Hook Removal For Trout?

[Fredrick]

I trout fish with lures alot but sometimes I like to use power bait eggs. I am having an issue with removing the hook usually its located 1-3 cm from the gullet. I am using #8 plain shank hooks and lately I have been smashing the barbs completely . Now if you rip on it 2 hard then it bleeds and the fish dies and I don't want that. Some people say just clip the line and throw it back it will be fine and the hook will rust out I use the bronze hooks. Some say it will kill the fish . I don't know what to believe after googling it one study says leave the hook in the other says take it out what do you guys think?

[Zach Bearden]

If you debarb your hooks as previously stated you should be able to hold the fish and remove the hook with a pair of hemostats.

[Al Agnew]

I agree, if you debarb the hook and you can actually still see it, you should be able to get it out with the hemostats. Just get a grip on it and push downwards to back the point out, then carefully remove it. As long as you can see the hook, I would never cut the line and leave it in there. The fish may survive with a hook in its gullet, but how would you like it if you were trying to live and eat with a hook in your gullet? It may also survive even if it's bleeding, as long as you get it back in the water as soon as possible.

[Guest]

There are some special designed hook removers that do a really good job of removing hooks from gullet hooked fish, you might want to check them out. Have you tried circle hooks or octupus style hooks?

[luv2fish]

You might give fly fishing a try.. It's a lot of fun and the fish are usually very lightly hooked.