Did I kill this fish?!?!? 2025
Prevett822 reply :
HELP
So I was just fishing, with a top water frog with Out any kind of plyers since I find really think I would catch anything. Well I did and it got hooked deep in a hard spot of muscle and I could not get it out, I ended up having to leave the frog in and revive it in the water, so I wouldn’t kill this fish. Did I just kill that fish or will it shake the frog out? it was about 3-4 pounder.
Big Rick reply :
If you couldn't force it out neither can the fish shake it out. Some think a fish produces liquids that will rust a hook in short order. There's really no way to prove that. However, the fact that there is a plastic frog wedged in this fishes mouth remains. And that will, more than likely, prevent any food from entering the bass's throat. So, yes, you probably killed the fish.....eventually...
Prevett822 reply :
I would have been able to force it out, I just had no way to get a grip on the hook, the hook was moving around freely in the hole. I just couldn’t get a good purchase on the hook to pull it out
It was a through and through puncture and the hook was sliding freely, I just couldn't get a grip and did it want to kill the fish from keeping it out
Hammer 4 reply :
So, hopefully you carry some sort of needle nose pliers in the future.
JediAmoeba reply :
Not only did you kill the fish, you littered a lure that something else may ingest.
Prevett822 reply :
I usually do, this was the first fish out of that pond in about a month, I was just out there to get some fresh air. Didn’t expect any fish
Derek1 reply :
Sometimes you can take a stick and pop it out for future reference. Pliers are about as important as the line on your reel.
Bird reply :
Well the fact that your concerned says alot about you, which is good.
I too hate to harm a game fish, love catching them.
Just carry long needle nose next time.
Shimano_1 reply :
We've all killed a fish at some point and time and its always accidental. I'm sure you've already learned ur lesson and will keep pliers from now. It sucks but it's in the past nothing you can do about it besides try and not let it happen again. U did what u felt was right in the moment. Seems hypocritical for anyone to throw shade on it unless said personcan say they've never made a bad decision. No one knows either if the fish will live or not.
Sweet Tater Pie reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 6:39 AM, Shimano_1 said:We've all killed a fish at some point and time and its always accidental. I'm sure you've already learned ur lesson and will keep pliers from now. It sucks but it's in the past nothing you can do about it besides try and not let it happen again. U did what u felt was right in the moment. Seems hypocritical for anyone to throw shade on it unless said personcan say they've never made a bad decision. No one knows either if the fish will live or not.
What he said
Big Rick reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 6:39 AM, Shimano_1 said:Seems hypocritical for anyone to throw shade on it unless said personcan say they've never made a bad decision.
Nobody so far has "thrown shade".. Dude started a thread asking for HELP about a situation that can receive no help at this point. He asked for opinions thus opening himself up to scrutiny and even criticism. That's the nature of a forum. If we all affirm one another at every turn what's the point of even having a forum?
The Bassman reply :
I carry a cheap pair of hemostats. I personally find them easier to use without the locks so I cut them off.
Glaucus reply :
There's never a reason to leave a frog in the throat. It's not that hard to get out, but when it does get a little challenging, almost anything around you can dislodge it with a little force. That's a real shame.
TnRiver46 reply :
You’d be surprised what they can survive. @A-Jay caught one with like 4 Texas rigs stuck in its mouth not too long ago. It might have lived it might have died, you never know. I just eat them!
SeaCrow reply :
I had a frog in my throat once..dislodged it with a Bud lite..
Shimano_1 reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 7:35 AM, Big Rick said:Nobody so far has "thrown shade".. Dude started a thread asking for HELP about a situation that can receive no help at this point. He asked for opinions thus opening himself up to scrutiny and even criticism. That's the nature of a forum. If we all affirm one another at every turn what's the point of even having a forum?
All this is true. As is what I said. Does anyone have any proof of whether its gonna die or not? No...so why criticize someone? I assume he feels bad about it or wouldn't have put it on here to start with. I personally don't see the need to pour salt in the wound. Seems plenty have already done that. If you don't agree that's fine...as you stated that's the nature of a forum...right?
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
It might or might not, but if you eat them at least it’s served some purpose.
jbsoonerfan reply :
Dead........maybe not though
SeaCrow reply :
If the fish does die, I'm sure some creature will eat it. It won't go to waste.
Wizzlebiz reply :
I hate the taste of fish. But I have created a rule for myself. If I cant get a hook out I will eat that fish. Very simple and also very effective.
I have gotten every hook out that I have set due to this rule.
I dont know that this helps you but any additional motivation is good motivation imo.
A-Jay reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 8:16 AM, TnRiver46 said:You’d be surprised what they can survive. @A-Jay caught one with like 4 Texas rigs stuck in its mouth not too long ago. It might have lived it might have died, you never know. I just eat them!
Yea- ~ That was one of the more crazy deals I've seen in a while.
A-Jay
Grim_Reaver reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 4:47 AM, Prevett822 said:HELP
So I was just fishing, with a top water frog with Out any kind of plyers since I find really think I would catch anything. Well I did and it got hooked deep in a hard spot of muscle and I could not get it out, I ended up having to leave the frog in and revive it in the water, so I wouldn’t kill this fish. Did I just kill that fish or will it shake the frog out? it was about 3-4 pounder.
Imo you did the best you could and yes the fish will probably die. For future reference, fish can survive being out of the water for a little bit. Better to take your time and work the hook out. Might take a little longer to revive them but that's just the nature of the beast.
schplurg reply :
If you're very careful you may be able reach in through the gills on a fish that size, either with fingers or pliers. I've seen Roland Martin show how to do this on his Youtube channel.
greentrout reply :
not necessarily ... studies have been done showing the bass is fully capable of expelling hooks and lures ...
and go on to live ... not always but sometimes ... a good pct. ...
it's all on google if you want to take the time to look it up ...
good fishing ...
TnRiver46 reply :
On 9/18/2019 at 10:26 AM, Wizzlebiz said:I hate the taste of fish. But I have created a rule for myself. If I cant get a hook out I will eat that fish. Very simple and also very effective.
I have gotten every hook out that I have set due to this rule.
I dont know that this helps you but any additional motivation is good motivation imo.
The only problem is when they are under the legal length limit, in which case you have to release a dead fish
J Francho reply :
Turtles like the taste of fish.
haggard reply :
I know this isn't really what you asked but just FYI in case it's useful. Sorry if off topic. For gut hook removal I find this works really well and fast (after a few tries learning):
Tools:
- 6-in diagonal cutters
- 6-in needle nose pliers
- 8-in forcepts (straight)
Process:
- immediately cut hook halfway down using diag cutters. This quickly clears everything upstream (line, lure, bullet weight, etc.) and gives you room to work
- go in through lowest (or next to lowest) gill opening on whichever side of the fish the remainder of the hook is closest to
- for barbless hooks, using forceps grab the hook closest to where it disappears and rotate it back out. Before going in, it may help to "pre rotate" your wrist/forceps in the opposite direction so you have room to rotate the hook. Hook should come out easily. When it's free, go back in through the mouth and remove it with the forceps.
- barbed hooks: haven't done this with barbed... process might be different.
All I use the needle nose for now is to pull out a hook when I don't have enough leverage with my fingers, and to crush barbs.
the reel ess reply :
I caught a bass once that had an offset shank (T-rig) hook in the roof of its mouth half rusted out. Most likely, someone broke off setting the hook. It was healthy and still eating. I kept and ate it though. It might be harsh, but I'd kill that fish to get my frog back unless it was some kind of trophy already. In that case, you could probably get your fingers to it. Killing an occasional fish is unavoidable if you routinely stick them in the mouth with sharp objects. Just remember the pliers next time.
Yeajray231 reply :
3-4 lb largemouth is usually between 18-21" . With a nice mouth on it. You should have got the hook out. I never take no for an answer.
I have never left a hook in a bass's mouth, ever. Unless you have hands like Shaquille oneal you could have got your hand on that frog. If the bass was as big as you said it was.
Tough love from me. I'd have tore it out at all costs and then tried to revive it. If it dies then I'd take it with me but I'll be (you know what) before I leave a nice bass with a frog in it's mouth.
Pickle_Power reply :
I agree that I think you could have gotten the bait out with more effort. But, no big deal, its just one fish, and we're all in the business of killing fish, inadvertently or not.
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