Problem...
 

Yesterday I caught a 4lb bass. The problem is, while the lure was sinking I
got a strike but I didn't feel it. It was about 95 here in Mass and the fish
were very inactive. Bet you could guess what happened next... gut hooked. I
tried to remove the hook but it was too embedded. I didn't have cutters
strong enough to cut the hook (which I plan on bringing next time), so I
had to let him go with the hook still in.

I keep hearing conflicting reports on what to do. Should I cut the hook as
far down his stomach as I can and let him go, or leave the hook alone and
leave 18 inches of line as a leader....

Does anyone have the definitive answer yet...

I hate when this happens...

I never go on the lake without it.
http://www.dbarb.com/



"Hugh Jorgen" wrote in message
...
Yesterday I caught a 4lb bass. The problem is, while the lure was sinking
I got a strike but I didn't feel it. It was about 95 here in Mass and the
fish were very inactive. Bet you could guess what happened next... gut
hooked. I tried to remove the hook but it was too embedded. I didn't have
cutters strong enough to cut the hook (which I plan on bringing next
time), so I had to let him go with the hook still in.

I keep hearing conflicting reports on what to do. Should I cut the hook as
far down his stomach as I can and let him go, or leave the hook alone and
leave 18 inches of line as a leader....

Does anyone have the definitive answer yet...

I hate when this happens...

"Hugh Jorgen" wrote in message
...
Yesterday I caught a 4lb bass. The problem is, while the lure was sinking
I got a strike but I didn't feel it. It was about 95 here in Mass and the
fish were very inactive. Bet you could guess what happened next... gut
hooked. I tried to remove the hook but it was too embedded. I didn't have
cutters strong enough to cut the hook (which I plan on bringing next
time), so I had to let him go with the hook still in.

I keep hearing conflicting reports on what to do. Should I cut the hook as
far down his stomach as I can and let him go, or leave the hook alone and
leave 18 inches of line as a leader....

Does anyone have the definitive answer yet...

I hate when this happens...

I hate it when that happens too. There are things that you can do to reduce
the problem. First of all, a good sensitive rod will help you detect this
light strikes. Low stretch or no stretch lines will transmit the signals of
a light strike better as well. Watch the line as the lure is sinking, any
twitches, jumps, bumps or out of the ordinary appearances might mean a bass
grabbed the lure on the drop.

Even then, sometimes you're still not going to be able to avoid gut hooked
fish. Follow this link to the most definitive article on deeply hooked fish
that I've read.

http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com/modu... der=0&thold=0

--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com