Release Tools

[sbro73]

Hey Gang,like a little feedback as to what release tools are your favorite, someone said a good fishing glove is a pretty good idea to bring along, also give me an idea ones to stay away from. Tanks a Heap, and might see some of you at the show this weekend !!!

[CommonSense Guy]

Fishing gloves are a must. A good set up hook cutters and jaw openners is all you need. Big net as well.

[big musk411]

Commonsence guys name says it all, he is on the money. I will add a ggod long pair of needlnose pliars. Also it is a good idea to tie the jawspreaders to the boat with a rope. you don't want accidentaly release a fish with them still in its mouth. My dad did that to a smalish pike a couple of years ago in canada, then he said it was somthing that he thought I would do. It made me mad.

[Random guy]

In my boat I keep;

1)Long needle nose pliers

2)long handled hook cutters

3)Catch and release freindly(plaistic tips)jaw spreader

4)Hook proof glove

5)first aid kit for when the release does not go as planned

[RK]

Hiya,

Release tools are an absolute must. It's a 'have them or don't fish' deal...

- Long nose hook-outs. Lots of guys use the long nose Baker hook outs, but I can't stand those things. Jaws are small, and hard to get leverage with them. I use 11" needle nose pliers with 45 degree jaws. Angled jaws are great because you can grab hooks without having your hand in the way so you can't see what you're doing.

- Hook cutters. Get a set of Knipex compound hook cutters. They're the best there are, period. Can cut a 6/0 with one hand and nothing more than a firm squeeze. Nice thing is, you don't have pieces of hook rocketing off at 100fps in a random direction when you cut hooks either. The pieces just fall into the water. Knipex cutters aren't cheap, but they last 10x longer than the $20 Dare cutters. I used to go through a pair of Dare bolt cutters every season, and by the end of the year the jaws were sprung, notched and cuting a 5/0 was a 2-handed squeeze with all your might deal... The Knipex I have in my boat are on their 7th season and still cut like new - and I cut hooks a lot. So if you balk at the pricetag, do the math on new cutters every other year vs a pair that lasts for several seasons...

- Lots of guys use Jaw Spreaders, and I do carry a pair, but I don't use them unless I really have to. Have seen fish get their jaws mangled by them when they thrash, and don't like that much. If you use them though, tether them to a cleat or something. Fish swimming off with a pair of jaw spreaders in their mouth is a bad deal. It's happened. Mine have a 4' cord with a loop I can throw over a cleat when I need them.

For landing devices, I use a Frabill net - either a Big Kahuna or a Qwik Kradle. Fish friendly mesh, and easy to use. I still hand land/water release 90% of my fish, but if a fish looks like it's going to take major surgery to unhook, I net them. Keeps them contained and easy to work on while you cut hooks. Main thing is a net big enough to let them stretch out in. They thrash when they get folded up...

Final tip on tools... Put a loop on your pliers and cutters so you can slide the loop over your wrist in case they slip out of your hands. I take heavy plastic-coated cable and tape it to the handles with duct tape. The cable stays rigid and out of the way. Works better than rope or parachute cord, which flops down and gets in the way...

Cheers,

RK

[cjac]

Hi all,

I'll add one more thing to the above posts.....a "game plan".

As in: once I'm hooked up how am I going to handle this fish? How is she hooked, what direction is she headed, where is my boat going to go while I'll release her (away from docks/rocks/shore or other anglers), etc. From that point I think about what tools I'll need (they should be accessible, and not buried), and get her back in the water ASAP, or do the in-water release if it fits the situation.

My number of releases pales in comparison to the experienced anglers that posted above, but I've learned from them and this site and the releases I have had have been quick and safe for both me and the fish!!

One more release tool......a good camera!

I don't know about the rest of you, put I'm really getting the "itch" to get out. This ice season hasn't helped either. Of course, yesterday's muskie expo visit and the new lures, tackle box, and hat sure didn't help!!! June 4th can't come soon enough!

[Random guy]

Quote:

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Hi all,

I'll add one more thing to the above posts.....a "game plan".

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Very good point, if you aren't ready all heck is going to break loose.

[cupper]

JP, where can i find a pair of the plastic coated jaw-spreaders? Thorne Bros.?

[Random guy]

I don't even remember where I got mine, might have been Reeds in Walker. Check Thornes out, they have everything else, don't see why they wouldn't have those. I know I see them in baitshops from time to time also.

[Worst Kid]

Thanks for all the release tools info. Could I just add little rubber/plastic pieces to the ends of my jaw spreader to make it more catch and release friendly? Also RK where did you buy the knipex hook cutters?

[Giant_Jackpot]

You can get the cutters at Thorne's........