First catch last weekend I shallow gut hooked a smallmouth and had the chance to try removing the hook with the through the gills method. Fish was out of the water longer than I would like, but twice held her in the water to let her recover before proceeding with hook removal. Cut the hook in half with wire cutters and removed the remaining hook, 100%, using foreceps through the gill. It worked and 100% of the hook was removed and the fish swam off. During the process my smartphone took a dunk and died. That sucked. But the fish lived. Thanks, forum.

I killed a bass today on Jig, all it take was only 5 seconds that I did not set hook fast enough. It was not gutted hook but the hook penetrated inside next to throat and the fish was bleeding, I didn't see this until I took the fish home.

 

To remind everyone out there set hook fast it didn't take long for bass to swallow your lure.

Setting the hook cost nothing, if in doubt set the hook. And set it hard!

4 hours ago, JustJames said:

I killed a bass today on Jig, all it take was only 5 seconds that I did not set hook fast enough. It was not gutted hook but the hook penetrated inside next to throat and the fish was bleeding, I didn't see this until I took the fish home.

 

To remind everyone out there set hook fast it didn't take long for bass to swallow your lure.

Always a tough loss. Good reminder, thank you.

I go ahead and smash the barb down when I'm using plastic worms.

 

I know the bream drive you crazy with plastics and you tend to wait too long to make sure it's a bass, but go ahead and set the hook and don't wait. Swing and a miss! ain't so bad.........

My 2c

 

Edit: Don't forget to check and get the plastic out, it doesn't decompose.

Drop or split shot or nose or wacky rigged soft plastics with a light wire circle hook* eliminates gutt hooking.

Tom

* Owner Mosquito Circle hook

On 5/20/2018 at 9:33 PM, greentrout said:

 

Won't eliminate entirely but will significantly...will need to sharpen some of them...most hook ups near the corner of the bass' mouth... good fishing...

What is it that is special about these that would make them less likely to gut hook, than say, a circle hook? I understand the cons to circle hooks and I'm leaning towards trying to figure out new ways I can rig circle hooks...preferably some way I can make it weedless, if possible...but back to the question. What is different about these hooks that make them less likely to gut hook?

The only way to prevent it is to never have slack in your line and set the hook as soon as you feel anything.  Of course you will miss lots of fish and won't be able to use any presentation where you have to let it sink after the cast (like a dropshot).

 

It's part of fishing.. you're going to kill some fish.