How to Remove an Ingested Fish Hook
Some fishing localities feature laws stating minimum size regulations and spots that only allow catch-and-release fishing. Catch-and-release rules are pointless, however, if the fish cannot be saved. A responsible angler knows how to successfully remove the hook so the released fish has a good chance of survival. Certain hooks are less lethal, but there are always risks. A swallowed or ingested hook poses the greatest challenge, but by using the proper procedures the fish can be saved.
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Things You'll Need
- Needle-nose pliers
- Surgical hemostat
- Hook-removal tool available at any tackle shop
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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Use circle, wide-gap or barbless hooks to make removal easier. Use single hooks rather than treble hooks for easier removal.
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Keep the hook in the water while removing it if at all possible. Studies show that even short exposure to air is harmful to fish and leads to a long recovery time and a lower chance of survival.
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Wet your hands or use a wet rag to hold the fish if you must remove it from the water. This protects the mucus layer on the outside of the fish.
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Support larger fish under the belly when holding, and do not hold any fish by the mouth or gills.
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Apply pressure to the hook to back it out in the opposite direction from the way it was ingested.
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Use a de-hooking device designed to remove ingested hooks. These devices make hook removal easier on the angler and the fish.
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Carry wire cutters to cut the barbed or protruding portion of a hook, allowing the shank to slide out.
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Leave approximately 18 inches of line on any hook left in the fish. With 18 inches of line, the hook shank remains tight against the side of the throat of the fish, allowing food to pass.
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