Snell lengths

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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My common sense tells me that a walleye with a hook “buried” in its gullet is a soon-to-be-dead walleye, even if its gills are not torn. This fish is going to starve to death. My experience confirms this… I’ve never caught a walleye with a hook in his gullet; I’ve never heard of anyone else catching a walleye with a hook in its gullet. How about you?

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Well, I've caught fish that have hooks in them. On Mille Lacs in late June we boated two walleyes (both mid 20's) on the same trip that had small livebait hooks caught in their throats, with the line clipped even with the fish's lips. And in Canada on 2 or 3 occasions we've broke a line jig fishing, only to catch the walleye with our jig in its mouth a short time later. And many years ago ice fishing, I caught a small pike that had an open-water bass jig in its mouth. All those fish seemed to be fine and still eating.

I think the argument you're trying to make about longer snell lengths equalling higher hooking mortality is pretty weak. I think live bait rigging is the highest cause of hooking mortality in walleyes, I don't think leader length has much to do with it. I think a lot of riggers give the fish much more time than they need to, which of course results in a deeply hooked fish.

[Team Otter]

If and when the line is cut on a hook that is swallowed, what is the typical time frame for that same hook dissolving and/or breaking down?

[Jim Hudson]

I've personally caught and re-released quite a few fish that have had hooks in them.. From the gullet, to their mouths, to coming out of their rear end. Species ranging from bass to walleyes. Fish are suvivors and if there is a way, they will get rid of what is ailing them. Sure, some will die.. But I believe some will make it as well..

For the gullet deal, I think if at all possible, if the barb and hook is exposed, is to clip it with a side cutters. But if your not able to, try to cut the line as close to the hook eye as possible.

One thing in todays world, with new hooks on the market, they do no dissolve like hooks of yesteryear. So trying to help the fish out as much as possible is their best chance. But in either case, some make it, some wont..

[bigbucks]

I've caught plenty of walleyes & other species with hooks or lures caught in them from the throat on down. Don't know if they were going to die & still wanted to eat or what, but they sure looked & acted healthy to me.