He inhaled the hook!!

[langs15]

OK, sad story took place yesterday, I got a smallie and he inhaled the hook, since I was only fishing in my lake, i qucikly tired up my boat, put the fish in the livewell, and ran up here to look a tthe diagram to get it out. But it didn't work. Any help for future stuff like this anyone? I am not sure if it died, I just cut the line. :'( :'(

[fishingfrenzy]

I always keep pliers with me in case that were to happen.  Also if you know it's useless cut the line and the hook will rust out.  If the worst happens and the fish dies, better get the skillet ready.

[Captain Cali]

Another thing I carry besides a couple of long nose of pliers are some good heavy duty cutting pliers/dikes. You can cut the hook in half and it will make taking it out easier. I have yet to do this but have come close and probably should have in a few occasions.

If you see the point, sometimes you can pull the hook out backwards with pliers if you cut the line.

[Guest bigtex]

Things like this are going to happen no matter what.  I think that if you can't get the hook out and it is lodged into its throat, then just keep and clean the fish for you or someone else.  I personally wouldn't throw it back because the chances are of survival are slim to none.  

[Jeff P.]

I wonder nowadays with the new hooks if they really do rust out like people say.  I would speculate that it takes a very long time indeed for some of today's hooks to rust out.  When this situation happens where a fish has swallowed the hook deeply, and I know the fish has a poor chance of survival, I'll keep the fish to eat.

[RLinNH]

great post Captain Cali. I feel the same about throwing fish back. I come from a fly Fishing back ground, and if the trout was bleeding through the gills, I would pull the Priest out and kill the fish for consumption. Bass are a little tougher then Trout and can handle a little more abuse. I like the idea of Cutting the hook and slipping it out backwards. Also, Jeff brought up a good point as far as the hooks nowadays being rust resistent. I think it would take a looooooong time for the hjlok to rust out. So, if you absolutely can not get the hook out, bring the fish to the dinner table. Just my .02 cents though...

[Minuteman]

A reminder that in my state (PA) right now it is illegal to keep any bass. I would have to cut 'em loose even if I knew it was going to die or be a state record!

[flechero]

A reminder that in my state (PA) right now it is illegal to keep any bass. I would have to cut 'em loose even if I knew it was going to die or be a state record!

Mortgage interest rates are still good... I'd move while the market is hot! ;D

[Guest avid]

When this happens, I find that I often can pull the hook out through the gills and cut it outside the fish.  Then simply pull the line back out his mouth.  They bleed for sure, but I think I have saved a few this way.

[fishingfrenzy]

Mortgage interest rates are still good... I'd move while the market is hot!    

I don't think that would make much of a difference.  I have the same rules for my state.  Some pond bass have already spawned where I'm at, but you can't keep fish for another good month.  

[langs15]

I couldn't see the hook point, only the top of it, I think next time I am going to get the wire cutters, already have loong needle nose pliers, but cutting it I think woulda worked!

[Glenn]

This works, but it takes practice.  It's especially difficult on small fish.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1146077031

[jwright]

I carry wire cutters to cut the hook itself. I think I saved many fish this way. If the barb is exposed I see no sense in leaving the hook in. Just cut off the barb and back the hook out.

[Skwerl]

Since I'm only fishing for sport, I can see no reason whatsoever for using barbed hooks. I always knock the barb off my hooks. Makes it easier to back the hook out.

[Rattletrap]

I wonder nowadays with the new hooks if they really do rust out like people say. I would speculate that it takes a very long time indeed for some of today's hooks to rust out. When this situation happens where a fish has swallowed the hook deeply, and I know the fish has a poor chance of survival, I'll keep the fish to eat.

I heard they don't rust out, and they have no enzyme they produce that will rust it out. If they do rust out, it must be years. How about Catfish troutlines?  How many troutlines have you had to replace the hooks on. They stay in in the water all the time. The hooks get rusty, but they don't disappear. Gut hooks are part of fishing. It's usually rare that it happens, so have a fish dinner every so often.