Conservation minded hooks.....advice please.

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#1 Post by **petekd** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:59 am

I use for 90% of my fishing Kamasan B940s in varying sizes, a super hook. Problem is that I appear to be able to reuse rigs for months with no noticeable deterioration of the hooks themselves.

I have caught fish in the past with hooks from other anglers in them, they were still feeding so it didnt seem to unduly bother them, certainly not as much as operating on a fish just to get your hook back. If I have a deep hooked fish that I want to return, LSDs, Flounder, small Codling etc, I cut as far down the shank as possible with a pair of wire cutters.

Now, I know that someone is probably going to start telling me to strike earlier, this I know.... Its for those occasions where a flounder has sat on your bait for ten minutes busy swallowing everything as far down as it can or a greedy little codling has gulped a 2/0 pennel rigged lug and squid wrap down. Advice appreciated, particularly a SPECIFIC brand of hook that would deteriorate fairly quickly when submerged in saltwater. I know this is going to lead to a plethora of retying when reusing rigs but the cod and flounder bashing season is only around the corner down here.

#2 Post by **MAC** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:05 pm

Hi Pete,

I am looking at getting myself some of these hooks[url=http://www.harrissportsmail.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11988]Owners[/url] for just this reason. I have used the heavier version which are excellent, I just want some lighter wire hooks. I am not sure how quickly they will degrade in salt water but I have found that you are less likely to suffer deep hooking with them. I have not used any big baits with these hooks yet so I'm not sure how they will take larger baits.

Kev

#3 Post by **m.b3** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:50 pm

pete you should learn how to 'go in through the gill' with flounder using a forceps. u will notice that flounder get hook in almost the same place every time. forceps into gill, nip the shank and turn hook. shank will then piont out through the gill. u can then push the hook forward and out its mouth.

i'll try and find a better way to describe it and get it up on the 'conservation' forum. everyone should know how to do this.

going in through the gill means you can get the hook out of them 99.9% of the time with causing any damage.

get a gemini disgorger for dogs- works a treat.

the above is just a long-winded way of sayin i can't think of a good hook for you!! but it works.

#4 Post by **petekd** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:42 pm

The Gemini disgorger? Is that the thing thats kind of like a t-bar affair?

yeaqh thats the one alright. great little thing! helps to avoid doggy puke too!!

Small codling are the worst of the lot though

not much you can do really. similar to pin whiting- by the time you drag them in either from distance or up from depths they are usually gonners. best not to fish for them if at all possible. to avoid the smaller codling you could try whole squid baits. little lads don't seem to keen on em. stuff the squid with scented baits and wait for the big nod nod!

#5 Post by **stevecrow74** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:29 pm

for those who will be going to the N v's S meet will se me using a handy little tool for un hooking flounder (works with nearly all fish except doggies and conger)

basically it was a bait needle.. but i put a U bend in it out of the top inch...

that gets pushed up by the gills and out the mouth.wrap the snook of the offending hook around it and pull it (the line) through until the hook's eye is facing out the gill cover, hold the line and put the tool into the mouth and catch the hook, while holding the line pull the hook out (holding line stops the eye from damaging the gills) and there you go.. one unhooked flattie ready to be released and everyone is very happy :lol: :lol:

this works very well with pollock codling whiting..... etc etc..
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

as for hook thet deteriates quickly... kamasan black aberdeens are by far the quickest... 3-4 days in salt water and there's not much left..

teacher · #6 Post by **teacher** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:09 pm

stevecrow74 wrote:for those who will be going to the N v's S meet will se me using a handy little tool for un hooking flounder

Being a bit presumptuous there steve? :lol:

#7 Post by **petekd** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:41 pm

Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post
The Gemini disgorger? Is that the thing thats kind of like a t-bar affair?

yeaqh thats the one alright. great little thing! helps to avoid doggy puke too!!

Small codling are the worst of the lot though

not much you can do really. similar to pin whiting- by the time you drag them in either from distance or up from depths they are usually gonners. best not to fish for them if at all possible. to avoid the smaller codling you could try whole squid baits. little lads don't seem to keen on em. stuff the squid with scented baits and wait for the big nod nod!
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#8 Post by **m.b3** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:29 pm

petekd wrote:The Gemini disgorger? Is that the thing thats kind of like a t-bar affair?

yeaqh thats the one alright. great little thing! helps to avoid doggy puke too!!

Small codling are the worst of the lot though

not much you can do really. similar to pin whiting- by the time you drag them in either from distance or up from depths they are usually gonners. best not to fish for them if at all possible. to avoid the smaller codling you could try whole squid baits. little lads don't seem to keen on em. stuff the squid with scented baits and wait for the big nod nod!

sorry Pete i hit edit instead of quote again. appologies

#9 Post by **stevecrow74** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:48 pm

teacher wrote:
stevecrow74 wrote:for those who will be going to the N v's S meet will se me using a handy little tool for un hooking flounder

Being a bit presumptuous there steve? :lol:

i might not be good at catching bass.. but flatties is something i do know about... :lol: :lol: :lol:

#10 Post by **Adam S** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:31 am

hi lads

i read a bit of american research a while ago, but i cant seem to find it now. that suggested that it was safer to use stainless steel hooks that will not break down as opposed to hooks that rust away quickly.

the researchers found a higher survival rate in fish that we left with a stainless hook in them (some died due to obstruction) but in most where the hook was not blocking the digestive tract (single hooks only obviously) the fish survived . the vast majority hooked with quick corrode hooks died within days and toxicology showed a high number of metals and other toxins in the blood from the degrading hooks, in short the quick break down hooks killed them by blood poisoning

really made me think. so i try to safely disgorge as often as i possible can now.

#11 Post by **stevecrow74** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:35 am

oh... didn't know that now...

mind you its very rare i leave a hook behind, and if i have to and the fish is big enough it ends up being dinner...

#12 Post by **petekd** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:47 am

Thats interesting Adam, I hadnt heard that before to be honest but it makes total sense I suppose. On saying that, I have on numerous occasions caught Dogfish in particular with the remnants of a rusty hook peeping out of there gob. (man were they unfortunate!) I suppose though, LSDs are pretty tough fish all the same, same couldnt really be said for a lot of others who might suffer more.

Just wondering though, if using a stainless steel hook and having to leave it in a fish, do these eventually work there way out? I mean if its in such a tight spot you couldnt get it in the first place with fingers, forceps, pliers etc, what chance the fish ridding itself of it? Disgorging is the only way to go I suppose and dont be leaving hooks in fish in the first place. Must try those circle hooks and see how they work on the codling.