Excitement And Then Disappointment

[GloryDaze]

Just got back from a great weekend on the lower Little Niangua. Unlike the upper section, I found the lower half to hold bigger fish and have many more "fishable" holes. On Saturday, I think I may have happened to pick the right lure at the right time as I riggerd up a 6" senko wacky rigged watermelon colored. I seemed to be catching decent sized fish all morning, ranging from 13-15". Only problem was, it seemed these fish had a habit of what I call "phantom biting" meaning it felt like I was getting strikes and then missing them non-stop. On several occasions, I would set the hook and get them half way to the boat only to lose the fish and the worm, but manage to keep the hook.

Of course the one time I decide I'm waiting a little bit longer to set the hook and then "really" setting the hook, I could tell I was on to something big. You know that feeling, the one where you set the hook and you swear you are hung up? Then about 5 seconds later you can feel the tug of something big and your 15' canoe starts to spin around?? Well, that's the one I got-- well shortly after that the fish surfaced and didn't jump, but did that roll, kind of like a big whale does. Only problem was, when that fish rolled, I could see a trail of blood down it's side and on it's tail.

When I finally landed it, she measured in at an butt-hair from 19" and even managed to break my rod at the last 2 eyelets. After I lipped her, I realized I had really gut-hooked her. As I held her I had this hopeless feeling, because I was so excited I landed a fish that big, but so upset that I hooked her so deep. Long story short, I had to cut the line and regretfully send her on her way. All I could think about was I just killed a fish that had survived on it's own for darn near 9 years.

What sucks is I have been fishing a senko worm for years and have NEVER gut hooked a fish- 90% of the time they get hooked on the upper lip and it's and easy release.

I realize there are only so many things you can do to prevent harming a fish in that way, but other than setting the hook a few seconds earlier, can you guys think of anything I could have done to inrcease the chances of it surviving?

[Guest]

deleted

[Gavin]

Thanks for the report.....Here's a good way to remove the hook from a bass that swallowed your plastic.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12981-how-do-i-remove-a-hook-a-bass-has-swallowed/page__st__15

It works pretty well. Cheers.

[RSBreth]

I've been experimenting with circle hooks for my son - he's been nailing Sunfish and the occasional Bass with Power Bait and Gulp! under a float. Works really well. I haven't tried them for use with soft plastics - but I will. I haven't hooked a fish deeply with soft stick - but I have with tubes.

[ozark trout fisher]

When I finally landed it, she measured in at an butt-hair from 19" and even managed to break my rod at the last 2 eyelets. After I lipped her, I realized I had really gut-hooked her. As I held her I had this hopeless feeling, because I was so excited I landed a fish that big, but so upset that I hooked her so deep. Long story short, I had to cut the line and regretfully send her on her way. All I could think about was I just killed a fish that had survived on it's own for darn near 9 years.

I hate that feeling too. But don't beat yourself up too much over it. Any honest fisherman will admit that this kind of thing just happens occasionally, no matter what you do to prevent it.

[TroutRinger]

I hate that feeling too. But don't beat yourself up too much over it. Any honest fisherman will admit that this kind of thing just happens occasionally, no matter what you do to prevent it.

Ya, I can imagine it's a pretty crappy feeling especially when you think about how long that fish has been there, but it's not like it was intentional or a habitual problem. Stuff happens.

[Justin Spencer]

No worries man, she lived a good long life, made lots of babies with good genetics, you should however have considered putting her on the wall, or in your belly.

[TroutRinger]

No worries man, she lived a good long life, made lots of babies with good genetics, you should however have considered putting her on the wall, or in your belly.

I was thinking that as well but didn't want him to feel any worse. jeeze Justin

[Tim Smith]

No worries man, she lived a good long life, made lots of babies with good genetics, you should however have considered putting her on the wall, or in your belly.

...considered keeping it yes, but just because a fish is gut hooked that's not a death sentance.

Unless the thing was clearly sinking straight to the bottom, gut hooked fish can survive. The science suggests cut the line and let them heal and throw the hook later. The odds aren't great, but they have a chance. I've tubed several fish that had old rusted hooks in their gullet and they were reasonably healthy. It all depends.

By cutting the line rather than worsening the wound by digging around blindly and opening it further, you gave that fish its best chance to live.

[Mitch f]

No need to get depressed! She will probably make it. When you witness first hand the abuse from poachers, it will put things into perspective for you. Your mishap is small in comparison.