Fishing Foul-Ups: How to Un-Hook Yourself
Editor’s Note: Today’s great outdoorsman tip comes to us courtesy of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Have you ever had to end a great fishing trip early due to accidentally hooking yourself? Even advanced anglers may find themselves needing to remove an embedded hook in their skin. It’s one of the more common accidental injuries that fishermen endure. It’s essential to know when the injury is a painful but minor event that can be handled on the water…and when it’s time to go to the emergency room.
The technique for removing an embedded hook is actually quite simple. Start by cutting off a two- to three-foot long section of heavy monofilament, 15 or 20 lb. test line. If you’re fly fishing, 0x tippet will work fine.
Next, thread the monofilament between the shank of the hook and your skin, situating the loop of monofilament at the bend of the hook. Make sure you have at least 12” of monofilament on either side of the hook. With your thumb, press down on the shank of the hook until the shank is parallel to your skin. Once you have pushed down, quickly jerk the monofilament with your other hand in a motion parallel to the shank to remove the embedded hook. It’s a simple push-and-pull technique that is highly effective. I have performed this on myself many times, but it can certainly be beneficial to have a family member or friend assist you in the process, especially if you hooked yourself in the back or arm.
The tips below can help you in the process as well as decipher when it’s essential to seek medical attention:
- This technique is not recommended with treble hooks. Treble hooks on lures pose an entirely different situation and it’s best to seek medical attention if deeply impaled by two out of three treble hooks.
- Consider pinching the barbs on your hooks before fishing, especially for beginners. A barbless hook is a lot easier to remove than a barbed hook.
- Trust your gut—if you think you need medical attention, then it’s best to go to the emergency room. If you are hooked deeply in the neck or face, it is best to seek medical attention.
- Larger and heavier hooks, especially saltwater hooks that are deeply impaled, might also require a trip to the emergency room.
- Always wear a hat and polarized sunglasses when fishing on the water. Not only will sunglasses protect your eyes, but they also cut down against the glare and help you spot fish in the water.
- Spread out and give yourself ample casting space when fishing together with friends and family.
- Carry a first aid kit in your car when wade fishing or in your boat
See more strategies for removing embedded hooks, complete with diagrams.
— Alex McCrickard, Virginia DWR
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Im sixty two..and I have never hooked myself. No clue why??
My dad on the other hand has horrible luck fishing. Not catching fish, but catching himself! He was out opening day of bass season in Dunkirk NY a VERY popular place..it got very crowded so we decided to move. He pulled up the anchor..we moved..he let the rope slip through his fingers as most of us do….and bang a HUGE hook right through the web of his right hand, almost coming out the other side!! He insisted I remove it..he was not going to miss opening day! So..after looking it over, I shoved it all the way through his hand, cut the eye off the back of the hook and pulled it the rest of the way through. He always was a tough old coot!
His hand DID get infected and made him sick as a dog for a week or so. Laugh!! Tough don’t beat germs!! We always carried a first aid kit after that day. We used it MANY times!! 😁
The best way that I have used to remove hooks is to wrap a piece of fishing line around the hook. Have one end of the line in your teeth and draw it tight so that a stack of the wraps can be pushed into the wound. Eventually enough of the line will fill the barb and the hook will slide out painlessly.
My first and only such experience with a fish hook happened when I was about 10 years old. I got it on the right corner of my lower lip. We were totally unprepared to deal with it, so we walked to the local emergency room to have it removed.
As a bonus, I got a tetanus shot and a taste of the worm. Fond memories!
I had the same thing, but I was 5 years old. First ever trip to the emergency dept!