{"id":2431,"date":"2022-09-04T00:08:38","date_gmt":"2022-09-04T00:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/?p=2431"},"modified":"2022-09-07T03:48:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T03:48:20","slug":"how-to-release-a-fish-from-a-hook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/how-to-release-a-fish-from-a-hook\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Release a Fish from a Hook"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re fishing for your personal haul or just catch-and-release fishing, anglers should understand that the conservation of fish is an important part of being a responsible fisherman.<\/p>\n<p>Releasing fish species that are endangered or not of legal size are small acts that can go a long way to preserve the longevity of fishing for generations of anglers.<\/p>\n<p>Releasing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/what-hook-to-use-for-wacky-rig\/\">fish from a hook<\/a> properly is important for two simple reasons.<\/p>\n<p>The first is to ensure that you do not hurt yourself with the hook or by grabbing the wrong part of the fish.<\/p>\n<p>The second is to ensure that you minimize the damage to the fish, which will allow for its survival after release.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a step-by-step guide on how to release a fish from a hook safely and easily.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2438\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2438\" style=\"width: 1014px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2438 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-2-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2438\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fisherman taking hook out of fishes mouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><ul><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><li><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Instructions_to_release_a_fish_from_a_hook\">Instructions to release a fish from a hook<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unhooking a fish isn\u2019t always easy but is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/how-to-tie-a-fishing-hook\/\">definitely worth learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Step_1\">Step 1<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Be sure to reel the fish in close enough to you so that you can grab it by hand.<\/p>\n<p>If you cannot grab the line just yet, try not to allow the fish to bounce about on the ground while still attached to the hook.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, allow it to remain in shallow water as it will tire the fish out.<\/p>\n<p>An exhausted fish will be easier to handle later on.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Step_2\">Step 2<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Decide beforehand if you are going to use fishing gloves.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re going at it bare-handed, then you should wet your hands with a bit of water before handling the fish.<\/p>\n<p>Fish have a slime coat designed to ward off foreign bodies and they are much easier to handle with wet hands.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Step_3\">Step 3<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is where it gets more difficult. You\u2019re now going to grasp the fish around its pectoral fins.<\/p>\n<p>These are the fins below the gills of the fish.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not familiar with the fish, try not to slip your fingers into the gills as these can be sharp and hurt you.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, it\u2019s a fish\u2019s natural instinct to try to escape by any means necessary, so anticipating its wriggling and thrusting beforehand will help you remain calm and not react to the vigorous movement.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> If it is not a larger fish, you can place your index finger under the chin of the fish, which will make it more difficult for the fish to create force when moving about.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span id=\"Step_4\">Step 4<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Try to identify where the fish has been hooked.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, if the hook is in the top or bottom lip, this is soft tissue and it should be fairly easy to remove.<\/p>\n<p>You may be able to do so without any equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Grab hold of the base of the hook and slowly but firmly work the hook in the opposite direction to which it went in.<\/p>\n<p>This is generally in a downward and inward direction.<\/p>\n<p>Give it a little wiggle if it doesn\u2019t come off easily on the first attempt.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Step_5\">Step 5<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This step is only relevant if you intend to release the fish.<\/p>\n<p>If so, here\u2019s how to do so correctly to give the fish the best chance of survival.<\/p>\n<p>The release process is straightforward if you\u2019re fishing in still water conditions, such as in lakes for bass.<\/p>\n<p>Simply lower the fish into the water by the lower jaw. Keep it submerged until the fish starts moving.<\/p>\n<p>Once you can feel some force from the fish, you can let it go.<\/p>\n<p>The process is slightly different if you\u2019re fishing in water with more of a current such as in rivers for trout and perch.<\/p>\n<p>Here you\u2019ll want to lower the head of the fish into the water while supporting the belly with your other hand.<\/p>\n<p>Point the fish upstream and into a light current. Move it about gently to get some water back into its gills and release it when you feel some force.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Remove Hooks from Deep-Hooked Fish With Minimal Harm\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dtUoYjfjcS4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_to_remove_deep-seated_hooks\">How to remove deep-seated hooks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If the hook is more deeply inserted in the fish, you may need to use equipment like pliers or disgorges to retrieve your hook safely.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re using a disgorger:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Attach the disgorger to the line and twist it once to keep it in place<\/li>\n<li>Slide it down until it reaches the base of the hook<\/li>\n<li>Apply pressure downward to release the hook<\/li>\n<li>Be careful not to hook it again on the way out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Removing a hook that has been swallowed is a different situation altogether and usually means that the hook cannot be retrieved without causing significant damage to the fish. In this case, you\u2019re usually left with one of two options.<\/p>\n<p>Add the fish to your take-home and remove it when the fish is dead.<\/p>\n<p>Snip your line as close to the hook shank as possible, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/how-to-put-weight-and-hook-on-fishing-rod\/\">leave the hook in<\/a>, and release the fish.<\/p>\n<p>Fish have a greater survival rate with the hook left in place than having it forced out.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2437\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2437\" style=\"width: 1014px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2437\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Release-a-Fish-From-a-Hook-1-4-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fish opens it&#8217;s mouth hang on a hook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Tips_to_make_releasing_a_fish_easier\">Tips to make releasing a fish easier<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Tip 1<\/strong> \u2013 Lures are, in general, more likely to hook in a fish\u2019s mouth than common bait and hook, which are often seen lodging in gills or bodies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tip 2<\/strong> \u2013 Replace treble hooks with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/what-size-hook-is-best-for-surf-fishing\/\">single hooks<\/a>. Single hooks are naturally easier to remove.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tip 3<\/strong> \u2013 Consider using circle hooks instead of J-hooks. Although they both have a similar shape, the circle hook is generally wider at the bend and reduces the chances of deep hooking.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tip 4<\/strong> \u2013 Usually, hooks come with an option of barbs or not. Opt for barbless hooks or crimp the barbs with your pliers before adding your bait. Barbed fishhooks are much more difficult to release from a fish\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Releasing a fish from a hook is something that every angler is going to encounter at some stage.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing how to do so correctly is safer for the fisherman as it reduces their chances of getting injured.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, it increases the chances of the fish\u2019s survival after release.<\/p>\n<p>When releasing a fish, you should spend a few minutes reviving the fish fully before letting it go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re fishing for your personal haul or just catch-and-release fishing, anglers should understand that the conservation of fish is an important part of being a responsible fisherman. Releasing fish species that are endangered or not of legal size are small acts that can go a long way to preserve the longevity of fishing for &#8230; <a title=\"How to Release a Fish from a Hook\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/how-to-release-a-fish-from-a-hook\/\" aria-label=\"More on How to Release a Fish from a Hook\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Release a Fish from a Hook - OutdoorsNiagara<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here we offer you a step-by-step guide on how to release a fish from a hook safely and easily as its important to learn.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/how-to-release-a-fish-from-a-hook\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Release a Fish from a Hook - 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