I found this topic after having similar issues as the original poster. I began fishing the ned rig for the very first time over the past 2 weeks. I've found it very successful in catching bass, albeit a higher % of small fish but also have experienced a my first ever gut hooked fish. I will fully acknowledge that I need to watch my line more closely, have & learn to use better removal tools & techniques and plan to start crushing the barbs on my hooks when using the Ned Rig. But in every video I can find about removing the hook safely from a gut hooked bass, it addresses removal of a standard hook - not a jighead - wherein the hook is removed by passing the eyelet, not the barb, through the flesh to remove. But I can't find any advice about what do to in cases of a gut hooked jig head wherein the above is not possible. Any video links for advice on those cases as to what to do to best remove the lure without permanent damage to the fish?