were using stainless steal hooks and wire leader because we were actually fishing for blue fish to use as shark bait. I think the hook would have been a problem had I left it in. I crush the barbs on all my plugs, but now I think I'm going to start doing it on my bait hooks to.

[khary23]

heres the pic. as you can see she bleed alot. Felt bad

[Striperjim]

Very Nice Fish Khary.

Try to carry a long handled hook extractor with you or a pair of hemostats.
There is a mortality hook study somewhere on the site. Leaving some line as opposed to cutting the line close to the hook

Embedded hooks: to remove or not... the science

[khary23]

Hey Jim. I read that thread, but we were using wire leaders and stainless, hooks. We had hemos but she was hooked really bad. I have seen those hook removers, do they work well? and how does one use them?

[Striperjim]

Its a trigger release. Squeeze Push the barb down and twist out.
Sometimes you just cant get them out unless you cut the hooks.
Trebles can be a nightmare especially if they vacuum the plug.
I carry a long handled pair of needlenose pliers.

[fishing4stripers]

Originally Posted by MasterBaiter

I think the best way for the fish to survive if hooked deep is for you to cut the line as close the hook as possible. The hook should pass through the stomach and break down, hopefully harmlessly to the fish.

I agree - just cut the line!

[khary23]

I don't think it would have worked this time.The hook was deeply embedded in the fishes gullet right past those crushers in the back of the mouth. I think I'm just gonna start crushing the barbs then I can just back the hook out

[Striperjim]

Based on his research, Foster recommended anglers carefully remove even deeply imbedded hooks. If the hook can not be removed, then it seems better to leave about 18 inches of line attached.

John Foster, Recreational Fisheries Coordinator for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources