"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
I made the mistake of landing a 17 pound pike once by the gills - tore my
fingers to shreds! I sure as h-ll wasn't lipping that creature...

You stuck your fingers in too far and either got caught by the gill rakers
or if waaay too far, the teeth in the back of the mouth.

Practice makes perfect, now you just have to do it a couple thousand more
times and you'll have caught up to me.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com