How to Unhook Fish Without Hurting Them (Or Yourself)
Alright, so you’ve got a fish on the line—awesome! That adrenaline rush when you finally reel it in? Yeah, we all love it. But here’s the deal: what happens next matters big time. Whether you’re tossing it back or taking it home, unhooking safely keeps the fish healthy and keeps you from getting stabbed by a fin or hook.
Grab Your Gear First
No kidding—get this stuff ready before you even cast: long-nose pliers, a disgorger (if you’re into coarse fishing), or forceps. Pro tip? Use barbless hooks or smash down the barbs on regular ones. Makes life way easier. Oh, and wet your hands or grab a damp towel. Dry hands wreck that slimy protective layer on fish skin, which can lead to nasty infections. Having everything handy means you can hustle and get the fish back in the water faster.
Handle Like It’s Glass
Once you’ve landed it, don’t death-grip the thing or let it flop wildly. Lay it on something soft and wet—unhooking mat, wet grass, whatever. Keep it calm and support its belly. Gentle but firm grip, yeah? Watch out for spiny critters like perch—hands off the danger zones. Big fish? Cradle the head and tail so you don’t squish its guts. If it’s thrashing like crazy, chill for a sec—let it tire out in the net. Way less drama for both of you.
Unhook Smart, Not Rough
Depends where the hook’s stuck. Lip or mouth? Easy—just wiggle it out with your fingers or pliers. Grab the hook, twist opposite to how it went in. Barbed hook? Slow and steady wins here. If it’s deep, don’t yank blindly. Use your disgorger or forceps and take your sweet time. Super deep or sketchy spot? Sometimes it’s kinder to just cut the line close to the hook and leave it. Fish usually shakes it off later.
Keep ‘Em Wet, Okay?
Fish suffocate fast out of water. Unhook and release ASAP. Some folks keep a bucket of water nearby so the fish can catch its breath before release—super handy when it’s hot out. Wanna snap a pic? Set up your camera before you pull it out. Quick shot only. And never hold it high over rocks—keep it low over grass or water in case it slips.
Let It Go Right
Hook’s out? Ease it back into the water gently—no chucking! If it looks tired, hold it facing the current ’til it kicks off strong. Best feeling ever? Watching it swim away like nothing happened. Means you nailed it.
Why Bother?
This isn’t just about being nice. Handling fish right shows respect—for the sport, the animal, and the ecosystem. Plus, it keeps fish populations healthy so we can all keep fishing down the line.
Next time you land one, slow down for 10 seconds. With the right tools and a little patience, you’ll unhook like a pro. And yeah, you’ll feel pretty damn good about it.