Fish unhooking question

[Apex400]

Fishing this weekend and I caught two separate smallies whose mouths were jambed up with other peoples soft plastics. First one had a huge tube and a ned .I removed the tube no problem, ned was pretty deep, but I got it out. Unfortunately I think I did more damage than good, so not feeling good about that poor guy. Second one had a huge salamander and a creature bait. Creature came out easy, big salamander was deep, so I removed all the soft plastic part of the salamander and left the hook figuring it'd be best to just get everything out that I could without getting to aggressive. He swam away and im hoping for the best for that one. Question is what is the correct thing to do to give these fish the best chance at survival, I love fishing and im about 90% catch and release so wanna do the right thing to let em go let em grow. Thanks guys

[jimsch]

That's what I have done also. If I feel it will cause more damage to remove than good, the hook stays.

[Apex400]

Thanks, yeah after removing everything on the first and not feeling like it was the right thing to do, I left that hook in the second even though it was a ewg, and probably will make it difficult for em.��

[Riccochet]

They probably ate baits that people got hung up and cut/broke off. I've broken a jig off in a brush pile just to come back an hour later and catch a fish with my jig in its mouth.

[Real L]

Get yourself a pair of hook cutters and cut away everything but the barb and a small part of the shank when possible.

[mactlman]

get a good hook cutter and cut off hook helps-- if two of you are in boat, have one hold fish and other get hook out through gills also works but must be very careful on gills

[wmitch2]

Hi, if I can't get the hook out by going thru the Gills and turning it, then I remove all the plastic and cut the hook anywhere below the eye, now grab the point end of the hook with needle nose pliers and remove it.

[Commanche20]

One of the guys at Eufaula caught one with an Alabama rig stuck in his face, bet he was glad to get rid of that

[Bstandiford]

I use the hook out tool! I can safely remove most deep hooks from bass. If it seems to dicey I remove all plastic and cut what ever I can of the hook.

[Bellevue Bobber]

Had a bass with a crappie jig stuck in its rear. I could just see the eye of the jig. If'n you ever get into this scenario, make sure the fishes rear is point away from you and over the side of the boat. That sucker let loose with a river of stank as his thank you.

[Jeff Hahn]

I've tried a number of hook removing devices over the years and have found that a pair of forceps works the best. Go up under the gills, grab the hook, and turn it upside down so that you can pull the hook straight out. I've seen very few deep hooks that could not be successfully removed doing this.

[Apex400]

I do use a pair of forceps also and they definitely work great. Also ordered some good diagonal hook cutting pliers . Thanks guys!