Thread: Harming a fish you wish to release

I am curious how those of you who fish for panfish relate to this. Seems to me that, occasionally, a fish you catch will have the jig/lure deep in the throat. Recently, I was doing catch n release. With one fish, I got bit on tight line and was shocked that the bluegill had the jig deep in its throat. I figured it would be tough to get it out without harming the fish and I was right. Even with very narrow forceps, I saw blood. I then kept the fish in the livewell to observe, thinking that if it died, I would take it home for cleaning. Along with a couple of others because if I am going to clean a fish, I want to clean at least three. Well, that fish died and I mean quick. I was really surprised. Fish are fragile! How the heck could that fish die so quick? There had to be some serious internal damage. I didn't get rough trying to get the hook out but there was, obviously, some trauma. So, there you have it; catch n release didn't work for this one.

So, what do you guys do? Do you think you have some super technique to remove a hook with no harm? If so, what? Do you find that this happens sometimes no matter what you do? The problem with bream is they have such a tiny mouth. I don't recall this happening with crappie; if it has, it's been a very long time ago.

This is a common problem with bass, especially fishing a soft plastic bait such as a fluke, which looks like a shad. You better not dally or the bass will inhale it. There is a technique for removing a hook in a bass' throat by going behind the gill plate but I have yet to master it and it's often portrayed as an easy technique.

I just do not want to return a fish to the lake that may die, it seems wasteful. Yeah, turtles and such gotta eat but it bugs me. And sometimes, I don't want to clean fish if I have plenty!

With the #8s I use it doesn’t happen often but it does happen. Had one this past weekend that took it in the area where the gills come together. He came back to the surface a while later but didn’t last long, osprey got him. Sickles also have smaller barbs which helps me get em out without damage. A disgorged can also be made from an old toothbrush.