This topic began as another post on another board. The subject being started by someone catching a bass that had the hook left deep in the bass' throat with about 18" of line attached and sticking out its mouth. I posted that this was actually recommended protocol and the response has made me realize how many people have yet to hear of this.
The original article detailing this was written by Ralph Mann's and can be found at several websites on the Net. One such occurrence is over at Bassdozer's website. The article is entitled "Hooks In or Out?" and can be found at the link. Another file that touches on this research is "Catch and Release: Living to Fight Again" written by Jerald Horst and courtesy of Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU Ag Center. Finally from Doug Stange and In-Fisherman, this good piece entitled "Through-the-Gill Hook Removal".
Ever thought of going barbless? Here's an experiment for you. I had a nice bass swallow a worm and was subsequesntly hooked in the esophagus. I pinched down the barb and backed the hook out easily, with virtually no bleeding.
I went on to fish that hook and caught several more bass, without noticing the hook as barbless.
Might not work too well with hardbaits (??) but with the large single hook used with soft plastics, and the potential for damage to fish, barbless might be the way to go.
Posted by: Paul Roberts | May 25, 2007 at 08:38 AM