This past weekend I caught a 4+ lb bass that was very healthy, but he swallowed the hook and I could not get it out. It was absolutely the worst feeling in the world. I have read on here that some people cut the hook to get it out, and I was wondering what you guys recommend to use to cut the hook? I was thinking some type of side cutter or wire cutters, but am not sure.

I literally just responded to your post on the latest catch thread.

 

http://www.bassresou...wallowed/page-2

 

Get a thin pair of forceps or needlenose pliers and leaving hooks in a fish will be a thing of the past if you follow the diagram in the above post. It's often better for them to die the relatively fast death from blood loss than to slowly starve if the hook has their throat pinned shut anyways. 

The technique mentioned above works like a charm.  I actually forgot my needle nose pliers this past weekend and had to do this all with y hands but luckily the fish were large enough that I could reach in the mouth.  What is funny is that i rarely have had to use it in the past but for some reason they were engulfing the baits on saturday and i had to do it at least 4 times.

I literally just responded to your post on the latest catch thread.

 

http://www.bassresou...wallowed/page-2

 

Get a thin pair of forceps or needlenose pliers and leaving hooks in a fish will be a thing of the past if you follow the diagram in the above post. It's often better for them to die the relatively fast death from blood loss than to slowly starve if the hook has their throat pinned shut anyways. 

Seriously, and I say it every time, this was the coolest thing I have ever learned from this site and it has yet to fail. 

I literally just responded to your post on the latest catch thread.

 

http://www.bassresou...wallowed/page-2

 

Get a thin pair of forceps or needlenose pliers and leaving hooks in a fish will be a thing of the past if you follow the diagram in the above post. It's often better for them to die the relatively fast death from blood loss than to slowly starve if the hook has their throat pinned shut anyways. 

 

Thanks for sharing that one!

Compound side cutting pliers, Cresent PS20509C 9" are good.

Sometimes hooks get into things that require cutting the hook to remove it.

Tom

I like electrician's side cutters.  Not sure what they are actually called but klein makes the best. 

If you cannot quickly pop the hook out like in the posted guide, I carry a large sidecutter or small bolt cutter. It will cut even the thick hooks with ease and the hook then comes out easily in 2 pieces. It can be done very quickly and leaves minimal damage to the fish.

I like electrician's side cutters. Not sure what they are actually called but klein makes the best.

Ya a good pair of side cutters will do it. I like a pair of linemans for heavy cutting as they just have more power. You can get a decent pair of cutters at a reasonable price but a pair of good linemans are not cheap. They can easily run $40-50 or more.