Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[adub93]

I just started fishing about a week ago and im hooked, but grabbing a big fish by its mouth seems a little strange to me, how do i get over the fear of sticking my hand in the fishes mouth???  :-[

[senko_77]

when i was younger, i stuck my hand right in a bluefish's mouth and got torn up real good.  they have a huge row of razors in there mouth.  so i was always afraid to lip bass.  one day, i went fishing with a girl from school, and that fear went away real quick.  you just stick that thumb and pointer finger down there and turn your hand into pliers.  

[NEBassMan]

ha ha, just got to do it man.  If you're worried about the hooks, you can wet your hand, then grag them from the back right behind the gills.  This will stop them from flopping and allow you to get the hook out.  Use a pair of pliers to grab the hook if you don't want to grab it with your hand.  Once the hook is out, just grab a good hold of the lower lip and hold it up and smile for the camera!

Jason

[Grey Wolf]

Just do it , but make sure its a bass first . Muskie , walleye have a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Welcome to BassResource.com   You will like it here...

There is no real science to it. First off, make sure the fish you are grabbing by the mouth is not a species with large teeth (musky, walleye, shark perhaps). Also, be wary of what type of lure you are using. It is very easy to snag yourself on a treble hook when lipping a fish. Other than these two considerations, IMO you dont really have anything to be scared of. Once you catch a few and get some practice, all will be right with the world....

Happy fishing, Enjoy

[adub93]

it still is freaky i mean should i use gloves or somthin?

[Matt Fly]

As far as I can remember, there has never been a death or mutilation from sticking your thumb into a bass' mouth.    LOL

The don't have anything sharp as the way of teeth to seriously hurt anyone.

That rule doesn't apply to every fish, but does on bass.

Hookem

Matt

[Matt Fly]

And!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the forum.

Matt.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

But let's tell him WHY not to be afraid. WHAT to expect.

Now, refer back to speedbeads comment as to species. You don't want to "lip" the wrong species. Certain species, the largemouth being the icon of, are perfect for lipping!!

Inside, along the rim, there are tiny little cartilage barbs that feel like velcro or sandpaper. Honestly,...this is the Largemouth's version of TEETH. You can rub your fingers all over this area and the worst thing that will happen is the skin gets chaffed as if you just rubbed it on sandpaper. IT'S NO DIFFERENT!.

Now that's the inner lip wher you grab them as illustrated below. 2 things to be cautious of are...

1. The "crushers" down in the throat. The bass uses these to crush prey just before and as they pass it into the stomach chamber and these can give you a good squueze if you try chasing as gut hooked hook with your fingers instead of pliers.

2. The gills. The red, panels of flesh inside the gill plate are a vital part of the LM's anatomy. Be sure not to harm them in any way. Avoid all contact if possible.

Look Here.

Don't be afraid. do it once. take a good look in there and familiarize yourself with all the parts and their textures. From that point on, know that no matter how much bigger or smaller, all bass will be the same.

[adub93]

i think its the initial grabbing of the fish's mouth that erks me, i mean once i get the courage to grab it im fine but im having trouble with 1-2 pounders i mean what am i gonna do if i catch somthing alot bigger?

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'm afraid of lipping little fish. Reason is Roadwarrior will make fun of me for bringing small fish to the boat..  Lipping big fish is easy.  

Like LBH posted there is nothing to worry about.  After a few times it will become routine and you wont even think about it.  The scuff marks they leave on your thumb is proof that you caught fish and not in a lie.  

[Alpster]

It's much easier to get hold of a larger fish, at least it is with my arthritic hands.

Ronnie

[nboucher]

Besides, when the pad on your thumb gets that sandpaper-y feel, you'll know you've had a super day of fishing.

[BASS fisherman]

You just have to do it.  Face your fear.  It won't hurt you.  the only part  of a bass you should watch, other than what LBH said, are the spines on the fin on the bass's back.  They can ***** you, and it will sting for a while.  I once had a smallmouth clamp down on my thumb, but only for a second, and it felt like a pressure.  It didn't hurt.  And like GMan said, the bassers thumb is the best.  Kind of like a reminder of the ones you got.  After you bring the bass in, let it wear it's self out, if it's not already.  Becareful if it is flipping around, of the hook.  If you can't do it, just hold the line, and over the water, use your pliers to shake the bass off, if the bass is hooked in the lip.  If inside the mouth, or gut hooked, you'll either have to lip it, or wet your hands, and hold it behind the gills.  You have to build up your confidence, and then you'll think back, "I actually used to be afraid to lip em, wow"

[Dane]

C'mon man, do it!  All the cool kids are.

You wanna be cool, don't you?

i'm not gonna lie, its an unnatural feeling the first time ya do it.

Here's the technique my father taught me on my first fishing trip.

Reach down into your pants, grab a handful, and just go for it.

What I mean is that you are building the suspense, like a bomb is gonna go off, or something drastic is gonna happen when you do it.  The first time you grab ahold, you realize - wow...thats it?

Dont even think about it, don't build up the suspense.  Just go for it.

[FatBoy]

Everybody else has already covered it pretty much...you just gotta do it.  Another thing I will add, though, is make sure you grab the lip good and tight.  There's a good chance the fish will shake if he's not completely tired out.   If you don't have a good grip, he'll slip out.  At least two bad things can happen at that point.  If the hook is still in his mouth, you can get stuck.  And MUCH worse, if it's a big enough fish and your rod is in the wrong position (like pointing straight up) the weight of the fish can break your rod.  

You can fish with a bandage on your thumb or even a few stitches.  But a broken rod?  Man, THAT bites!!!  

[NJbassman]

Like what FatBoy said, you have to grip it hard and not let go, even if it budges. Sometimes when I try to take a pic of it while holding it, the LMB sometimes flops while your holding it (well, that's only if it's not tired out). Just have a really stronge grip on the bass, and it'll be way easy.

Well, I would think they everyone here can grip the fish with their bare hands, but if your still scared then just use gloves for starters, and then go without one in the future.

All you'll really have at the end is like (what LBH said) a chaffed finger, almost like sandpaper...You hand won't bleed, and you obviously won't die. Think of the finger as a "Trophy" to remind yourself you caught some bass!

And welcome!

[FatBoy]

...and if you lip enough big bass that your thumb DOES start to bleed, believe me you will be having such a good time you won't care!!!   ;D ;D ;D

[adub93]

do you guys use the right or the left hand?

[Dane]

adub, i don't  wanna sound like an A-hole, but really don't even think about that.  there isn't a science behind it, when the fish gets close, grab it and dont let go.  The only reason I need to see you through is my fishing partner is d**n near 21 (i'm only 21 myself) and he still gets the fish in the boat and is all wiggly-giggly about lipping it.  One of these days, a milwaukee's best light can is gonna fall on top of him, and that will be tragic.  

Like a previous poster said, go fishing with a girl and you'll get over it quickly.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I typically use my left hand and hold my rod in my right hand.

[adub93]

thanks guys i think ill be able to handle it now, i mean i dont want a "milwaukee's best light" can to fall on me, i think im gonna head down to the lake right now,  thanks again!!

[FlyRod]

I just started fishing about a week ago and im hooked, but grabbing a big fish by its mouth seems a little strange to me, how do i get over the fear of sticking my hand in the fishes mouth???  :-[

Start with one of these. After you get out of the hospital a bass will be a snap.

http://myfwc.com/fishing/images/fish-pic/hyd-gol.jpg

Jes' tryin' to help.

F.Rod

[FrankM]

Hahah,i love those commercials ;D