Hook left in fish and released

[trying to catch a biggie]

I cought a nice bass last weekend. But just one problem it swallowed the hook. So i thought it was best to cut the line and realse it. Was this a good idea? Will the figh survive?

[IceholeFisherman]

That was probably the best choice if you are going to release a deep hooked fish. It will rust out in a week or two.

[walleye1]

Yep, you did the right thing.I've caught more than one fish with a hook still in their throat. It'll be just fine.   

[Bluefinforme]

I caught a bass last year that had a hook and leader sticking out of his ass......chances are, he'll pass it before it rusts out

[John_BZ]

I caught a bass last year that had a hook and leader sticking out of his ass......chances are, he'll pass it before it rusts out

i have seen this before. the fish stands a much better chance of surviving if you cut the line and let the fish try to naturally pass it than if you try to do some surgery on it. the only time i'll go diggin is if im going to keep the fish anyhow.

[Scientist]

Usually if deep hooked in the mouth or gill area the fish will throw the hook out by head shaking after a few days. If it is a deep gut hook then it should pass with the third large bulky meal, i.e. a large minnow.

[kimball07]

 It'll be just fine

[TheRo0sTer]

You know those red hook removers are real good for deep hooks and little damage. I keep it hand because my boy like to throw bait from time to time.

[lotwfisher]

Cutting the hook is the best idea if you cant get too it. This is also best in the winter on cold days when the fish can suffer frozen gills and eyes.

[SPARKYICE]

i've caught lots of fish with hooks still in them.
a bass I caught ice fishing had a snelled hook in his gut, with the leader hanging out his mouth.
the fish was quite emaciated, and the hook was far from rusted through, but the fish hit a minnow.
the leader had moss growing on it,it had been there awhile.
i think the cheap, iron hooks would rust out faster than the expensive, anodized, colored hooks.(like the gamagatsus i use).
 but,  if you just yank out the hook the fish will probably die for sure.

[trying to catch a biggie]

Ok thank you all so much for replying. I kind of felt bad for the fish when i released it. But now i  no the fish will either pass it or it will just rust out.

[daffydone]

I caught a bass last year that had a hook and leader sticking out of his ass......chances are, he'll pass it before it rusts out
[/
quote] I caught a small mouth that had the same thing

[deadsmelthead]

All but deply embeded hooks should be removed, a hook can stay stuck in a fish for months,contrary to the couple weeks thing we so comonly hear, with gut hooks or throat shots you should cut the line and leave it hanging out of the fishies mouth about  a foot and a half this will help keep the shank flush against the throat so food can pass thru it. This is all info bioligist recomend.

[salmohunter]

Cut the leader.... Hooks are cheap...

[trying to catch a biggie]

Thank you all for taking the time and answering my question!!!! Now i no billy bass and Mr pickerel on occasion will be fine

[littleoldlady]

It wasn't a bass...it was a laker..and we found a couple of treble stingers in its tummy when we were cleaning it...one stinger was
still attached to a minnow that had been used for bait!! 




And that laker was still full of ciscos and still hitting.  Amazing, I thought.

[flyingknee]

I caught a bass the other day with a minnow on a tipup,the bass had the loop from a snelled hook sticking out it's vent (a$$).I'm not sure how far up the hook was,of course I didn't touch the snell and just released the bass.It was in fine condition.

[johndeere540]

I caught a lake trou once about 20 inches,cut the line and released it. Three weeks later i caught the same fish. My hook still buried in him and leader hanging out his mouth. If i hadnt kept him this time im sure the fish would have died within days from its body being so empty and run down. Hooks dont deteriorate. I reused the hook.