Deep Hook Removal For Bass

[Anonymous]

This is the walk through that was featured on Basscenter on how to remove the hook out of the gullet of a bass. I have used this technique successfully many times and by knowing this you can properly handle a deeply hooked bass without damaging the fish.


(1) With the hook in the gullet, note which side of the fish's mouth the hook shank is toward. Note: For illustration sake, the line is eliminated here in steps 2 through 5. In reality, the line stays connected as this technique is performed.





(2) With a finger or two, reach in through the last gill arch on that side of the fish and push and pull down on the hookeye so the hook turns and . . .







(3) rolls out below the gill toward the side of the fish. At that point, amazingly, the hook, barb and all, almost always pops free from its hold in the fish's gullet.







(4) Reach into the fish's mouth and grip the bend in the hook (which is now up) and . . .







(5) lift it free. If the fish's mouth is too small to reach in with your hand, use a needle-nose pliers to grip the hook bend.







Emphasized- how resilient a fish's gills actually are, far from being the fragile organs often suggest by some sources. And the occasional bleeding fish? Does it have to be kept?: "Just get the fish back into the water as soon as possible and, more often than not, the bleeding stops--at least we've caught these fish again and again.

The technique also works superbly on walleyes, smallmouths, and other fish, usually taken on smaller hooks, often salmon-style hooks:

* Look down the throat to check the hook position. If it's set in the throat or gullet--or it's out of sight--give a gentle pull on the line and the hook eye usually emerges.

* Check which side the hook shank is on. Then open the gill flap and, with small walleyes, use a forceps to grip the hook shank just below the eye. Roll the hook out toward the gill and side of the body of the fish and the hook and barb pop free from the lining of the gullet.

Simple as that. Really, it's amazing. With a bit of practice, you'll be killing fewer fish--indeed, almost no fish that you plan to release.

Once these techniques become much more widely used, we'll have taken another large step forward in helping to sustain better fishing based on a commitment to release some fish so they can be caught again.


fishnislife

[Edgeran]

Its been awhile since I had a bass gut a hook but that looks like a very handy technique. Especially since I am a huge advocate of "catch and release". Thanks for taking the time to share some useful knowledge.

[cole steffens]

usually if im releasing a fish thats hooked so deeply i just cut he line supposedly the hook rusts/fishes stomach acids are suppost to dissolve the hook but who knows how long tha takes .very intructional and ill have to give this method a try

[skeeter bassin]

Its unusual to gut hook a Largemouth. Smallies on the other hand are very aggressive when they want something. I have gut hooked many Smallies fishing leadheads on the bottom and this technique works very well. It is important to attempt this when using a leadhead. Imagine trying to cut the line and leave a 3/4 oz lead head in the fishes gullet, it will not survive long enough for the hook to remove itself.

[Drewp]

Its unusual to gut hook a Largemouth.

Depending the way you're fishing, it's not that unusual to gut hook a largie. It happens a lot with live worms...

[skeeter bassin]

Ahhhhhhhh ok, Don't know a thing about that. Haven't used live worms for Bass in over 35 years. That would explain why I have never gut hooked a largemouth, but unfortunately many a small mouth which have survived thanks to using this hook removal technique.

[Drewp]

Its unusual to gut hook a Largemouth.

Depending the way you're fishing, it's not that unusual to gut hook a largie. It happens a lot with live worms...

And weightless plastics...

[skimpy]

Great technique. LM Bass don't usaually gut a hook when I catch them, but if they do, that technique will be very useful. Thanks for the info!

[jake campbell]

Thanks for the Technique, it will save many bass this spawning season!

[Edgeran]

Thanks for the schooling "Fishnislife", I had to use that technique yesterday and it probably saved the bass's life.

[fishnislife]

Honestly, I have only had to do this a handfull of times but it has helped me to safely release every bass without leaving the hook in them. How long do you think it takes for the hook to "rust" out?
I would never leave a hook in a bass if I could help it.


fishnislife