Well, today I could not wait to try out my side track Scotty rod holder on my ride 115. I went to paddle point and started trolling with a hell-pet; it was a little tough to paddle with all that drag in the water so after a couple of snags I decided to try a shad colored crank bait. Almost 2 minutes into it I had a fish on. Was so excited, got the fish in the Kayak and went to retrieve my camera. After I got my camera out the fish started flapping around and guess what��� HOOK IN MY CALF. I took a picture of the fish and my impaled calf.







I remember watching a video on you tube with Chad Hoover, and he was removing a hook form his buddy�s hand. I could not get the hook off the split ring so I paddled to shore and finally got it off the ring. I then used the technique show in his video, I pulled twice before the hook finally came out and no pain at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQ9PelPqQk&feature=player_detailpage


My rod holder worked awesome and I can�t wait to go back out and this time I will remove the hooks from the fish prior to taking any pictures.

Mike

Man, that's a good one. No exit. I'm scared to try that removal technique. It's good to hear someone else tried it, and it wasn't bad. I had a 4 lb cat stick me and rip it out in one quick flop. I bled like a pig.

Yowzers! Good to hear it came out clean.

Been there done that..Glad you were able to get it out.

Get you some fish grips and a set of floating pliers.

If I am using lures with treble hooks, I never land a fish without them. I also keep the fish over the side of my kayak until I get the hooks out.

Ouch! Good advice DP

MAN!!! I hope I NEVER NEED TO DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ouch... I like that crank bait though

Bummer. Glad it turned out OK.
I have not had this happen yet.

Be careful guys because it can happen easy in our sport. With those crazy fighters it's easy to just set them down in the yak and then grab them. Those sandies don't give up and will flop around like crazy. Before you know it you've been hooked. I try to keep my legs out of the yak if I don't grab them first now. At last summers GTG I did that too but the hook came out so I was able to crush the barb and back it out. When it happened I still had a 16 sandie attached and was flopping all around. Still amazed at how far my skin could stretch. I sure enjoyed eating that sandie.

That hook removal method is pretty cool. I had to use it last fall and I didn't feel a thing. The hook was imbedded in my buddy's finger (lucky me), when I snatched the hook out he looked at me in disbelief because it was relatively painless.

I am going to get me some fish grips, long nose pliers, and also a hook removal kit to have on hand for someone else to use. (been there done that got the T-shirt) That particular crank bait that I was using has been catching fish for the last two weeks.

Mike