How to remove a gut hook.

I found this link and wanted to hear/read your thoughts on the technique? I have never seen anyone do this before.

Gut hook removal.

This is the most effective way to remove a gut hook, but I don’t see a reason to cut the line or use such a heavy pliers.

When you enter the gill area with a pliers, it better be as small as possible and you need to be gentle. This technique would save a lot of fish if performed correctly.

I asked a MN DNR why they don’t try to teach this technique. He said it’s the best technique out there, but it’s just too hard for the weekend angler to perform.

That’s interesting to me. I would think that if someone cared enough to try and learn the technique they would be able to, regardless of the amount of time spent on the water. I wonder what the thought process is on this? I think if I was careful and still ended up killing a couple fish during the learning process, it would be worth my time as I could be helping every other gut hooked fish for the remainder of my days. Seems like a no brainer.

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I asked a MN DNR why they don’t try to teach this technique. He said it’s the best technique out there, but it’s just too hard for the weekend angler to perform.

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I’ve often wondered why they don’t have this in the DNR reg books as well. I learned that technique nearly a decade ago. I know it was that long ago b/c I got very good at it during the “suicide walleye bite of 2002” on Mille Lacs. I’m pretty sure I saw it in an In-fisherman.

Small, straight,or curved forceps, up through the gills. Simply twist the hook out the same way you would if it were caught in you. I remember not being able to get 1 walleye unhooked in all the years I’ve done this.

That technique, along with #8 and #10 hooks has all but eliminated hook mortality in my boat. Even if you can’t see the hook initially, just a little bit of tension (helps if you have a second hand), and they pop out every time.

I’ve taught many fisherman in my boat this technique, and almost all of them ask why this isn’t common knowledge. I’m not sure either…….It’s a very valuable skill, IMO.

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That’s interesting to me. I would think that if someone cared enough to try and learn the technique they would be able to, regardless of the amount of time spent on the water. I wonder what the thought process is on this? I think if I was careful and still ended up killing a couple fish during the learning process, it would be worth my time as I could be helping every other gut hooked fish for the remainder of my days. Seems like a no brainer.

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I’m sure he was referring to the same weekend warrior that can’t launch/land a boat. If they can’t handle that, I’m sure they can’t handle a finesse technique likes forceps near the gills.

I think I will try this over the week/weekend as I am sure I will have a couple hooked deep. In my experience with a fish that is gut hooked, if the hook is really deep I do cut the line right at the hook. If I can get the pliers on the shank I go in the mouth get a firm grip in the shank and in one quick motion go in and as I pull out go to either side that the hook went in. Straight small fish pliers work best for me over the curved ones. But key to getting any hook out is a good pair of pliers that doesnt slip off the hook prolonging the process.

Even if most anglers could do this technique or any other way properly, it wont make a difference as I see a lot of people sit and play with the fish and 3 people take turns getting a picture

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I think I will try this over the week/weekend as I am sure I will have a couple hooked deep. In my experience with a fish that is gut hooked, if the hook is really deep I do cut the line right at the hook. If I can get the pliers on the shank I go in the mouth get a firm grip in the shank and in one quick motion go in and as I pull out go to either side that the hook went in. Straight small fish pliers work best for me over the curved ones. But key to getting any hook out is a good pair of pliers that doesnt slip off the hook prolonging the process.

Even if most anglers could do this technique or any other way properly, it wont make a difference as I see a lot of people sit and play with the fish and 3 people take turns getting a picture

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While it’s good that we all try the likelihood that the hook perforated not only the gut but some vital organ is high. I agree with the technique, but a gut hooked fish has a much higher likelihood of mortality.

I agree Corey. Short fights and little to no time out of the water is probably the most important.

to take a step further… if your gonna CPR anyways… for this technique to work even better, lose the barb

I believe a fish has a far better chance by cutting the line when its that deep, cause making it bleed all over and extra time out of the water isn’t upping its chances.

I had a few keepers last weekend that were gut hooked and even in this high heat at the end of the day they were in perfect condition in well. Some with cut line and some removed.

If a person is really that worried about it they could switch to circle hooks.
Circle Hook vs. J Hook

Are there fisherman out there who really don’t worry about a gut hooked fish, that has to be returned, whether it survives or not ??? Takes all kinds I guess…

I believe this video was aimed at Bass…but it also works well for Walleye and other species.
I have switched my Summer guiding over to 90% Bass fishing and this topic has been a big issue for me. I have known of this technique for some years and also have been flattening the barbs on all my singular (worm style) hooks.
With novice fishermen, one may get as high as 20-25% of the Bass with 4″ tubes or 5″ Senkos swallowed…they don’t keep a taut line and/or the bass takes the bait on the drop.
With this method and barbless hooks I can remove the hook with little or no bleeding. I use a long straight forceps.

Big G makes a couple good points. Lose the barb if one is hyper concerned about gut hooking. The point is that there are those who simply couldn’t care less…and there are a bunch of those types.

Wade points out yet another viable option.

As much as I can I stay away from bait and is one reason why my summer walleye trip are so few.

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This is the most effective way to remove a gut hook, but I don’t see a reason to cut the line or use such a heavy pliers.

When you enter the gill area with a pliers, it better be as small as possible and you need to be gentle. This technique would save a lot of fish if performed correctly.

I asked a MN DNR why they don’t try to teach this technique. He said it’s the best technique out there, but it’s just too hard for the weekend angler to perform.

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I agree, and this is exactly how I do it when I get a rare gullet hook. I like the Rapala pliers for this…which reminds me, I need a new one! I threw mine over the side when I released it with a sheepie earlier this year.

A true “Gut Hook” I will cut the line as far down as I can and hope for the best. Like mentioned, if you start tugging, you will damage organs and the outcome will be obvious.

I am not going barbless and no amount of convincing will make me change my mind.

The way I look at it is that when you are CPR fishing, you run the risk of killing a fish. I decide my hook removal strategy for each deep hooked fish individually. In the summer I know length of time out of the water is a huge killer, so in those circumstances I am likely to clip the line.

If I kill a fish, I accept it and move on. If it is big enough I keep it, otherwise I sing the Circle of Life and it almost always attracts a seagull or other fish eater in to finish the job.

OK we will consider the gauntlet thrown down by you…. I am not sure who is trying to “convince” anyone of anything in this thread ??? I think it is about trying to release a gut hooked fish, with the best chance of it actually surviving. Lot’s of good info… until recently

No gauntlet intended. I was being pre-preemptive because I was expecting people to come back with reasons to use a barbless hook.

I was basically saying that in my thread that I analyze each circumstance individually and determine the best course of action to get the fish back in the water and give it a chance to survive, if possible.