How to Remove a Fish Hook

The diagram below demonstrates just how easy it is to remove a hook. Here are some important tips that will make it easy and believe me it is easier than it looks. First have the person with the hook in their hand press down on the hook eye and toward the hook until it is tight against the skin. This is the most important step and often not done correctly as Duane demonstrates (unwillingly) in the second video below.

Notice in the diagram below that by placing the pressure toward the hook, as well as downward, causes the barb to be slanted downward. This effort will help the barb to retrace the path made by the hook's entrance in the skin.

Next, JERK HARD! Don't just give it a light tug as that will cause additional pain. Remember how it is to remove the baby teeth from children; a firm tug is better than one or more soft tugs.

 This first video shows the simple correct procedure to remove the embedded hook.

This video demonstrates that even a Rapalla hook can be removed and it also demonstrates what not to do.