I'm curious about how a fish handles a hook that is left in due to the line being cut. I know this happens for various reasons. Recently for me I had to cut my line on a 29in red because the hook was stuck way down its throat. I could see it but trying to take it out would've torn the fish up. I've always heard that its always best to cut the line then force the hook out but wouldn't the hook already have caused just as much damage during the fight to land it? Will the hook eventually dissolve or does the fish just adapt to having it?

I've read, or heard, that the fish has some type of enzyme that will rust the hook out several days later.

I've caught really healthy looking fish at Fork that had partial hooks in their mouths. They were still eating, even with the hook attatched.

When I get a deep hooked fish, I cut the line and hope for the best for the fish.

-Alton

I have caught fish with rusty hooks hanging out their butts than never did the magic disolving act so I learned a way to get those deep hooks out. Here is a link. It is easy to do and the gills are not as fragile as most fishermen think.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if2806_HookRemoval/index.html

Good link.

I've heard of that technique, but never knew how to do it. Good link. I'll try that next time i get a deep hook set.

Thanks

I have gone up under the gill for sandies a lot.

One thing for sure...if you keep it, that fish is finished forever. If you release it, then there is a chance, possibly a good one, that the fish will survive and the hook will come out, rust out or whatever.

I have always felt bad cutting my line & leaving the hook buried deep in the fishes throat, but I have read that the hook will rust out in time . I do have to wonder if I am condemning the fish to a slow death. Maybe the answer is sometimes yes & sometimes no.
Roger

Learn that proceedure and the answer is no you are not condeming it to a slow death. Once you roll the bait around all that is hooked is the barb. It comes out easily and the fish is relatively unharmed except for one small hole.

I have always thought that as well...that the stomach enzymes would dissolve the hook. But caught a real good fish on Baccarac and saw that it was set to pass all the way through him. Guess I helped her out a bit with the process.

I've caught PLENTY of fish and decent size fish that have had rusted hooks in their mouth. Still eating still living to me. I would always kill the fish trying to get out a swallowed hook out. I'll give this technique a try next time.

Is it the enzymes or the hook naturally rusting out? So the next question would be the correct type of hook to use?