Fishn' Magician wrote:
Hi guys,
Just wanted to get some feedback on what is the best practice when it comes to a deeply hooked fish. For example, if a hook is buried deep in a bass' gut and there's no way to remove it, is cutting the line as close to the hook as possible the only option? I've read that many believe the fish will pass the hook or it will come out over time.
Thanks,
Mike
This is most likely the same with Bass as it is with Muskies.
Muskies Inc. in the states did a study on gut hooked muskies and radio tagged the fish and monitored their activities and movements. The study involved a single sucker hook that was swallowed by the fish. This study proves that a single sucker hook rig is very dangerous on the fish if swallowed. Common techniques now are with Quick strike rigs and or circle hooks.
I cant remember the exact study, It was like this:
They ended radio tagging 7 muskies that accidentally swallowed the hook. The fish swam away after the release and were actively still trying to feed a day later. a few fish died within the next few days with stomach injures. Some fish were caught again by anglers noting that the fish were getting skinner (trying to feed but not able to digest) Some fish died weeks later and the last fish lived only 6 months before it died from the hook.
They proved that hooks do not rut fast enough in fresh water. The quality of the hooks that are manufactured today are definitely stronger and eventually will puncture the stomach of the fish that swallows the hook causing infection and eventually death.
Sorry for the detailed story. There are a lot of anglers that believe that by cutting the line saves the fish......most likely caused the fish a slow death.
I would try any technique you can to get the hook out.
Stacy
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