Question about catch and release?

Question

What do you do when a fish swallows the hook and it is so far in the stomach that you cannot see the hook? Do you kill the fish and dispose of it in the garbage?

If someone sees a fish in a garbage, is there a fine for that? Cause you can't just put it back with a hook in it's stomach

Answer 1

If you know someone that can teach you how to use a hook removal tool (I forgot the exact name for them) you can ask them to teach you.Otherwise the answers above are correct.

Me and my son fish for bullhead and bluegill a lot.We are strictly catch and release and at first we had problems some time with the barb on the ones that were deep hooked,or even sometimes too close to the eye.Since then when we go I've crimped down the barbs.At first I thought we might lose a bunch of fish but I'd say I maybe lose one out of every 75 or so cuz of no barb.There's also a better chance it will just spit it out or fall out on it's own if it swallows it completely.Just something else to keep in mind.

Answer 2

fish will survive most hook wounds quite well if they can find somewhere to hide, but if the hook has been in the gills, or as you said in the gut then it wont survive and we can only assume that dying slowly is as unpleasant for a fish as for any other animal so kill it quickly and humanely and then remove the hook and throw it the fish into the water it will be part of the food chain, and it is good that you care

Answer 3

I always will cut the line if it is impossible to get the hook. Unless I am going to use the fish for bait..which happens very rarely. Most hooks will dissolve in a fishes stomach and depending on the fish and size of the hook wont be too much of an issue..a catfish for example..is a tough fish. It would be fine with a hook in it.

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Answer 4

The fish in question is to be placed back into the same body of water it was caught in.

This holds true irregardless of the physical condition.  Of the fish.

Answer 5

If you are not going to eat the fish you can cut the line as close to the hook as you can get. The hook will rust out in a few days. Over the years I have caught a few fish that have been hooked in the stomach and the hooks were rusting away to the point that I could reach in with needle nose pliers and remove what was left of the hooks and release the fish.  

Answer 6

Cut the line as close to the hook as you can.I have no idea if there is a fine but I wouldn't think so.If a fish goes bad you have to throw it out.

Answer 7

Actually Fish have these enzymes in their body that will break down the hook and they should be okay.  So you can release the fish with the hook.

Answer 8

this is the number one and only reason stainless hooks should be outlawed. Bronze hooks in saltwater last only 11 days in a fish in fresh water about three times that but stainless lasts in saltwater for months please if you fish and you value catch and release tell your congressman to get the stainless hooks and lead weights outlawed

Answer 9

the answers above me are pretty much correct. Fish are a lot more resilient than most people think. The hook in the stomach will just be a source of irritation for them for a few weeks but eventually it will be broken down. NEVER try to remove a hook from the soft pallet behind the throat. You can tear the skin and really cause the fish damage. I have caught many fish with hooks lodged in their stomachs and they seem to be very healthy and active fish. Just be sure that you leave as little line as possible.

Answer 10

Try to avoid hooking a fish deep by setting the hook sooner.  You can easily remove the hook from a lip hooked fish and release it.  If you have trouble getting a good hook set, try a quick strike rig.