Some thoughts on hook removal

[Tucson]

There are a couple of hook removal methods that I've learned and would like to pass on. The first is the Through-The-Gill method. This is particularly good when the bass has take the bait into his gullet and just the shank is sticking out. Essentially you determine where the barb end of the hook is, reach up through the gills (I use needle nose pliers) grab the line and pull a loop of line out through the gills. Then you pull the line down and the hook will rotate in the gullet, often popping right out or at least placing the hook in the right position for removal. This method is from In-Fisherman.

I've found two tools that are needed for hook removal, a needle-nose pliers and a pair of moderately heavy side-cutters (dikes). If hook removal is difficult you can often reach the barb with the side-cutters and clip it off. Once the barb is gone of course, the hook will come right out. It's often quicker to snip the barb and tie a new hook on then to putz around trying to remove it. Also a lot better for the fish.

Last method: In situations where the hook and barb have gone all the way through its mouth and is sticking out on the outside, just snip the line at the hook and pull the hook eye out the same way the barb went in. A lot easier and faster then trying to back the barb out in traditional manner.

[Bass_Akwards]

Glenn made this post a few months back. I happened to learn it from a friend. It is a tactic that has been most useful on the water. I've used the through the gill method dozens of times and it really works to perfection.

I caught a bass before I learned this method. It was on a red EWG #3 GY hook. I couldnt get the hook out and snipped the line and let her go. It was a 20 inch bass, which in Colorado make the fish OLD. My guess is 10+ years, and I felt really bad about leaving the hook in her throat. I had the bass out of the water a long time trying to get that hook out and just couldnt do it. I hoped the fish would swallow the hook and poop it out. (I've caught bass with hooks coming out of their ***)

A couple months later, I was fishing the same spot, and re-caught her. The red GY hook was still lodged in her throat. Not even close to rusted. (probably takes a year or more to rust on of those things out) She weighed less than she did before, and I thought her color looked different. I don't think she could hunt as well and swallow as well as she did before.

I had since learned the through the gill method and took the hook out for her when I caught her again. I almost could feel the sense of relief the fish must have had (not that they feel emotions) when that hook popped out after 7 weeks or so. Great method of hook removal and all anglers should know it, because contrary to popular opinion, hooks don't just rust out. If some anglers don't believe that, just go down to the local pond, fill a bucket up with pond water, take it home and drop some hooks in. Let me know when they rust enough to fall apart on their own.

[roadwarrior]

GREAT story! 

That is sooooooooo cool!

;D ;D ;D

[Bass_Akwards]

Thanks R Dub.  True story.  I honestly thought about that bass countelss times in the days proceeding her release with the hook still in her throat.  I felt bad for real.  I thought about hopefully catching her again many times.  When I did, and got the hook out, I felt awesome!  I was as relieved as the bass was. 

[Fishing Rhino]

While the through the gills article has been posted before, some may have missed it. 

That is the single greatest thing I have learned about fishing, without question.  It cannot be rerun too often.

I would add one more instrument, which, in my opinion, is far superior to needle nose pliers for the through the gill removal.  A pair of curved hemostats.

All the edges are radiussed, except for the biting edge, and they are polished stainless steel. 

But, their advantage is in the curve.  Try them once, and you won't want to be without them.

That the jaws lock can be helpful at times.  You can turn the hook, and if you need to do a bit more manipulation, you can leave the hemastats hanging giving you a free hand to work in the mouth.

[b.Lee]

Great post, I just learned a lot there in the 5 minutes reading all that.

[NewAngler]

Nice post. Never heard of that and I actually lost my first smallie due to a gullet hook. I didn't know what to do and had her out too long.

Thanks. Tuscson

[Catt]

I go though great lengths to stay on top of this bass fishing sport but until last year I never heard of the through the gill hook removal until Glenn posted it in answer to someone's question.

See even an ole dog can learn new trick

[fishfordollars]

I to learned it when Glenn posted a while back. Wish I had known it sooner. Made me think back about all the fish I had just cut the line on and released.

I seriously doubt that the hooks rust out quickly enough to help the fish. Makes you wonder how few actually survived when using the cut line method. I'm sure many more survive with this newer method. Everyone should know it and make an effort to remove all the deep hooks.

I too, use the hemostats. Just makes it so much simpler.

Thanks for posting it again.

Jack

[Shane Procell]

Thank you for posting this article. I always cut the line and leave the hook. I cannot tell you how many gut hooked bass we release each year. I am looking forward to applying and sharing this method with my fellow anglers.

[moby bass]

I've used the through the gills method several times, works well!  I have also had occasions where the hook seems twisted through various layers of skin and maybe even bone in the fish's mouth, and I have had difficulty removing it.  Rather than cutting the hook in half, I simply take a pair of pliers and crush the barb.  It usually breaks right off.  Hook is then easily removed and hook can continue to be used, barbless.

I actually like fishing with barbless hooks.  I have rarely lost a fish with barbless hooks. I think I'm still using one I crushed the barb on this past summer.

[grimlin]

How many people actually have problems trying this? Because for the life of me...this method isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.Specially on fish under 2#.

My last fish i killed because it was kept out of water too long.Not to mention i probably stressed it out as well.You almost need to practice this method in order to get it right.

I gut hook maybe one-two fish a year...I just end up either keeping the catch or giving it to somebody who is keeping their catch.

[I.rar]

How many people actually have problems trying this? Because for the life of me...this method isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.Specially on fish under 2#.

i give that a biiiig x2. ive never really had to use this method , but when i did , i had a hell of a time doing it. i remember catching small red snapper that were swallowing the hook left and right. after the first two didnt make it , i packed up and went home.

ive tried going through the gill with bass too , but that is a mission at the least. over time im sure i will get the hang of it , but that fact is , it is hard to practice if you arnt gut hooking fish.

[dman]

How many people actually have problems trying this? Because for the life of me...this method isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.Specially on fish under 2#.

i give that a biiiig x2. ive never really had to use this method , but when i did , i had a hell of a time doing it. i remember catching small red snapper that were swallowing the hook left and right. after the first two didnt make it , i packed up and went home.

ive tried going through the gill with bass too , but that is a mission at the least. over time im sure i will get the hang of it , but that fact is , it is hard to practice if you arnt gut hooking fish.

Ive never had to use this method but ive seen it here and im worried that its not going to be easy when i need to use it....I just dont get it that the "hook pops right out" - maybe and hopefully it does!  It would be great if someone has this on video that shows clearly how to do it

[J Francho]

How many people actually have problems trying this? Because for the life of me...this method isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.Specially on fish under 2#.

Quit catching dinks 

Just kidding.  I've found with little fish, a set of forceps works.  I had some experience dehooking blue gills while fishing with my nephew.  There are also "skinny" needle nose pliers, but I've never tried them.

[32251]

On a deep gullet hooked fish I find it easier and faster to just go in through the gills, grab the hook with the needle nose pliers, spin the hook until the barb exits the flesh, grab the barb end of the hook and pull it on though the opening and cut the line rather than trying to pull the barb back through the flesh. Retie the hook and your back in business and the fish is back in the water pretty quick.  I have had good luck doing this.

[b.Lee]

On a deep gullet hooked fish I find it easier and faster to just go in through the gills, grab the hook with the needle nose pliers, spin the hook until the barb exits the flesh, grab the barb end of the hook and pull it on though the opening and cut the line rather than trying to pull the barb back through the flesh. Retie the hook and your back in business and the fish is back in the water pretty quick. I have had good luck doing this.

I think this method is a great suggestions especially since it helps saves hooks and gets the fish back in the water quickly. Instead of cutting the barb or crimping it every time. And all you have to do is re-tie.

[angler1]

I use a specality pair of 90 degree angled pliers. They work great however they are around $36 a pop. Worth it though to know my kids can get a shot at catching good healthy fish and I am not depleteing the population of bass.

[Rebel Angler]

nice post thanks man

[MFBAB]

I used hemostats (to remove hooks )for years but I recently bought the type Bill Dance always uses on the show and it is amazing, here's a link.

http://www.lurenet.com/productdetail.aspx?id=N501

[Goose52]

I learned the through-the-gills method on this board and now use it all the time. I fish soft plastics often and my technique is usually to wait to set the hook until I think the fish has the entire bait and I feel the weight of the fish -  which often means a deep-set hook. Since learning this technique, I haven't left a hook in a fish yet. I've used this technique on bass as small as 10-11" or so, mostly with 1/0 or 2/0 hooks.

[evrgladesbasser]

I used hemostats (to remove hooks )for years but I recently bought the type Bill Dance always uses on the show and it is amazing, here's a link.

http://www.lurenet.com/productdetail.aspx?id=N501

X2. I bought the same thing a few weeks ago and it's been working great. It realy helps get the hook out when it goes deep.

[I.rar]

How many people actually have problems trying this? Because for the life of me...this method isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.Specially on fish under 2#.

i give that a biiiig x2. ive never really had to use this method , but when i did , i had a hell of a time doing it. i remember catching small red snapper that were swallowing the hook left and right. after the first two didnt make it , i packed up and went home.

ive tried going through the gill with bass too , but that is a mission at the least. over time im sure i will get the hang of it , but that fact is , it is hard to practice if you arnt gut hooking fish.

give me some needlenose and 15 seconds , ill get the hook out.  ;D

after having to use the through the gill method a few times since then , i now have no problem removing those deep hooks.

[triglet]

thanks for posting the link.  like many others i was taught to cut the line and it would rust out.  hey learn something new everday.  ill be giving this a try the next time im out there.