Hooked Deep

[Grappling Coach]

What is the best thing to do if a bass swallows a grub and gets hooked deep?

[Stump bumper]

Cut the line off as deep as you can and let the fish free himself, unless you are going to keep some to eat and it is a legal fish that one would be a good choice. But the fish usually has a better chance of getting rid of the hook slowly and not dying then it has if you tear it that deep.

[dtrs5kprs]

I keep a pair of long handled diagonal cutters with a relatively narrow head for that situation. Try to cut the hook off the head, leaving less inside the fish. Can be tricky with brown fish or spots, works fine for blacks.

[motoman]

Not sure why these didn't catch on?, but if you can find them; they're fantastic! I've had a pair for years and love them.

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http://www.dbarb.com/whydbarb.html

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But otherwise, snip off as much as you can.

[dblades]

Not sure why these didn't catch on?, but if you can find them; they're fantastic! I've had a pair for years and love them.

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http://www.dbarb.com/whydbarb.html

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But otherwise, snip off as much as you can.

I carry a pair of those in my boat, the carbide cutter make quick work of any hook.

[Greasy B]

Reach up through the fishes gill with hemostats, grab the line and pull the Line and eye of the hook through the gill there by reversing the position of the hook. Then reach into the mouth and grab the hook by the bend pulling it free. When your barbless this works flawlessly. It takes a little care to not damage the gill but as long as your not a clumsy boob it can be done with all but the smallest fish. I haven't cut a line and left a hook embedded in a fish in years.

[Smalliebigs]

Greasy, You are soo correct and even more if you use barbless this technique works flawlessly. I think Gavin once posted a good diagram of this???

Here is the best info I could find on how to do what Greasy is talking about ,I use it just like Greasy with barbless and it always seems to work really well.

http://www.a-guide-to-florida-bass-fishing.com/gut-hook.html

[Dutch]

Forget the hemos and don't cut the line.

Learn how to do this. Your finger won't damage the gills and once you get it turned around all that is holding is the barb.

http://www.lakesides...b.com/hook.html

[bluebasser86]

I've caught lots of really unhealthy fish with hooks in their throat where someone had caught them and cut the line before. It can basically pin their throats shut if it's in a bad spot. Personally I'd rather take my chances getting it out like Greasey B described. I guess I figure if it was me I'd rather die from bleeding out realativly quickly instead of starving to death. If done properly you won't hurt the fish anymore than what damage the hook did orginally. Some fish you just aren't going to save no matter what you, part of the game.