Guys,
when the bass swallows the hook whole rather than strike it, the hook gets lodged in the fatty part in the back of their throat. I have a helluva time getting those hooks out without damaging the fish. Any tips on removal other than cutting the line and hoping it rusts out ?
when the bass swallows the hook whole rather than strike it, the hook gets lodged in the fatty part in the back of their throat. I have a helluva time getting those hooks out without damaging the fish. Any tips on removal other than cutting the line and hoping it rusts out ?
Barbless hooks or using a good long pair of hemostats both work. This technique works for me sometimes - http://everything-smallmouth.com/gut-hooked-fish-removal/
another method if the point is showing is to clasp the point with hemostat and use side cutters to cut as much of the shank off and remove the point. for small hooks like drop shot this tool works well. the hook will not rust if you leave it in.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-SqueezeOut-Hook-Remover/product/10213376/
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-SqueezeOut-Hook-Remover/product/10213376/
Barbless hooks or using a good long pair of hemostats both work. This technique works for me sometimes - http://everything-smallmouth.com/gut-hooked-fish-removal/
This has worked for me 100% of the time.
There has been plenty of studies done about the survival rate of bass that been "gut" hooked. They do have a high mortality rate, but it wasn't that much different when you get one that is a bleeder from a hook in the gill plate. If you do gut hook one you should cut it off, I forget the numbers but they have a higher survival rate then when the hook was removed in the same situation.
I always carry a pair of heavy duty cutters to cut hook and take out all the pieces. Loose a hook and save a fish if you throw worms you must carry a pair or you shouldnt be throwing them if you love catching fish just come prepared to loose hooks without trying to get hook loose. I always use them and my fish do very well
Thanks for the tips guys. I'm new to the forum and pretty new to fishing in general, I don't get all the hate from you guys about throwing senkos? They are easy to set up and effective. Living in Boston I have about 30-45 min to fish after work, and it's really my best option. Why so much hate towards them?
Your tips on removing the hooks are great, I went out and got some bolt cutters and got 3 hooks out of 3 gut hooked fish this weekend, all swam away unharmed.
Your tips on removing the hooks are great, I went out and got some bolt cutters and got 3 hooks out of 3 gut hooked fish this weekend, all swam away unharmed.