To Glenn, this one's for you

[Fishing Rhino]

Yes, another post about removing the hook from fish hooked in the gullet.

It has to be fate, karma, or whatever. I cannot remember the last time I caught a fish that was gullet hooked prior to your posting of that article.

Since then, the article is probably responsible for saving as many as eight fish.

Better yet, two of those were caught by fellows fishing with me.

They were in despair when all they saw of their hook was part of the shank and the eye, with the remainder in the throat.

Not to worry I told them. I know how to remove it without harm to the fish. They watched as I turned the hook and were amazed when it popped free, once turned.

Now, you have two more disciples, or proseletyzed two disciples for the fellow who discovered, and perfected the technique.

I would make one suggestion regarding the technique. A pair of curved hemastats/forceps are an invaluable tool to use in the procedure.

With them closed, they are easy to insert between the gills, then turn the curved part toward the hook, and rotate it to get it in the proper position.

It makes it easier on all sizes, but especially so on smaller fish, including dinks. Much less "invasive" than working with fingers inside the confines of a fishes mouth.

Thanks again. That is very possibly the most important article of the many you have posted for us, to enjoy and educate.

[J Francho]

The second round is on me. I believe that series of illustration was 1st published by In-Fisherman magazine. Anyway, I hadn't run into it myself in a long time, although I do find myself catching fish, and removing deeply embedded hooks left behind by another angler using this method. This spring I had a weird one, and had to use the method on the fish below.

[Eddie Munster]

Remember reading that but can you repost the link to it. Tried searching but can't put my finger on it.

Thanks.

[J Francho]

Its in the FAQs....

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

[EastMarkME]

The wealth of fishing information on this site is amazing.

Impossible to absorb it all. Its a beautiful thing.

Mark

[Eddie Munster]

Thanks Rhino/Francho. I need to practice at this.

[Sam]

I have done it and it works.

Saved a few bass.

Thanks, Glenn.  

[D4u2s0t]

I've used the "in through the gill trick" a few times since reading that post, never would have thought of doing it otherwise.  I'm sure i've saved a few fish that way.  I have always been able to get the hook out of a gullet hooked fish, but i'm sure the way I did it was much more stressful and damaging.  Before I knew this "trick" my logic was get it out at all costs, if I was a fish i'd rather have a torn gullet than starve to death.  very helpful.

[senile1]

It's a great technique and one of the few subjects that can't be repeated enough.  

[Red Bear]

a few days after i first read that post about removing the hooks like that i had to use the technique 3 times in one day, amazing

[Glenn]

Thanks guys.  I'm not the one who invented the technique.  I just brought the information forward.  I'm glad y'all are putting it to work and having great success with it!

Glenn

[Rhody]

used it for the first tine myself yesterday and it felt great, awesome technique