At the recommendation by an older gentleman who runs a bait shop where I bought my minnows from, I used small hooks. Granted, the hooks I have been using were too large for my needs. Unfortunately, the bass I caught today almost swallowed the hook, and I couldn’t get it out with my Skeletool. It wasn’t gut hooked, but the hook was past the throat sphincter, and only the hook loop was visible.
Upon realizing that I can’t get the hook out with my Skeletool, I put the fish in the bait bucket. Good thing I bought that air pump when I saw it in the store. I had to call it quits and go to work in less than an hour after that point, so I just went back to fishing instead of fiddling around and adding more stress to the bass
Took the bass home, transferred it to my cooler with the air pump, then went to work. I come 5.5 hours later, and the bass is still strong. No problem staying upright, and was reacting to my presents. Got some needle nose and tried again to remove the hook. Still couldn’t get it. My dad then came out and got the extra long needle nose, and with me holding the fish, he very roughly pulled the hook out, and not very gently at all.
Unfortunately, removing the hook the way my dad did it was the final straw. It’s health and movement took it steep decline. It couldn’t stay upright (last picture), and it was kind of spazzing out in the cooler. Within about 10-15 minutes of removing the hook, it took one last gulp, and completely went still.
I’m still very new to fishing instead general, and it’s been a steep learning curve. And since this is my first ever bass, I’m actually really bummed out it died despite everything I tried to save it. I kind of wish I just threw it back in when I caught it. But with the hook that deep in its throat, I don’t think it would have lived very long in the pond. On the bright side, I’m making a fish sandwich tomorrow.
Posted by Little-Cucumber-8907
5 Comments
Time to have fish fillets for dinner
You mentioned that the hook was past the throat sphincter, that is a gut hook bud. I’d say there’s about a 95% chance of killing the fish trying to remove a gut hook. So don’t feel too bad.
Next time if you have to release it you are better off clipping the line as close to the hook as you can. Obviously not great for the fish but it is possible for them to live with a hook in their gut. Still might die from it but it is better than ripping it out.
The absolute best thing you can do for a gut hooked fish is to kill it on purpose quickly and have it for dinner.
Edit: if you want to prevent gut hooking switch to big circle hooks. Gut hooks are still possible but way less common.
Gut hooks sometimes just happen. But you’re doing the only actionable thing you can do when this happens by eating it. So I wouldn’t get down on a gut hook
That happens some times. It’s a bummer, but it is what it is. I had a dandy rainbow trout once that I caught on a spoon with a treble hook, one hook was in the top lip and another was in the bottom. I had the fish in the net but didn’t open the bale on my reel (that was the mistake). My rod was under my arm and the line was tight and I was monkeying around trying to untangle my forceps to take the hook out when the fish flopped and broke the line and got out of my net. Took me a second to figure out what happened, then I looked down and saw the fish in the little eddy right behind my legs with that damn spoon hanging out of its mouth. As soon as I moved to try and scoop him back up with the net he bolted and was gone. I 100,000% killed that fish, he never ate again because he couldn’t open his mouth with a treble in both lips.
I’ve used these and access through the gills.. go slow and try to be gentle as possible. Works better if the hook is barbless in the first place. Other than that, like others have stated it happens and don’t feel too bad about it
https://preview.redd.it/3rpmvd4r7bsg1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22a72b3b57fdfee4deffc3e82e9f9c902d78c61b