Ouch ! hook in finger and ways to avoid it ? Please, pretty please !

[Spoonminnow]

Just started using crankbaits after decades of using mostly soft plastic lures and thought maybe some of you fine gents can tell me your method for removing treble hooks from fish especially when one hook is deep and the other lipped. I don't want to have to extract another hook past the barb from my finger with a big crappies jerking all over the place !!

(Will never feel anything again in that area for the rest of my life.)

[Crestliner08]

Here is a recent discussion on this topic which may prove helpful. You can also try crimping down the barbs. Your loss ratio will not be that much different. Here the link to that discussion:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-crappie-fishing-forum/398966-treble-hook/

[Ketchn]

all treble hooked crank style baits with fish on them SCARE me ….

[DockShootinJack]

Lots of hook points flying around

[Spoonminnow]

Thanks !
I have short shank J hooks and will replace the tail treble hook with one; the front treble hook I'll cut off 2 of three hooks or add a larger treble also with two removed so the lure runs true. I also read years ago to add a second split ring to the rear hook for better hook ups. Seems to work better.

[BobC]

I pretty much quit cranks because of the damage they do to the fish. Like many here I’m also a CAR fisherman. I’m going to get some #6 in line hooks and try those on my collection of Rebel lures.
Bob

[Skippa Chippa]

I use a pair of hemostats actually 3 pair in my boat and don't try to get my fingers close to the hooks.

[cwright]

Bass pro makes a hook remover with a t handle that pulls a little j up into the body completely grabbing the hook. It is small and cheap (<$10) and works great on crankbaits for crappie and catfish when they decide to bite. If it is a cat and I am not going to keep it, I reach down with the remover and grab the hook and shake him off. Never have to get slimed up.

[cwright]

Just looked it up. Bass Pro calls it the Squeeze out hook remover and it is $9 and change. Works great.

[deathb4disco]

Like Meghan Trainor said, "I'm all about that bass -- no treble."