Seems like a lot of the fish i've been catching on plastics lately have been swallowing the hook. I just use offset worm hooks. Any tips for getting the hook out safely without killing the fish?

Go through the gill, will twist out from the shank, no problem 95% of the time. Good tactic to have in your bag. Also, might want to change your line so you 'feel' the bite better & set the hook sooner!

Carefully take your needle longnose pliers and go in from the lower gills. Be gentle. grab the top of the hook near the eye and pull down and it will rotate the hook eye down. Then go back in from the mouth and grasp the hook bend and the barb should release more easily. All you are doing is rotating the hook so only the barb is holding the "meat". And then just POP it out.

Set the hook sooner, sounds like you are not feeling them bite. Maybe upgrade your rod to something that is more sensitive, although sometimes, it's inevitable. There are videos online about safely removing deep hooks, cut the line leaving a long tag end, Then run the line through the gillsplate and pull taught, basically turning the hook upside down, then grab the round part of hook with pliers and pull out. Basically not allowing the barb to do the damage. I'm sure someone will post a video showing it better than I am explaining it..

Try pressing down the barb of the hook with pliers before rigging the plastic.

Keep Coca Cola or Mountain Dew on board for bleeders. Hold em over the side & pour it down their throat. Citric acid stops most bleeders. You tube videos on that also

Ditto PondAngler... Mash barb down a little with needle nose. Pleasure fishing it doesn't REALLY matter to me if I lose some fish because of it. I'd rather see survival in my catch & release.

Here's the video from TPWD on the technique:

Good tactic to have in your bag. Also, might want to change your line so you 'feel' the bite better & set the hook sooner!

Here s the same info in 1:00, this tactic really works!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCSx4PuLEnQ

Thanks for all the info

Here's the best one made, bar none:




It will easily remove the deepest hooks with no harm to the fish.
I never go fishing without it.