Looking for opinions on what is the best thing to do with a fish that is gut hooked? I try to avoid it by using circle hooks but, it happens. My thinking is I’m likely to do more damage trying to remove it, than I will if I leave it in and cut the line as close to the hook as I can. I have caught a perfectly healthy trout before that had about 1 ft. of leader hanging out of his gut.
Also what is the best hook remover?
I used a dehooker for the first time sat on a red. Worked beautifully. Not sure what brand it is, I think they are all the same basic design though. Nice to know that the fish will survive an ordeal that used to always have me feeling guilty and wondering.
Captain Steve Little
TowBoat US Charleston
Psalm 107:23-32
www.towboatcharleston.com
When I buy hooks I always buy the thinnest hooks that I think will not bend straight while fighting a fish. This goes from trout to tarpon. So, if the fish is gut hooked, I clip the leader off at the hook if possible and release the fish with as little handling as possible. Many people say the hooks will dissolve in the salt water in a couple days. If you twist and pull on the hook you are likely to damage the fish. Clip the leader and maybe try a bigger (but thin) circle hook. Fish can swallow a fairly big circle hook.
You may have noticed that people will also post from time to time that they caught a fish that has passed fishing line all the way through the fish. Clip the leader and release the fish.