How to Unhook a Catfish
One of the most satisfying things is reeling in a nice sized catfish after a day out on the lake. Unfortunately, this also comes with the task of unhooking the catfish. Follow these tips to make sure that you don’t get injured while getting that fish off of your hook.
Use a Rope
Those that do not want to touch the catfish can use a rope to remove the hook. Simply pull the line taut, and then run the rope through the shank of the hook. After that, use the rope to slowly guide the hook out of the fish. Make sure to hold the fish over water, or over the cooler, while doing this. Then, it will land exactly where you want it to.
This is a great method for people that do not want to touch a catfish while unhooking it. It guarantees that you will not get slime on your hands, and you will not get injured. This method will not work every time that a catfish needs unhooked. If the hook is too deep, another method will be necessary.
Learn How to Hold a Catfish
First and foremost, it is important to learn how to hold a catfish. Fishermen must beware of the pectoral and dorsal fins to avoid injury. This can be done by using a special grip, or by using a lip grip. Fishermen that have a medium-sized catfish on the other end of their line can safely wrap their hand around the fish without getting hurt. Fishermen that do not feel comfortable doing that can grab the fish by the bottom lip using a lip grip. Most catfish do not have sharp teeth, so there is little chance of being a bit. Both options will protect fishermen when they attempt to unhook a catfish.
Rotate the Hook
When unhooking a catfish, it is important to make sure that the hook is pointed downward. This will guarantee that it is easy to lift the fish up and over the hook. It will also make it easier for those that are unhooking catfish by hand to gently pull the hook out of the fish. Those that would like to release fish uninjured back into the wild will want to use this method because it does not cause further harm to the fish.
Unhook by Hand
If the rope method is not going to work, or if you want to look as though you are not intimidated by catfish in front of your friends, unhooking it by hand is another option. Utilize the tip above regarding how to hold a catfish. Then, hold the fish with one hand and the hook with the other. Slowly work the hook out of the fish’s mouth by rotating it and gently guiding it out of the hole. Then, release the fish or toss it into the cooler.
Unhooking a catfish can be a messy, especially if the catfish is a species that is covered with slime instead of scales. It can also result in significant injury. One puncture to the skin by the dorsal fin can result in an afternoon of pain. These awesome tips will help everyone enjoy their afternoon because of how easy it is to unhook the catfish.
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