When I was a kid, I cast my Rooster Tail into a stand of cattails. I pulled hard to break the line, but the lure came unstuck, shot at me like a bullet and lodged the tiny treble hooks in my left calf. Later, in the waiting room of the hospital, I sat next to a guy who had a Rat-L-Trap pinned to his chest. Hooks often find their way into more than the fish. So, when a fish hook ends up in your hand or leg or chest, it pays to know how to remove it safely.
How to Remove a Fish Hook from Your Hand
Since my first hooking, I’ve witnessed and used all kinds of torturous methods for removing a hook. For the proper procedure, I dropped in on EMT Kirk Escuage. Escuage often provides first aid, including hook removal, at Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments.
1 Cut off extra hooks
Before removing the hook take a photo for social media. If you’re dealing with a treble hook, cut off the other hooks.
2 Wrap the hook
Cut a five-foot piece of the fishing line and run it around the bend of the hook. Braided line is best and heavier pound test will provide more pulling strength.
3 Let off the pressure
Have someone hold the patient’s body part. “Flinching will get you hooked, too,” Escuage warns. Wrap the line around your hand. With the other hand, hold the eye of the hook against the skin to take pressure off the barb.
4 Yank it out
Come tight on the line. Tell the patient you will count to three. When you get to two, yank the line and the hook will pop out. Wash the wound thoroughly and bandage.
Before removing the hook take a photo for social media. | Feature photo: Dustin Doskocil
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