fishtale wrote:
I was experimenting in removing hooks from fish. In the case of a wide
gap hook the hook is entered in a unusual angle. I found that if you
press on the eye with your thumb and use the index to press down on the
cuve of the hook the hook will pop 60% of the time. The barb clears
through the entry point. Failing that i'll use pliers with the same
strategy.

I don't use barbs anymore so I don't need pliers. Anyone else not use
barbs?

I lose some fish here and there but I feel it makes it more "fair" and
hook removal is simple and fast 100% of the time. Makes hook removal
from my hand easy too.