Hook getting stuck in the throat?

[underwraps1]

The hook got stuck in 2 of the fish' throat I caught today. I was trying to hurry up and get it out, but I didn't have any pliers, and I haven't released many fish, considering I've only been fishing for 2 months. What is the quickest way to take a hook out of a fish' mouth without hurting them?

[Quinn]

This might help, Glen's post is very informative.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

[bilgerat]

If you don't have a hook remover or pliers (start carrying them NOW!) the best thing to do in that situation is to cut the line as close as possible to the hook and release the fish immediatly. It's not a guarentee the fish will survive, but it's the best thing to do.

For throat hooked fish, LONG handeled wire cutters are the best thing. Cut the hook as close to the area it goes into. In other words, get as much of the hook as possible. Be quick, you're not performing surgery. Fish are capable of passing pieces of hook through their system. It will have a much better chance of survival.

[bilgerat]

Okay, Quinn got his post in seconds before me. Glen's is probably the better method. I wasn't aware of that technique. See, old dogs can learn new tricks

[underwraps1]

Thanks, I'll try that next time.

[bassfisher2]

On a related topic, It makes hook removal out of fish or fishermen a lot easier if you squeeze down the barbs, I find I lose no more fish using barbless and it is so much more fish friendly.  p.s. rapala pliers are a good tool .

Bob  

[TommyBass]

The method posted by Quinn / Glen is the most effective by far.  I figured this out several years ago and have not lost a fish since doing it this way.  Just be very careful of the gills, they like to sneak into your pliars before you close them.  But if you still have trouble, trying to pinch the barb and or cutting the hook itself are good options.  Cutting the line should be last resort.

[WRB]

Prevention is the best cure. Bass will swallow live bait or soft plastics if you allow them too much time before setting the hook. When you feel a slight tap, swing, the bass already has the worm/bait in the back of its mouth and will either blow it out or swallow it. With practice you will stop gut hooking the bass. It is better to miss altoughter than trying to figure out how to unhook a gut hooked bass. Regardless of what you read, a high percentage of gut/throat hooked bass die of the stress of handling and bleeding out. If the bass looks like it is in trouble, it more than likely is going to die, so keep it and enjoy a good meal.

WRB

[Muddy]

Check that link out, I used it after Glenn showedit. I was fishing with a newbee and the fish were setting the hook on thier own, I had to dig out 2 plastic worms, then I handed him a Rapala, that worked out better 8-)

[SoFl-native]

That technique linked above is great. I have never seen it illustrated before, although i have used it for a while.

Everybody should know how to effectively do a throat hook removal....it happens to even the most seasoned anglers.

[I.rar]

what about fish with smaller mouths like snapper.

i went out to try my UL rig in salt water , pulled up a couple guthooked snapper. they refused to open their mouth and their gills arnt anywheer near the size of bass. so i cut the line right at their mouth and let em go. felt bad since one started bleeding out , but he managed to swim away....kinda. the other looked to be fine.

:-/