Removing the Hooks
With the pike safely on the bank, the hooks have to be removed.
Despite the fact that the pike is well equipped with teeth it will not bite you.
If it improves your confidence, and I know it improves mine, use a glove.
- Lay the fish on its back on your unhooking mat, bubble-wrap, clean ground sheet or whatever and gently kneel astride it.
- Slide your first and second fingers of your left hand under the pike's gill covers, making sure that you do not damage the gill-rakers.
- Slide your hand firmly forwards until you feel the jaw bone, and lift firmly. The pike's mouth will open, revealing the hooks. Using a , strong pair of forceps, remove the hooks. If you are lure-fishing pliers are generally a better bet.
(Switch over if you are left-handed.)
Making Life Easier
- Consider using barbless hooks, you might loose some fish, but life when they are on the bank is a heck of a lot simpler.
- Remove some of the hooks from the lures you use and flatten the barbs with a pair of pliers. I often do this while unhooking fish anyway and find the lump seems to hold fish as well as a barb. If you can't fit your hand between two treble hooks then one of them needs to come off.
- At times it's easier to release or remove hooks through the gill cover, but be careful. If you remove it that way then as soon as it's clear cut it off the trace.
- Only use one treble hook on a small deadbait it should be adequate.
- Fish for Bream.
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