Lodge a circle hook deep in a fish......????
Because I did it last night and felt terrible about it. I switch to circle hooks knowing that I would probably lose a bunch of fish at first but at least I wont be killing any of them by deep hooking.
Last night instead of trying to get it out I just snipped the line. I dont think hes is going to make it though. I couldnt even see the hook.

Am I doing something wrong? Last year not one deep hook and this year 3 already.... 2 before I switched to circle hooks. :mad:

It will happen once in a while, I've had only one gut hooked fish out of several I've caught since switching to circles. You probably did the only thing you could by cutting the line, it happens.

Hooks rust out fast in constant salt water.

You're probably using an offset (kirbed) circle, which are not much better than J hooks for gut hooking fish according to available research.

What I know is that it melts on the salt water for a period of time. I've been there before switching to circle hooks this thing happens and you can't stop it.

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

Poor Fishey, I echo what "Striperknight" Said

Hope so, only caught two last night and the first one lost an eye at some point in his short life and the second I gut hooked. They need to grow up so I wont feel so bad next time ;)

If you gut hook any fish, the best thing to do is cut the leader as close to the fishes mouth as possible, he will then be able to eat and the hook will rust out and the mono will pass thru his anas. I have caught several fish over the past couple of years that were gut hooked by someone or broke off and the leader was coming thru his anas. The fish were all strong and healthy fish. Best way to do it if you are gonna throw the fish back. The more you dig at a hook to try and get it out of the fish the more chance he is not gonna survive.

You could make a hook disgorger out of a stick and disgorge the hook before you release it.

problem is sometimes you mortally wound the fish and no matter what you do the fish isnt going to bounce back from that.

i wouldn't loose any sleep over it, dude.

you are doing the best you can.