A must carry tool!

Yesterday while on the lake,a gentleman pulled his boat up next to my kayak,and ask me if I could help him dislodge a treble hook from his index finger.Ive never used the string and yank method,but when I presented this option to him,he declined( something about yanking a hook backward goes against even my desire )
I much prefer to shove the point ahead through and snip the barb end off,so did the man with the hook.After dismantling the spinner,only the treble hook remaind,shoving the barb ahead through didn't bother me at all.rotflnext problem was my leatherman side cutters were to big to snip the end off a #12 treble.
I did manage to flatten the barb,and slide the hook back out,but we both decided that a small set of quality side cutters would have made the operation much easier,a set will forever live in our tackle box.

Very valuable info! Thank you

I hope his tetanus shot is up to date.

The string method works very well, is painless, and does not tear the skin up. Plus you always have some string laying around.,

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

The string method works very well, is painless, and does not tear the skin up. Plus you always have some string laying around.,

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Sometimes a pass thru is impossible, like under a fingernail. String method or ,heaven forbid, digging it out may be the only way!

^^^ Actually made me a puller with some twisted 30lb braid slid through some airline tubing and tied in a loop. Keep it stowed in my first aid kit. Press down on hook shank and a quick snap and its out.

I added a new set of side cutters to my tackle box when I started pulling cranks. Haven't needed them yet thank goodness.

I'm betting on average,most folks cannot bring themselves to imagine pulling a hook out backwards would be painless and not tear when popping out.I had the pleasure of hooking myself in the tricep with a large treble,( two outta three barbs were in my arm )since I had no help,managing the string removal method was not easily doable.My only option was use my needle nose cutters,and poke both points through ( another good reason to keep your hooks sharp )
Bicep skin is dang tough by the way,yet poking them through was surprisingly painless,popped off the barbs and released my self.

I've been fortunate enough to be involved in 3 different hook incedents. The first went my family took me to the Dr. The next we used the line pull method. The most recent one I was moving a rod to my truck and somehow buried a single hook in my hand. A quick glance and I popped it on through before I really had much time to think about it. I then cut it off and backed it through. A little sore for the day but did fine after. The one consideration for the line method is that if you happened to bury the hook in a tendon or ligament, it may not work.

Here ya go if you can handle it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp6jimTV7o4

Another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUQXpg76xQ

One more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgfpsupmu98

I've used the "push it through/clip barb/back it out" method on my late fishing buddy, after an errant cast by his brother put a treble hook into his head.

Personally, I've had only one instance where a hook got buried past the barb. Unfortunately, it was in my thumb and the point/barb was under the nail. I ended up having to ice it numb, then wiggle it around until there was only one strand of muscle holding it ... then just popped it out, cutting thru whatever it was that was holding it (I just assume it was muscle .. :dono ) Thumb is fine, no nerves damaged, and it's all just a vague memory. Oh, and I knew about the "string/yank" method, having seen it on Bill Dance's show. Problem was, my fishing partner is blood squeamish :Doh: ... so I didn't trust him to properly execute the maneuver. nonono

He is not using the string method properly. You do not need that line thru the eye. Just someone holding light pressure down on it

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

He is not using the string method properly. You do not need that line thru the eye. Just someone holding light pressure down on it

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I think the guy is an idiot in general. Anyone who repeatedly buries hooks in his own hand and arm aint to bright to begin with. Yep more downward pressure on hook eye and also pull more away from entrance than up. Gotta go away from barb.

Harbor freight has the best fishing tool I've found for my needs. It is a 4" set of nippers. They will cut most treble hooks, can be used to cut line/knots to retie, an actually cut braid. After seeing the photo of BIGBADDAD with 2 sides of a large treble buried up in his ankle, I also put a large set of side cutters for the large hooks.
4 In. End Nipper Pliers

I'll hold a strangers boat, but I don't think I am going to be doing any hook removing for them. I will help them back to the ramp where a family member can come meet them.

I was fishing at the Outer banks when my Mother got a hook in her finger. I used the string around the hook and jerk. The hook came out and she told me she didn't feel anything and later it was not sore.

I have had 3 guests in my boat bury a small hook past the barb. I've used the string all 3 times and one was an 80 year old friend, Hank Dutz that some of you might remember. He did a good job with it buried to the bend. I told him I would pull on 3 to get him ready, said 1, 2, and pulled. Popped out, small spot of blood and we were back to fishing. Had 2 cut out when I was younger in the ER, and that doesn't need to be repeated unless tendon or joint was involved. Hopefully, my doctoring skills will go un-needed.