Every angler should be prepared like a good boy scout with knowledge on how to perform fish hook removal with string. If you have fished with others in a boat or fish with lures with treble hooks you have gotten impaled or had some close calls. When those smallmouth start thrashing around as you are trying to release them from that lipless crank bait or popper, you can bet you eventually will end up getting a new piercing somewhere you never intended. I’ve picked 3 videos to demonstrate the technique that is used most frquently as well as some additional written information to help you be prepared for your fish hook mistakes!
Fish Hook Removal With String
First we have the short version. Continue to watch for the closer angle toward the end
Then we have the fully armed and detailed explanation to help you really understand how to do this. This man’s wife is helping with the video demonstration. Very sweet couple 🙂
For a written explanation, I found an article written for doctors.
String-Yank Technique
The string-yank technique is a highly effective modification of the retrograde technique and is also referred to as the “stream” technique. It is commonly performed in the field and is believed to be the least traumatic because it creates no new wounds and rarely requires anesthesia. It may be used to remove any size fishhook but generally works best when removing fishhooks of small and medium size. This technique also works well for deeply embedded fishhooks, but cannot be performed on parts of the body that are not fixed (e.g., earlobe). Physicians should be familiar with the concepts of this method because improper technique could cause further tissue damage.
A string, such as fishing line, umbilical tape or silk suture, should be wrapped around the midpoint of the bend in the fishhook with the free ends of the string held tightly. A better grip on the string can be achieved by wrapping the ends around a tongue depressor. The involved skin area should be well stabilized against a flat surface as the shank of the fishhook is depressed against the skin. Continue to depress the eye and/or distal portion of the shank of the hook, taking care to keep the shank parallel to the underlying skin. A firm, quick jerk is then applied parallel to the shank while continuing to exert pressure on the eye of the fishhook. The fishhook may come out with significant velocity so the physician and bystanders should remain out of the line of flight. Original article here
At some point in your life, you will most likely get a hook stuck. You amy want ot read the full article referenced above because the fish hook removal with string technique doesn’t work on areas such as ear lobes. Keep these helpful tips in mind and stay safe. Share this with your friends so they can be prepared by clicking on LIKE and Tweet below. If you’ve ever had to do this let me know in the comments section.