bass deeply hooked

[TrippyJai]

Well I finally caught my first bass this year and It was hooked in the throat. I tried to use the method through the gills, but I felt like I was struggling too hard so I decided to cut the line on the eye of the hook and let it go. It didn't really swim away, but I saw it splash around belly up and never saw it again. I know this topic has been brought up over and over and everyone has a different answer so does the fish live or die? I've heard everything from if it bleeds it does, etc.

I'm not sure why I care so much because I've hooked many bass in the throat before, but for some reason I feel like unhappy this time. Maybe it was the first bass this year and it might die. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, it was a pretty big bass too. Should of taken it home and cried while I ate it... just playing...

[Jig Man]

My guess is if the bait is still on the hook the fish will have trouble eating so it may die.

I have caught a few fish that have passed the hook completely through their digestive systems and had a rusty hook hanging out their anus with mono line going up into it.

[BassThumb]

Lately, I've been putting severe bleeders in my livewell, and set it to full recirculate. The usually die after two hours or so. Their gills gradually get lighter and lighter, as they bleed out. I tried pouring cola down their throats which stops the bleeding temporarily...until you put them back into the water. Then they get filleted and I eat them or give the fillets away. After an overnight ice water soak in the fridge, with a pinch of baking soda thrown in to take away the weedy taste, they're not half bad. I consider it the best alternative to a bad situation, better than letting the loons and muskrats have it. I deep-hook a lot of fish on frogs, so bass has been on the menu quite often lately. :'(

[Glenn]

Well, I know this is going to sound like a sales pitch, but when I have a severe bleeder that's gut hooked, I cut the line about 2 feet above the hook, throw him in the livewell and add "Please Release Me". 

About 10-15 mins later, he's fine and swimming normally.  THEN I use the hook removal method mentioned on this site.

I've done this during tournaments where I've left the fish in the well for hours, and they've fared just fine.

I'm not saying you can save every fish, but often they have a better chance of surviving if you do a little triage rather than just letting them go.

[Hellbenderman]

....or....we could get on board with flattening hook barbs, and less likely, use circle hooks which almost always hook in the front side of the mouth...

[I.rar]

i always feel bad when i gut hook a fish small or large. i had a few that were bleeding very bad. one i kept in my hands trying to revive it for at least 5 minutes before i gave it a soft shove and it went belly up. i figure i just helped out another animal get an easy meal. there isnt anything you can do once it already happened.

i made it habit that every hook i use , the barb is crushed. i also became pretty quick at the through the gill method. when i first tried it , i thought having the fish out of the water for 20-30 seconds was too long so i would send it off with a hook in its mouth. now i will keep trying untill i feel im doing the fish more harm than good. so far , ive gotten almost all my deep hooks out.

glenns method sounds like an excellent one , but not everyone has a boat/livewell.

[rboat]

I think through the gills method works, I just have not mastered it quickly enough yet.

My solution, get a long handled extra sharp pair of side cutters from your local home store. I can cut through even the thick superline hooks fairly easily. Once cut, all or most of the hook falls right out. It is quick and it gives the fish a better chance of survival in my opinion.

[gobig]

Well, I know this is going to sound like a sales pitch, but when I have a severe bleeder that's gut hooked, I cut the line about 2 feet above the hook, throw him in the livewell and add "Please Release Me". 

I have had the same experience. My understanding is that some of the live well additives help clot the blood.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I recently caught a bass, when I pulled it out of the water I removed my hook and noticed that there was another hook in its throat. At first I didnt know what to do, there was clotted blood all over one side of its gill, and I could see the hook point protruding from that same gill.  Then I realized there was a topic on how to remove hooks from the throat.  I did the through the gill method and backed the hook out its throat and carefully pulled the hook out the gill so it wouldnt catch anything and hurt the fish further. 

[TrippyJai]

Thanks for all the replies. Went out today, caught 4 bass, 1 catfish and the hot sets where very well. I should learn some patience and stop getting distracted when the day is slow.

[racer894]

Dont you lose more fish if you crush the barb?

[Nebraska Bassin]

Dont you lose more fish if you crush the barb?

I haven't tried it, but I would think that with a good hookset, as long as you retreived the fish steadily and didn't give it any slack you wouldn't lose the fish.

[I.rar]

Dont you lose more fish if you crush the barb?

it is easier for them to shake the hook , but if pressure is kept throughout the fight , you will land that fish.

not to mention how easy/safe it is to get that hook out. i dont mind loosing a fish or two if i know it will live to be caught again.