Gut hooked fish

[Smib]

I got to wondering the other day if it would be a good idea to take a pair of snips and cut as much of the shank of the hook off as I could when a fish is gut hooked with a worm hook.
I've heard the stories that the hook will rust out over a period of time in the fish but I don't know how true it is.
By cutting the shank and removing as much of the eye portion of the hook I assume that may speed up the rusting process BUT cutting the shank would also leave a sharp edge that may cause damage to the bass that the rounded eye would not..... What do you guys think?
Smib

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

Depending on how deep it is, could you pull it back through like you would if it was in your skin?
I don't think it would harm the fish, so I think that's what I'd try

[Smib]

I guess the instance I was alluding to was when the point is burried deep in the throat and not visible and only the shank and eye are visible.

Smib

[Papa Tom]

http://www.in-fisherman.com/ma....html.

Try this, it really is effective and seemingly safe for the fish.

[CShaver8]

As far as rust time goes.....in my one acre pond, I've broke a fish off while using a Gammy EWG, and 8 days later I caught the same fish, with the Gammy EWG. It was beginnign to rust ( not usable) and was lose in its upper lip. I had this happen with a circle hook but it was only over a span of 4 days.

So it does take some time for a hook to rust out, but the fish still actively feeds.

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Smib &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess the instance I was alluding to was when the point is burried deep in the throat</TD></TR></TABLE>

You originally said "gut"

[Doug Vahrenberg]

The best way it to just cut the line if you are using teminal tackle. The less you can mess with the hook the better - to prevent bleeding. For crankbaits and items I do not want to lose keep a good set of side cutters - smaller the better and come in from under the gill plate and cut hook - less likely to cause any damage to fish.

[Orv]

I bought all kinds of pliers and such to remove hooks but finally came up with a method that works extremely well for me! Last four years I've only lost one or two fish.
Take a high quality needlenose, not too sharp, and round the nose into a smooth
radius with a file or belt sander. Hold the fish by lip with left hand and get a good solid grip on as much of shank as possible. Turn loose of fish at same time giving a solid short jerk into fish. 99 per cent of time hook will slide out of same hole it made coming in and fish will go free. In many cases it comes out of the fishes gut and maybe catchs on the lip which can be easily removed.
This works best if you hold fish over side of boat and, like removing a hook from your hand with mono, make your first attempt work. Do it like you mean it!
Of course the fish is free to swim off but I release anyhow. This is very similiar to removing a hook from your hand with mono. You back the hook out the same hole it made. One very quick jerk and its all over!!!
Works really well believe me!!!

[BASSED]

Like Papa Tom and the In-Fisherman article. I cut the line 2' above the hook. Run the line thru the fish's mouth and thru the gill plate closest to the fish's side. (This can be a little tedious). Then pull on the line to turn the hook upside down. Now you can grab the bottom of the hook with your needle nose and the barb pops out easily. I have used this method a number of times.

[Neilslure]

I will give up a hook before killing a fish trying to get it out. Sometimes you can cut off the barb and work the hook back out. Other times just leave the whole thing and cut the line. Today I actually caught a 12 inch LM. It had about a ft of line hanging out (happened before I caught him), it went through his lip and down the throat. There was no visible hook and the line didnt move with a gentle pull. I did him a favor and removed most of the line. Didnt seem to be affecting his appetite .