Hook cutters. (Not for the weak stomach)

[jdbigeye]

I've been going through my musky equipment several times with the fever hitting pretty hard, and I comparing it to lists posted earlier on this site. I do not own a hook cutter. I guess I should probably have one, but I am curious what kind of situation would call for such a tool. Where do you cut the hooks off at. Won't a hook hanging around in the fish's mouth cause some problems???

[RuKiddingMe]

Lots of situations, fish is in rough shape and a ASAP release is needed for the good of the fish. When you have a fish that has created a nasty knot in your net and it's just faster to clip the hooks and go. When the fish manages to lodge all 3 points of both troubles in it's mouth and getting them out is mind boggling. When the fish throws the hooks and they land in your hand, or worse yet when you and an angry Muskie are both hanging from the same lure.

In most cases you'll want to make sure you clip the hooks so that the tips fall out of the mouth if at all possible.

Release tools are the most important part of muskie fishing, I wouldn't want to be on the water without my bolt cutters.

RU

[Random guy]

It is actually better to cut a deeply embedded hook off instead of tearing it out. A fish will disolve a embedded hook within a few days. A hook that is torn or forced out can cause unrepairable tissue and nerve damage. Another good reason to have a hook cutter is for when this happens-

If it wasn't for the hook cutters the musky would have kept thrashing while I tried to get the hook out. With cutters you are free and clear in seconds and trust me seconds are hours when you and a fish are stuck on the same hook.

Need anymore reasons to buy a hook cutter?

[cjac]

Say no more than that!! A picture tells a thousand words, in this case mostly 4 letter words I assume!!

Here's a link to the Knipex tools at Thorne Bros, they are considered by many to be the industry standard.

Knipex Tools

[sbro73]

Good Point !!! (sic) What is the most best model to get ???

[MuskyBrian]

Just as a sidenote, I purchased a more affordeable pair of Hook Cutters, They were somewhere between 15-20$ from Rollie and Helens and I had no problems with them whatsoever.

[Random guy]

Quote:

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Good Point !!! (sic) What is the most best model to get ???

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I figured that would get my "point" (and barb) across. That was a tough evening on the water.

I have found that the Knipex brand they sell at Thorne Brothers works great as do the ones from Rollie and Helens. What I came across was a set of stainless steel "High leverage wire/pin cutter" in a surgical supply catalog. I have no idea what the Docs use them for and I probably don't want to know but they work slick one handed and they don't rust since they are made from stainless steel. They look just like a heavy duty side cutter or cutting dikes with long narrow handles. I have also seen them for sale in the non stainless style in tool catalogs.

[jdbigeye]

Thanks guys. That picture was all I needed to help my decision. There might even be a couple cutters laying around my boat this summer.

[Scoot]

Jon P, not trying to argue with you here, but I'm getting mixed info about hooks. I've heard that most of the new hooks actually don't disolve from the fish like the older ones used to. Is this true? I've been told that because the hooks are made with much better material they will last plenty long enough to kill a muskie if they are not removed. That's why I've been told to get the hook out if there's any way possible. Which is true?

[MJBo]

I never really bought the dissolving out deal when fish are hooked in the jaw. I always thought that applied to a swallowed hook. There is no way a hook in the jaw is going to disslove out in a time period that will allow the fish to eat and survive.

That being said when I cut a treble I do it between the barb and the main shank so theres just a fragment of metal stuck in there with a barb in it. either it will worm out (very likely) or the wound will close over it. Either way the fish is OK.

[Blowfish]

I don't buy the dissolved hook deal either. Go soak a Reef Hawg over winter to get it to crack...hooks just get rusty, that's about it. The biggest issue is handling fish, keep it in the net in the water and work it.

What I do, and you need someone to hold the net, is grab the point of the hook that has gone through the fish's flesh with your pliers. Cut the hook on the other side with your cutters. The hook is out and you have the tip in pliers. Obviously there are times you can't do that so the only option is to cut the hook and hope for the best.

I use Knipex hook cutters. Expensive but they do the job. Just make sure buy something that is quality and not some dump that couldn't clip your toe nail!

[MJBo]

I've posted this before, but I think its worth throwing up there again. (pic of the wife in front of the emergency room/ hook is in her head) Tried waiting for it to dissolve out but nothing happened!!!!

[Random guy]

Oh Man thats rough. I have had clients hook me in the back of the head, the ear, back of my leg and I even had one client sit on her own lure(that was a rough operation in the boat) but never in my life have I seen one in the forehead. How in the heck did that one happen?

[delmuts]

so?? was she really smiling or just being tough for the camera?? oooch!

[MJBo]

We were slip bobber fishing in current for smallies and she got hung up real shallow. She was trying to yank it out (as I was yelling NOOOOO in slow motion) and the whole rig came sailing at her head. Bobber and weight went right over the shoulder but the hook didn't. SHe was a great sport about it (after the initial panic). E room was hysterical. The nurses kept asking "what brings you to the emergency room today?" so I kept saying "well I figured I'd try using her for bait and..." A good time was had by all.

[barnyard]

Hooks do not dissolve in a fish. That's an old wive's tale.

If a muskie swallows a hook, there is a good chance it will be dead in 48 hours.

Just about hevery hook that I have cut out, the pieces usually fall out after the hook is cut. If not, a light touch with a forceps usually does it.

Tom B