Removing hook

[blynch]

I try my best to get the hook out via pshing it forward.  I often end up cutting the line.  Pliers are my tool of choice.

[Hotrod]

Anyone here try/use the arc dehooker? 

  Capt Jay. from our trip in the keys.  never put it down

[Capt. Mike]

I do use the arc dehooker. I do not recommend with fluke, especially gut hooked. Better to use the method that Capt Joe has explained, the very same one in the video, with Bob Cole.
I have never seen a fish die after using this method, I have with guys trying to use the dehooker though. Even the more experienced mates on party boats are getting away from the dehooker for gut hooked fluke.

[eagleyankfan]

ped579 - do you use cirlces for fluke too?

I've NEVER gut hooked a fluke!!!!!  I simply don't catch big enough fluke to swallow a hook 

[IrishAyes]

I have tried circle hooks on fluke.   For some reason, they didn't work for me at all for the fluke.  I had more misses that usual and lost a lot of fish that I had started off the bottom.  It seemed to me the structure of the fluke's mouth was not cohesive to the circle hook. 
I heard others say they have had luck with the circles, but you can't prove that by me.  And no, I wasn't trying to set the hook either.

[ped579]

Have you tried the in line version.  I have used both off the surf and have caught fluke on both but is seems I catch more off the inline then the offset.

[Capt. Mike]

I do not use circle hooks for fluke. Same as Capt. Joe as mentioned, I found them to not be productive for me, inline or off-set.

[Bucktail]

I was talking with Greg Nisito of Shakespeare Fishing Tackle a few weeks ago.  He is now a rep for the ARC dehooker.  He said they are now mandatory equipment on some commercial boats, such as longliners.  He also said that eventually they will be made mandatory on all fishing vessels (including recreational) due to the fact that they greatly reduce the mortality rate of released gut-hooked fish.

He explained that this will be a good thing for the entire fishing community.  This is because of the way the NMFS surveys work.  When a captain fills out his mandatory catch report, the NMFS takes a portion of the released fish and adds that to the total quota.  This is due to them figuring a certain portion of these released fish will die anyway.  (I'm sorry, I don't remember the exact percentage he told me, but I will look into it).

However, since the ARC dehooker is proven to reduce the mortality rate of released fish, the actual percentage of fish that would go towards the yearly quota would be reduced significantly! 

For example, (and I am making up these numbers for this example) in the current system if a captain reports that he caught 10 fish (all released) the NMFS would add 5 of those fish to the quota.  If the captain has an ARC dehooker they may add only 2 of these fish to the quota.

It is a very interesting topic and I am going to look into more of the actual numbers,  But if this is true, this would  seem to be a great thing for the fishing community as a whole!  What do you think?

By the way, if I have some of my information wrong, please feel free to jump in and correct it.

-Bob

[Capt. Mike]

I do find the dehooker to be effective for most gut hooked fish just not fluke. That is my take only, along with some of my fishing buddies, and feed back from mates and Charter Captains.

[IrishAyes]

I think if they made a particular hook release tool mandatory I would take a long hard look who that owner of the hook release company knew.  Someone's hands would be in someone's pockets on this one.

Another thing to consider.  They may make it mandatory to have a de-hooker on board, but will they be put to use?  PFD's are mandatory equipment, how many of them are used?

[Capt. Mike]

Great point Capt. Joe.

[Bucktail]

I think if they made a particular hook release tool mandatory I would take a long hard look who that owner of the hook release company knew.  Someone's hands would be in someone's pockets on this one.

I agree with you on that Joe.  One point. According to Greg, these are already mandatory on some commercial vessels.  I'm not sure if it has to be that exact brand or just the same type of tool. 

Another thing to consider.  They may make it mandatory to have a de-hooker on board, but will they be put to use?  PFD's are mandatory equipment, how many of them are used?

This is a great point as well.  I'm pretty sure he said that the captains have to become "certified" in its use.  Of course that wouldn't guarantee it being used.  But I think that those who have a lot riding on the the scarcity or abundance of whatever fish they are pursuing (such as a charter captain), might want to use a tool such as this to promote their healthy release.  One proof of that is this thread itself.  One guy asked what's the best way to ensure the survival of a gut-hooked fish and look at all the great responses he got!

Just like so many things, it may just boil down to education and getting the word out there.

The words "catch and release" were very seldom heard before people like Al Lindner and Ray Scott started to promote the idea in freshwater over 30 years ago.  Now it's almost more common to see someone using "catch and release" than "catch and kill".  For freshwater largemouth bass anglers it certainly is more common.

In any case, I'm not promoting this tool or even advocating its use.  Heck!  I don't even know if it works!   I'm just merely throwing it out there and seeing what others think about it.

Thanks for your insight Joe.  Let's kick this around a little more.

-Bob

[PeggyLee]

If its a gut hooked fish that must be put back into the water AND  I feel resonably sure I can clip the hook via inside the gill I do it and remove the leader and cut hook out the mouth.(I have 8 inch Klien angle cutters,that work great when its the right time).
The remaining portion of the hook will rust out with the enzymes of the fish and salt water.(I do not use stainless hooks).
Second and quicker method is just cut the leader like the guys have said.The fish with a hook has a better chance back into the water than me as a failed surgeon trying to help it.
Back in the water they go!!!