I was watching some Roland Marin again, and I noticed several times he "pops" the hook when it's in the corner of the fish's mouth. What is this popping and when should it be used? Is it just a Roland Martin thing or does everyone do it?

 

I know that it can be difficult to get the hook out when it's in the corner of the mouth like that, but I have always been concerned I'd damage the hinge portion of the mouth if I wasn't careful.

 

Thanks for everyone's insight.

 

Start at 11:50 to see it. I believe he does it once before but I didn't note the time.

 

I’ve never done it 

in general, i always try to go back out the way i went in

Works well much of the time.

No, I try to limit the trauma I cause to the fish, slamming my hand against the hook and fish is the opposite of that.  

im with Bama-spot.  i use pliers,  i am not bonking a fish with my hand.  

I do it if the hook is positioned right.  If it’s in the roof of the mouth or too far back, I use pliers.  If it’s in the front corner and I can’t push it out with my finger inside in the hook bend, I will pop it out.  I don’t hit the fish, I hit the hook and it’s at an angle where the eye of the hook and the fish are not aligned. 

Tried it once back in the 70s, ended up with the hook eye in my hand.

 

 

It's actually less stressful on the fish than reaching into its mouth with your hand or pliers to remove the hook.  It comes out the way it went in and it's quicker. It works extremely well when a fish is hooked in the roof or side of the mouth.  If you've ever used the loop of heavy line to get a hook out of yourself, you know what I'm talking about. And, NO, you don't hit the fish when doing it, you hit the line tie.

I do it pretty frequently when flipping. 

Interesting replies. I think I'd like to learn the technique as I've had a lot of instances when then hook is in the corner and its a hard spot to get. Anyone got a known good youtube reference for how its done correctly?

When the hook is positioned for the technique, it's very safe and effective*TM

Old habits are hard to break. He's done it for years. It's just the angle, the pivot. Quick hit and the hook pops out, quick and efficient. When tournament fishing like he did, every single move must be as efficient as possible. 

Only when the hook is really stuck on a hard plate and then only after angling the hook the way it went in then pop.  Otherwise mostly a patient plier minimizes fish damage.  I've had times when I'm standing there for minutes and almost giving up and alil more patience and its out.

Seconds seem like minutes when the hooks are not cooperating.

 

I can't imagine going fishing without pliers, but I see others doing so all the time. One guy was catfishing, without pliers, caught a turtle, and wasn't having any success. I offered my assistance via the Leatherman Tool, and bent the barb down. The turtle thanks Mr. Leatherman.