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Safe Fish Release
by Pete Rosko for The Mack Attack, July 24, 2015
There are distinct advantages to the open shank double hook on the SBF including quick hook changes and increased hook-ups. As with any open shank double, or treble hooks, it is extremely important not to open the tight contact between the shanks.
When releasing fish, especially hooked on a double hook, both hooks must be engaged at the same time to prevent damage to the hook, especially its shank-to-shank contact! At times, this may be difficult with a thrashing fish. Almost always, pliers are a poor choice for releasing fish from a double hook. For an extremely quick fish release, without any damage to the hook and fish alike, the bends of both hooks must be simultaneously engaged. Pliers are useless in this regard! The beauty in the solution is both simple and inexpensive. Refer to the “solution” in the photo…the double hook, attached to the Sonic BaitFish, released over 50 rockfish that day and the double hook’s shanks were never compromised. Attached to both hooks is my de-hooker that I created over 18 years ago to release chinook salmon from single hooks.
To date, it has released salmon up to 45 pounds and can release fish that are larger. This tool was intended as an emergency fish releaser until I got around to upgrading to something that was more esthetically pleasing. The upgrade apparently never occurred since I also now use it as my most important device for releasing fish from double hooks. It’s ugly but its results are beautiful. This will also work for an open shank treble hook. Once tried, you will see the beauty in this concept. As the de-hooker simultaneously applies tension to both hooks, in the process of releasing a fish, the shanks are forced against each other to maintain absolute tightness. Unlike with pliers, the shanks are never pulled away from each other.
There are different ways to assemble a very functional dehooker on the cheap. A cup hook screwed into the end of a wooden dowel will work. However, I still like my 18 year old concept that is equipped with a 3/0 stainless steel siwash style hook attached to a square wood handle. These are my reasons:
1)The narrower diameter siwash hook has a wide bend and deep throat. It offers unbeatable access to engaging both hook bends simultaneously. Very hard to beat as a de-hooking tool, especially after the hook point is rounded off. 2) Its stainless steel hook prevents rusting. 3) Its square handle provides a better grip than the rounded dowel. Also, it offers a square base for attaching an anchoring stainless steel screw through its hook eye. 4) Best of all the fish is never touched prior to its release.
Pete (Capt. Pete Rosko)
