Bass Swallowing Hooks

[chefxian]

I was out fishing my local ponds and having a good day until I hooked into a bass and he swallowed the hook. I tried going underneath the gills lightly tugging the hook every possible means. I tried to cut the hook low enough and my garbage pliers broke. The hook was deep in his throat and it started to tear so I just cut the line and than I released the fish. Second cast  same thing. This time I just cut the line and let him go. About 5 minutes later I watched the fish trying to stay alive and then the fish died. How can I prevent this in the future.

[Raul]

If you can 't release the hook easily and fast cut the line and let the fish go, all that pulling and tugging caused a lot more damage than leaving the hook there in first place, the gills are highly vascularized and if you tugg, pull and twist all you are doing is giving the fish a free ticket to bass heaven.

Also, something is wrong  with your fishing technique or your gear, you are giving the fish too much time, that 's why it swallows the hook, it could be caused by several factors: your reaction time is slow, you 're fishing against the wind, your line is slack, your fishing rod lacks of enough sensitivity.

[chefxian]

Thank you for the advice. I was using 8lb test line, Throwing a Senko with a 2/0 hook. Both fish hit the worm as soon as it landed the water. I closed the bail and reeled in the slack and they were on. I fast cut the line on the second fish and he swam in circles and erratically then finally died. So fast cutting the line ? I dont know. Is there something else you suggest.

[chefxian]

Will the hook dissolve if not ingested?

[digdug]

As a fisherman and SCUBA diver, I can tell you the the hook will dissolve even if not ingested in a matter of a few days.  The only exception to this would be if you were using a stainless steel hook.

[chefxian]

The hook was made by Matzuo. It says its carbon steel. If I use stainless Im screwed? What do other people use? Im not interested in destroying this population from a bad hook selection

[Rebbasser]

Here is a way to get the hook out.  Fortunately I haven't had to use it yet, but from what I hear it really works:

http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if2806_HookRemoval/

[chefxian]

I looked on the web page but the hook was down in the gullet. the barb was hooked in it. I couldnt get my finger in there dep enough to work it out.

This sucks, I really dont want to kill fish.

[bassin4life]

change hooks like a wide gap hook or g-lock....I use a type of plier I have that can cut the hook out of a bass but if its too deep i cut the line eventually the hook will dissolve or work its way out...

[chefxian]

What kind of Pliers?

[bassin4life]

like cuttin pliers cuts wire but i use them to cut hooks ;D

[Rebbasser]

I use a pair of side cutters I found at Sears.  They have about a 30 degree bend in the handle that allow me to cut the hook off flush with the fish's mouth leaving nothing sticking up to interfere with the fish eating.

[Nick_Barr]

I bought basic fishing pliers for $5 at Wal-Mart and they are good pliers.

[digdug]

Carbon steel will rust out very quickly.  Yes, if you use stainless steel, you're "screwed".  You normally only see stainless steel hooks used in salt water fishing, trotlines, and limblines etc.

[NBR]

There is a tool called De Barb that has a groove to follow the line down and cutters to cut the hook. It also has magnets to catch the hook piece so it comes out with the tool.

I found mine but searching on the web for D Barb.

[Bassin101]

If you can 't release the hook easily and fast cut the line and let the fish go, all that pulling and tugging caused a lot more damage than leaving the hook there in first place, the gills are highly vascularized and if you tugg, pull and twist all you are doing is giving the fish a free ticket to bass heaven.

Also, something is wrong with your fishing technique or your gear, you are giving the fish too much time, that 's why it swallows the hook, it could be caused by several factors: your reaction time is slow, you 're fishing against the wind, your line is slack, your fishing rod lacks of enough sensitivity.

Raul, last weekend was only my second time fishing Senkos and I had the same problem on three of four.  On two of the three, the hook released easily thru the gill and I cut the line.  The 3rd was hooked deep in the throat.  Should we be keeping a little tension on the line to set the hook quicker, and  pay closer attention?

[hookem19]

you might be putting the hook too low in the senkos... i had the same problem because i was hooking my worms near the end and too many fish were swallowing it so i just moved up about 1/4 of an inch and haven't had one swallow the hook since...

HP

[Raul]

Good point Hookem.

Bassin you need to do both tight line and line observation, also, being the second time you haven 't developed the "feel" yet and it 's not your fault all you need is time to develop it.

Normally most fishermen develop a certain mechanical pattern for certain baits, we get used to fish soft plastic baits pretty much in the same way and we apply that principle to all of them; we all are used to make a cast, let it fall to the bottom, when it settles on the bottom we jerk the rod and lift the bait with our rod tip in the upright position until we feel the bait touching the bottom again, we lower the rod tip, reel in the slack and we start all over again so we get used to that pattern and to the familiar thumping of the bait ( weight ) hitting the bottom, the same thing happens when a fish strikes the bait, we are used to feel that familiar thump-thump when we have a strike.

With soft plastic jerkbaits the situation changes, what you are used to no longer the same principle can be applied. Why ? because bass have a tendency to hit the bait in the fall, as it is falling is when the bait develops it 's sideways fluttering motion and that 's what triggers the strike.

What to do ? make your cast, lock your reel and let it fall to the bottom, the way you will know the bait is on the botton is because your line goes slack, unless you 're fishing one of those monster senkos you won 't feel the bait settling on the bottom ( opposed to what happens with a weighted rig, you no longer feel that familiar thump ), reel in the slack, lift your rod tip and then as the bait is falling lower your rod tip at the same speed the bait is sinking without retrieving line, that will keep enough tension on the line, as you lower your rod tip you will notice something very peculiar, the bait is sinking AWAY from you ( cool feature ain 't it ?   ) dragging the line, you can SEE it and FEEL it until it settles on the bottom again, the same thing will happen, you won 't feel the bait as it hits the bottom, reel any slack and you 're ready again.

Now here comes the tricky part, when you know you have a strike ? you are waiting for that familiar thump-thump that tells you the fish has the bait but with these baits by the time the you feel it the fish has already swallowed the bait and you end up with a gut hooked fish.

With soft plastic stick baits you have a strike when the bait does it 's "vanishing" act as it is sinking away from you, I call it the vanishing act because you no longer feel the drag of the line, the sensation is hard to explain with words, it feels like the bait has dissapeared from the end of the line, also your line goes slightly slack and you can see it whenever you get that sensation or see you line going slighty slack SET THE HOOK. I hope that the explanation works.

[Bassin101]

Raul, I think you just nailed it.  Reeling in the line as the senko falls, only to the point of picking up the excess slack, not to effect the fall.  Then when the line moves I will see it sooner...right?  I was amazed at how I could see and feel the line move, but by that time, she was really hooked.  I am going to practice at Bartlett lake tomorrow.   ;D ;D  

[chefxian]

Thank you all for your help. When you say hook the baits lower maybe I dont understand.  I put the hook through the top of the Senko like I would a Texas Rig. I am also using wide gap hooks. Also Carbon hooks will dissolve? What brands are carbon? I use all brand at present.