I caught a fish on a rattle trap. It was sideways in his mouth, in a up right position, with both trebles in his mouth. The lure basically took up his whole mouth like a new set of teeth and he couldn't close his mouth either.

 

I couldn't lip him without getting stuck when he shakes and was trying to find a way to pick him up out of the water to remove the lure, he shook and snapped the line and took off.

 

That fish is going to die with that lure in his mouth like that. I'm trying to think what I could have done differently other than use a net. It was maybe a  2-3 lbs bass and 1/4 oz. Rattle trap. 

That fish will be fine and already has that lure out of its mouth. 
 

You could get a pair of fish grips to use with lures that have gentle hooks in the future. I bought a pair just for that reason after getting shook buried in my finger after trying to land a treble hooked fish. 

Fish grippers are the way to go. Protects you from the hook and IMO much more secure than fingers. 

I'm assuming you were fishing from shore and that's why you didn't have a net? Were you not able to swing the fish in with your rod?

10 minutes ago, The Maestro said:

I'm assuming you were fishing from shore and that's why you didn't have a net? Were you not able to swing the fish in with your rod?

 

Yeah from shore, it's a man made lake, so the bank is similar to a pool or what not, a flat wall, with a "curb" I would have to flip the fish over. He was too heavy. I was fishing a Light action rod and 8# test.

 

Fish grippers seem the way to go 

 

29 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

That fish will be fine and already has that lure out of its mouth. 
 

You could get a pair of fish grips to use with lures that have gentle hooks in the future. I bought a pair just for that reason after getting shook buried in my finger after trying to lol a treble hooked fish. 

 

What makes you think the fish got the lure out? It was vertically sideways in his mouth, with all the trebles of both hooks in. I would have a hard time unhooking him with pliers. I'd like to hope he could get it out but I don't see how it would be possible 

Here's the ticket:

 

 

I use a net, a boga grip, (any decent fish gripper will work) and a pair of forceps/long nose pliers. 

Simple & Safe

A-Jay

 

Short-handled net, Rapala grips and either small needle nose pliers or for the deep-hooked fish, a pair of dual-pivot pliers.

I do the old "belly land" in those cases, then use forceps or pliers to remove, or a Boga type grip if you have that.

 

I'm not on the Elite series, so I use a net with treble hook lures.

I got a trip to the ER with just that scenario.  One of the trebles wound up buried to the hilt in my thumb.  I NEVER fish without needle nose pliers now.

I use the EGO grip tool. I remove the lanyard & just hang it from my belt loop while walking the bank.

I usually grab one of the hooks with the needle nose and shake the fish loose. What line?

4 hours ago, Glenn said:

Here's the ticket:

 

 

 

Thank you sir

Thanks for the replies guys. I forgot to mention that I do have a net but I never use it because it's one more thing to Lug around while I am bank fishing. I also always carry pliers and I also have some very long thin needle nose pliers I always carry for all the micro fishing that I do. The main problem was finding a way to hold the fish to get him out of the water to remove the hooks. I was unaware and have never done a belly grab before. In retrospect I probably could have just grabbed the lure with the pliers while the fish was still in the water. I think the fish grippers will be the best bet for me in the future. Easy to carry around and should solve the problem if it happens again.

Concrete lined pond edges are usually a foot or more above the water line making impossible to slide the bass up on the bank. Lifting dead weight of a shaking live bass stresses your knot the concrete abraiding the line so it broke.

You need to keep the bass in the water and carry a short handle trout net with a elastic lanyard like stream fisherman use, unless you can get in the water. 

I visualize you falling in hard first trying to grab a bass.

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Concrete lined pond edges are usually a foot or more above the water line making impossible to slide the bass up on the bank. Lifting dead weight of a shaking live bass stresses your knot the concrete amazing the line so it broke.

You need to keep the bass in the water and carry a short handle trout net with a elastic lanyard like stream fisherman use, unless you can get in the water. 

I visualize you falling in hard first trying to grab a bass.

Tom

 

 

Yeah this thread, plus that video have pointed out some flaws in what I have been doing which was grabbing  the line, lipping them and removing with pliers. 

 

Thanks for your advice Tom, its a pleasure to have your knowledge and experience in this online community. Your the one who got me started on finesse fishing. 

 

Side note. Caught 6 that day, the most ever there. Applying what I have learned here. 

I use a net when on the bank and plastic lip grippers when in the kayak. Way easier and safer for everyone. 

In that situation, a belly grab is best.  I've also grabbed them on the back side, but you have to be careful of their dorsal fin.  You kind of have to slide down from their head to push the fin down, and grab them firmly so they don't slide down, or they'll stick you with their spines.  It works better with smaller fish.  A belly grab is always recommended if you can't lip them, but I've found myself in situations where that wasn't possible and I was safely able to land the fish by the back.

 

Grab them firmly and don't be frightened.  You're more likely to hurt yourself and the fish if you don't act deliberately and with confidence.  Don't break their bones, but don't let them slide around in your hand.  

 

 

 

 

Yep I second the back/shoulder grab, if the fish is small enough. Three pounds is about my maximum. Maybe less.

 

I've landed heavy fish up a steep bank or a dock by using the momentum of the fish as it swims toward the surface too. Timing is everything on that.

A fish grip is one of the best fishing investments that I ever made. Not only do they save me from potential injury, but they also make it easier to get out tough hook sets.

I got stuck pretty good about 15 years ago. So bad that I had to drive my embarrassed ass to the hospital for hook removal. Ever since, I have used a Boga Grip. I bought one 15 years ago, and I still have the same one to this day...

It seems like there are other members of the ER club.  My wife still laughs at me to this day.  Buried to the bone and then we had to drive an hour to the boat ramp and then another hour to the post ER.  Fun times. The nurse asked what I was there for and I just lifted up my hand.  No words necessary!

 

A belly grab would have worked and I have also grabbed the treble hooks with a pair of pliers and tried to remove it that way.  Tricky situation when they have multiple hooks embedded inside. 

Definitely going to look at a Boga grip for the boat.