Two Methods of
Fish Hook Removal

You really need to know about fish hook removal, as it’s very easy to get a hook embedded in your finger, even if there’s no fish involved.

But if it's deeply embedded, you're unlikely to be able to remove it on your own - you'll need help.

So these methods are for removing a hook either from someone else's flesh, or having them get one out of yours.

If it's the latter, be brave ...

The risk of needing either of these fish hook removal methods is much reduced by protecting the hook points whenever it’s practical ...

• Use corks or polystyrene foam for single and double hooks, and proprietary plastic protectors for small treble hooks.


• Alternatively a short piece of plastic tube can be pushed over the point and barb.

Don’t try to remove a lure from a large fish before it’s properly subdued, and even then use long-handled pliers or a proprietary hook extractor designed for the purpose. If, despite these precautions, you or a fellow angler is unlucky enough to get impaled on a hook, one of the following fish hook removal methods will get it out:~

The ‘Push and Cut’ Method

First, clean around the point of entry with antiseptic ointment. If the hook has gone in in such a way that the point is close to the skin, you should consider the ‘push and cut’ method:~

1. Push the hook through so that the point and the barb exit the skin


2. Cut off the point below the barb with a pair of pliers


3. Withdraw the hook in the direction from whence it came

The ‘Snatch’ Method

A disadvantage of the ‘Push and Cut’ method is that it’s quite painful and creates a further wound. A less painful alternative, and the one to use where the hook point has not gone in so far is the ‘snatch method’:~

1. Loop a length of line of not less than 20lb breaking strain around the bend of the hook.


2. Get a firm grip on the line, by wrapping it around your hand


3. With your other hand, press the eye of the hook down towards the surface of the skin and back toward the hook's bend, as if trying to back the hook out along the path of entry. This will disengage the barb from the flesh, and align the embedded part for removal


4. While pressing on the hook eye, give the line a short, sharp pull parallel to the skin and in line with the hook, to snap the hook back out of the wound.

Whichever method you use, always wash the wound thoroughly, apply antiseptic ointment and a simple dressing.

Check that your tetanus shots are up to date, and if not, attend to it at the earliest opportunity.

Be particularly careful when removing a multi-hooked lure ...

I met a French sailboat skipper in Martinique who, while attempting to remove a treble hook from his crew’s hand, managed to impale his own finger on a second treble on the same lure. Being in mid-Atlantic at the time, the prospect of sharing each other's intimate moments for 1,500 miles was a depressing prospect.

Next time, he told me, he would either remove, cut off the points, or tape up all other hooks before attempting first aid. Good advice!

And one final piece of advice ...

Always wear some form of eye protection - spectacles or sunglasses at least - when using the snatch method.