What are you guys using for hook removers (like forceps/hemostats/needle-nose/etc.) and what are your favorites?

[Craig DuShane]

Hey guys,

I think I'm getting pretty good at operating on what would likely be dying fish that have swallowed the hook. Do you guys have any favorite tools/techniques you use to save a little guy who swallowed your favorite tear drop, tube bait, jig, etc.? I'm talking like the 3-5 inchers that you'd normally throw back.

Regular hooks I could possibly get behind just leaving it in there to disintegrate, but that can get expensive with other kinds of hooks.

What do you guys do?

[Leo Nguyen]

Loosing fish on a barbless is only 2% to 7% max. Most of the time, one the rod is always in my hands. That retain 98% of the fish. The 7% is the one that sits in the rod holders. However, using the circle hooks #10 or #12 do provide a massive advantage. I wish they make the circle hooks in #16 to #18 for trouts. The salmon egg hooks are good, but not as efficient as the circle hooks with the wider gap and greater impaling angle. Without the circle hooks, I would say I could have lost as much as 20% for the poles that sit in the holders.

[John Magurean]

Hi Everyone, new member here.  I started experimenting with "circle hooks" recently. Most of the time if the gill takes the hook deep it pulls out of the gut and hooks the gill in the mouth just like it is supposed to do. If it does hook up, it can be pushed in slightly more and then retrieved, usually without damage. Not 100 percent but so far it is close. I have been using a #6 mostly. Also mostly use hemostat with 30 or so degree curve.  Used to crimp the barb all the time til I started with the circle hooks.....

[wag]

      Use a curved hemostat ----- cut the finger holes at base then open loop some and file cut part ----- easier to grab and get my fingers in ready to use quicker. 

[Craig DuShane]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this...could you try to explain it in some more detail or even better with a pic?

Also, what brands and where did you get them for approx. how much (talking all the curved hemostat users)?

I have been trying to keep my eyes peeled for circle hooks too, but haven't bought any yet.

[wag]

  Got mine @ Cabela's in the fly fishing area.

[Leo Nguyen]

You can by Walmart's brand circle hook #6 and #8 for $0.99, come in packs of 10 or 15. I like to purchase Eagle Claws because they have size down to #10. I was lucky to have a pack of Gamakatsu hooks #12 a few years ago, but could not find one ever since. Eagle Claw supposedly carry #12 and #14, but could not find them. Would be nice to have them in #14 to #16 you can grab readily.

 

The slim surgical style hemostat can easily be found at the local medical supply store (well, around me any way), online at pharmaceutical sites, or on eBay for the stainless steel (cheap brands).

 

eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Stainless-Steel-7-Curve-Tip-Locking-Hemos...

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WECK-STOREY-ARTERY-FORCEPS-496216-STRONG-CU...

 

 

Surgical sites: http://www.surgicaltools.com/products.htm?cat=6gpvjwcd (look for 16cm curved..all are surgical grade)

 

[Allen Morgan]

The smallest circle hooks that the Wally Worlds around here carry are Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp 3/0.  I was lucky enough to find some Gamakatsu Octopus Circles, size 8, at Dick's when they opened up last Fall.  I haven't used those for sunnies yet, but they're murder on White Bass.