Newbie help with removing trebles

[kllrbee]

hey all,

Havent been fishing too long, but Im getting the hang of it and catching bass regularly.  Mostly 2-4 lbs.  but I love how they fight.  What a rush!!

Anyways, Ive been having a hard time on my last few getting the treble hooks out.  They are really in there.  Should I mash down the barbs?   Or is it just cuz Im new at unhooking them, I havent gained the knack for it yet? 

Also, I got myself hooked pretty good for the first time yesterday.  Hooked up a pretty good one in my kayak, tried to play him and tire him out, but when I went to lip him, he started flailing and I got one of the treble hooks caught in my hand.  I got it out with a needlenose so no ER or anything like that.  I realize its bound to happen every so often.  Nature of the beast.  But is there anything else I can do to try to have it not happen?  Should I get lip grips?

Thanks guys.   

[burce]

I've found that you really need to committ 100% when lipping a bass and lip them hard so you can hold on despite the flopping. When you aren't fully comittedyoull have a weak grip and that's when you can get stuck. Just use some needlenose pliers and hold them tight. You can always pinch the barbs but you risk losing a fish that way. Just gotta be careful with those treble hooks

[Nibbles]

I find that crimping the barb on 1 of the 3 hooks on a treble is usually enough to make removal much easier.

[Sam]

I have had to have a treble hook surgically removed so I know what you went through.

Also had to have two trailer hooks off a buzzbait pushed through my thumb and hand on two other occasions, so I get extremely careful when removing hooks.

You have to concentrate on getting the fish into the boat or out of the water first. You can do this by lifting the fish with your rod or placing your hand under its belly.

Very carefully grab the lower jaw and hold tight. Remove hooks with your needle nose pliers.

You are probably doing everything correctly. Just take your time and be careful and you will not have any problems. 

[Grey Wolf]

Get a lip gripper and a pair of long nose pliers. I've had too many hooks inbedded in my hands over the years and that's what I use.

[Dwight Hottle]

Use a boga or another lip gripper & long nose pliers. 

[NateFollmer]

Usually if you pinch their bottom lip hard enough, they'll stop moving. Pliers or something with a long handle will keep your hands safer(not 100% safe though). Get some of those hook remover things from bass pro (bill dance has one, but the bps brand works just as well). They are especially good for toothy critters.

[kllrbee]

Thanks for the help guys.

I went and got a gripper today.  Econoscale.  Cheaper version of a boga.  Man, those boga's are like 120 bucks!!  Too spendy for me. 

Anyways, if I was just fishing from shore, Id probly just grip the lip harder and do what I need to do if the fish flails. 

But, Im a little nervous in the kayak that the fish will flail right into my lap and Ill have trebles in my.....you know what.   :'(

Thanks for the advice tho about being 100% commited to the grip.  I think that might have been my problem.  I was grippin him like he would break.  Ill practice that when shore fishing. 

This forum rocks!!!! 

[sbrown]

Either swing em over the side of the boat or net em then let the needle nose pliers do their work. Lipping bass with treble hooks boat side is dangerous work.

[Skeet22]

Whatever you do just be careful. Had to get a treble cut out at the ER this past weekend. Not fun!!

[wis bang]

I've found that gripping the hook w/ my needle nose keeps things under control, then I grab the lip.

[islandbass]

I wholeheartedly agree on the 100% commitment thing.  I almost got "trebled" myself this past Saturday, because I didn't give it that needed commitment.

I think for me it is more difficult with smaller bass because their mouths are smaller.

I have also found that pressing down as described earlier usually does the trick.

At least you didn't suffer as badly as this guy!

And yes, that it the flesh of fish under the lure. OUCH!

[bigfruits]

trebles are pure evil.

id fish single hooks for a while (spinnerbaits, soft plastic, jigs) until youve landed a few more bass and kind of get a feel for when theyre going to shake and when its the right second to lip them. even then they'll still get you.

you can use a net, boga style gripper or swing them over with braid (mind the rod tip)