[Video]Removing a Hook From The Gut of a Fluke.

[Hotrod]

www.njswf.com

Some will say that this damages the gills.  But I believe this to be one of the better ways in removing the hook without hurting the fish.

Thanks Bob for this How To.

[IrishAyes]

I've taken many a hook out of a fish this way.  They always scoot away from the boat in a hurry when they are released.  I can't say how they will be in a day or two but every other way of removing the hook that I have seen doesn't seem to work at all.  To me, cutting the leader and leaving the hook is not any better than this either. Inhibits the fishes ability to eat.

[Capt. Mike]

I remove the hook this way as well. I have been taught this way since I was a kind, and reinforced with this method from mates on several diffrent party boats. This method has been around longer then some of us have been alive. There might be good reason why so many people continue to do it this way.

Bob next time hug or kiss the fish before you release, this should make it all better. LOL

Capt. Mike
 

[Pops Soul]

Capt Joe showed me that tip, I think it was 7 years ago and I use it all the time, it takes some patience but can be very effective GREAT TIP

[Luna Sea 5]

 

[gottog]

Best way is still to clip the leader as close as possible to the mouth instead of digging into the fish's gills.  Not many will do this as they don't want to lose their $0.25 hook.

I've caught fluke that had the hook still in them.  They've looked healthy and apparently have no issues feeding as a few aggrressively hit bucktails well.  The hook will rush out from the saltwater and staomach acids rather quickly.

Video was good though.  This method does give a much better chance than just ripping the hook out.

Sometimes there's nothing you can do to save a gut-hooked fish and if it's short or out of season, it has to be returned as crab food.