Hook removal from fish.....what's the secret?

[jdw174]

I keep watching these guys on TV landing fish with two sets of trebles in their mouth, then while holding the fish in one hand, gently shake the lure with the other and the hooks just pop free.  When I get one like that the hooks will barely come out when using a pair of pliers!!!  Same thing with jigs or worm hook.  They reach in there with two fingers and POP....out it comes.  Gotta be black magic or something.... :-?

[WanderLust]

Or they crush the barbs.

[GrundleLove]

I keep watching these guys on TV landing fish with two sets of trebles in their mouth, then while holding the fish in one hand, gently shake the lure with the other and the hooks just pop free. When I get one like that the hooks will barely come out when using a pair of pliers!!! Same thing with jigs or worm hook. They reach in there with two fingers and POP....out it comes. Gotta be black magic or something.... :-?

I was literally thinking the same thing....i even slowed down my DVR one time too see what they were doing. It is like magic...

[Jigfishn10]

If you push the hook to the opposite side of the barb and then pull out, you should be able, on most occasions, remove the hook with out tearing it out of the fishes mouth.

It's a good technique if you hook yourself...LOL

[Intrepid]

If you push the hook to the opposite side of the barb and then pull out, you should be able, on most occasions, remove the hook with out tearing it out of the fishes mouth.

It's a good technique if you hook yourself...LOL

excellent observation

[Hot Rod]

The easiest way to get a jig out is to "pop" it.  If the lead head of the jig is on the outside of the fishes mouth you can do that.  Most often times with a jig you hook em in the top part of the mouth where it is all "bone" and can be difficult to get out any other way.

Hold you hand flat.  Use your palm in a quick sharp motion to quickly punch the jig back into the fishes mouth by hitting the jig at the line tie/head area with the base of your palm.  Usually the jig will pop free. 

[CSimon2]

I am with Wanderlust.  I think they either crush down the barbs or use barbless hooks.

[WanderLust]

I do it for all of my kid's gear... It makes the survival rate much higher for young angler's fish. It's also much easier for them to remove the hook. 

Larry Dahlberg has some cool ideas as well.