Just might work! I guess I can nose hook the bait, like this.

I was thinking more along the lines of not being able to get the hook set with the 8/0?

Ohhhhhh you’re just jealous, because the fish you catch, can’t even fit an 8/0 in their mouths!

True

But if they could I wouldn’t miss them

I caught one out of a little pond today that had what looked to be a 3/0 or 4/0 worm hook down his pipe with about 5' of super thin braid tied to it. It was so deep all I could see was the eye. The line looked old and faded so idk how long it had been in there but it didn't look recent. It sure didn't stop him from smashing my lure though.

I cut the line as close to the hook as I could and let him go. He seemed fine to me.

I think if I change over to an NRX rod, Daiwa Steez reel, setting the hook before I feel the bite, and some Tatsu line I might be able to prevent that gut hook. That Tatsu line is a MUST!!! [u][/u]

That’s the kind of BS I tell my wife when I (always) spend ridicules $$$ on tackle! Now wait: the keyboard macho men will be on in a minute to tell us how they wear the pants in the family, king of their castle, answer to nobody, do whatever they want…..🙄😜

Used this method when I was guiding. A couple of docs that fished with me kept me supplied with curved forceps. They are a lot thinner than pliers and work much better.

I bought a high dollar wire cutter and cut hooks as far down the bend as possible for year but at least 20 years ago, I bought one of these:

https://www.academy.com/p/eagle-claw-lazer-tools-easy-reach-hook-remover

I have a different brand but the same principle. I can get at least 99.5 per cent of throat hooked fish loose and keep my hook. It pays for itself after about a half dozen hooks and the fish does much better. The 1/2 percent you can't get out are the ones too small to turn the hook so they are not a great loss. It is tricky to use. Several guys I showed can't get it to work. But once you master it, it is the answer.

Since I C-rig fish a lot, I’ve learned how to remove the gut hooks, nature of the beast with C-rig. Pliers through the gill plate, turn hook upside down, go back through the mouth and pop hook out. I haven’t cut a hook in a couple years. I get em back in the water quickly.

I have that same tool, just made by a different brand. I too can't get it to work even after watching countless YouTube videos. I went on a guided striper trip in July, and the guide had this same tool. We were Carolina rigging with live bait fish. We caught our limit that day in 40 fish. I'd say close to half of them swallowed the hook, but he was able to get it out every time. I should have asked him for some pointers, cause he was a literal pro at removing them!

Maybe cut back a little on the BAIT FUEL?

I have a different brand that is longer but this type of hook remover is fantastic for deep hooks.