How do you remove the plastic things on hooks?

[RIJIMMY]

May seem like a dumb question , but once again I have a nice new hole in my thumb. On storm jigs and numerous other lures, the hooks have this clear rubber or plastic stuff, apparantly to protect me from the sharp hooks. Everytime I go to remove them, either with pliers, my teeth, fingers, I get stabbed ! Anyone have a method that works?

[RIROCKHOUND]

Yeah dont buy the storms
HAvent found a fool proof method yet.. usually my knife....

Have you been fishing down my way RIJ?

[fishsmith]

pull and unscrew seems to work for me.

[BigFish]

Twist them in a circular motion (thus kind of reaming them out on the hook and loosening them) then just slide off!

[Steve K]

Squeeze and pull. I hate when they rip in half and then you have to start the whole process again.

[tobias]

I use the scissor on my Gerber multi-tool.

[RIJIMMY]

Looks like Im the only goober that hooks himself! It was one of salybugers plugs last night, got a nice gash in my thumb. I think Bigfish's method is worth a shot.

[BEETLE]

They are even more of a pain in the arse when it's cold. The warmer it is the more pliable they are.

[Mr. Sandman]

rip it off with pliers.

[UserRemoved1]

Do like JohnR and leave them ON

[RIROCKHOUND]

Scott.. I was going to be nice and not mention that night hee hee

[RIJIMMY]

I thought of that story last night when i was taking them off!

[DRUMCORPFAN]

i pinch the barb with the plastic on, then pull off with pliers. seems to work with little effort.

[crashfromamesbury]

keep one of those exacto pen knives so you can cut things l.. i keep one in my plug bag.. has come in handy... and they are cheap...

[Rappin Mikey]

Ask them nicely to let you off the hook.

[ThrowingTimber]

squeeze the tube and twist it off the barb.

[smee23]

I had a tough time with one yesterday, and ended up pushing the plastic piece back up the hook, inside the rubber body! Worked fine...

[Sweetwater]

Before using your pliers to remove the surgical tubing, soak the lure in some hot water, the tubing will soften and be easier to remove.

[RI Popper]

That's why we carry fillet knives

[jim24]

yeah...the teeth will work......X'CUSE ME.....use a knife......specially an
x-acto...always keep one handy...u got a buddy dentist.....give him your delta dental card.....

[Goose]

I use a blow tourch...works mint

[Bob Senior]

I cut them off with my trusty Kershaw. works fine, usually.

But don't feel bad, I stuck a hook in my thumb while cutting one off in the dark last week. Next, I'll cut my thumb off with the knife. Then I'll slip on a gooey rock, and end up in a poacher's cooler.

[S-Journey]

Damn, your supposed to take those off?

lol

[Adamfishes]

do ya think if you soaked them in hot water some of the scents might come off? I couldn't convince my friend over the weekend that you have to take the plastic off.....

[BigFish]

Try my method guys....its not brain surgery! Twist with thumb and forefinger and they simply come right off!

[srfcstrrpc]

you can just slide them over the barb and into the body. When you go to store them, you can slide them back out to cover the hook again ! Beats trying to fight getting them completely off the hook

[BigFish]

If its a fight just to get those things off a hook....then maybe brain surgery might be right up "that persons" alley!

[macojoe]

I keep for getting to take them off!

[PARTSGUY]

VERY CAREFULLY IT HURTS LIKE HECK WHEN YOU IMPLANT
A HOOK THROUGH A THUMB.THE REMOVAL HURTS MORE

[MikeTLive]

squeze with thumb and finger placed on either side of tube.
press tube towards bait releasing the barb and slide tube off hook. Same pressure like you would remove a barbed hook
from the fish - or from a snag in your plug bag!!!

Put tube in pocket for later use.

easy-pleasy