Fish fate after breakoffs 2025

tentimesover reply :

I've had a run of breakoffs recently after hooking fish. It's probably my fault due to bad habits on retieing, bad knots, etc. I lost my favorite Devils Horse yesterday to a bass that I didn't even get close to the boat. I wonder what the fate of that fish will be? That lure has three sets of treble hooks and generally hooks them up real good.

After losing the Devils Horse in the morning I caught a 3 1/4 pounder in the afternoon on a spinner bait. As I was extracting the hook I found another hook deep in it's mouth near its gullet. It had broken off just above the knot that was still tied to the hook eye.

What happens to fish after breaking off with a lure? Do they typically shake the lure after some time? Do many end up dieing?

D4u2s0t reply :

I also took a hook out of a fish last week. Seemed to be doing fine, and seemed like it was in there for a while since the hook was starting to rust. With a few treble hooks I doubt the fish will shake it out, but you never know. Best bet like you said is to get better at knots, and if you find yourself breaking line, you need to ease up on the drag.

Surgin reply :

True story here.

I once caught a bass and as I'm taking the hook out, I happened to notice something protruding from its, well, butt. It was a hook. The long part where the eye would be was sticking out if its butt. The eye had rusted away. I gently removed what was left of the hook. Yes, it was still curved, the sharp point and barb were gone. I'm not sure how long it would have taken for it to completely come loose. I had to rotate it around to get it out.

I thought to myself with a chuckle, man that fish must have been so happy I took that hook out. Must of been like aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Finally. Thanks so much. It swam away much happier I presume.

jigsey42 reply :

WOW surgin ... you are truly a special man. I'm sure that bas remembered you at the collection box the next day.. Talk about a pain in the a*( :-[

coontreer reply :

Quote
As I was extracting the hook I found another hook deep in it's mouth near its gullet. It had broken off just above the knot that was still tied to the hook eye.

In that case it probably wasnt broken off. Anytime a fish swallows your bait, you should cut the line above the eye, and remove whatever plastic you were fishing. The hook will eventually rust and the Bass will be able to digest the hook.

J Francho reply :

Quote

Quote
As I was extracting the hook I found another hook deep in it's mouth near its gullet. It had broken off just above the knot that was still tied to the hook eye.

In that case it probably wasnt broken off. Anytime a fish swallows your bait, you should cut the line above the eye, and remove whatever plastic you were fishing. The hook will eventually rust and the Bass will be able to digest the hook.

This is totally false. Next time you are at the lake, scoop up some lake water in a jar, and put a hook in it. Report back when its rusted away. Better yet, eat one, and let us know how that works out.

I know I sound sarcastic, but you really need to remove the hooks. last year, I came across several fish with the same type of EWG lodged in their craw. They were emaciated, yet hit lures with great ferocity, suggesting that they were willing to eat, but could not swallow the food.

The hooks were probably there for weeks, probably left by a Senko rookie. I removed them using this method:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

Get the hooks out, otherwise that fish is doomed.

BigMoneyGrip reply :

I always heard that acidity of the fish's mouth would help the hook to rust away faster than normal. Kinda makes sense to me.

Scott.

Catt reply :

Ya know come to think of it I've caught bass with worm hooks in their mouth but I have never caught one with a plug or spinner bait in their mouth. HUH!

cabullwinkle reply :

Do what JFrancho just said. I really agree that pulling the hook out is the best thing to do.

Just remember to bring your dang pliers!!!!

coontreer reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
As I was extracting the hook I found another hook deep in it's mouth near its gullet. It had broken off just above the knot that was still tied to the hook eye.

In that case it probably wasnt broken off. Anytime a fish swallows your bait, you should cut the line above the eye, and remove whatever plastic you were fishing. The hook will eventually rust and the Bass will be able to digest the hook.

This is totally false. Next time you are at the lake, scoop up some lake water in a jar, and put a hook in it. Report back when its rusted away. Better yet, eat one, and let us know how that works out.

I know I sound sarcastic, but you really need to remove the hooks. last year, I came across several fish with the same type of EWG lodged in their craw. They were emaciated, yet hit lures with great ferocity, suggesting that they were willing to eat, but could not swallow the food.

The hooks were probably there for weeks, probably left by a Senko rookie. I removed them using this method:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

Get the hooks out, otherwise that fish is doomed.

I disagree with that. As the poster above said he removed a rusted hook from the butt of a fish. Thats what I believe will happen if I cut my line.

coontreer reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote
As I was extracting the hook I found another hook deep in it's mouth near its gullet. It had broken off just above the knot that was still tied to the hook eye.

In that case it probably wasnt broken off. Anytime a fish swallows your bait, you should cut the line above the eye, and remove whatever plastic you were fishing. The hook will eventually rust and the Bass will be able to digest the hook.

This is totally false. Next time you are at the lake, scoop up some lake water in a jar, and put a hook in it. Report back when its rusted away. Better yet, eat one, and let us know how that works out.

I know I sound sarcastic, but you really need to remove the hooks. last year, I came across several fish with the same type of EWG lodged in their craw. They were emaciated, yet hit lures with great ferocity, suggesting that they were willing to eat, but could not swallow the food.

The hooks were probably there for weeks, probably left by a Senko rookie. I removed them using this method:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

Get the hooks out, otherwise that fish is doomed.

I disagree with that. As the poster above said he removed a rusted hook from the butt of a fish. Thats what I believe will happen if I cut my line.

Let me say though if you can get the hook out without ripping out the fishes guts, by all means do it. That is no doubt the best bet for the survival of the fish. Sometimes its just not possible, in which case I think it should be cut.

Thad reply :

Quote
True story here.
I once caught a bass and as I'm taking the hook out, I happened to notice something protruding from its, well, butt. It was a hook. The long part where the eye would be was sticking out if its butt. The eye had rusted away. I gently removed what was left of the hook. Yes, it was still curved, the sharp point and barb were gone. I'm not sure how long it would have taken for it to completely come loose. I had to rotate it around to get it out.

I thought to myself with a chuckle, man that fish must have been so happy I took that hook out. Must of been like aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Finally. Thanks so much. It swam away much happier I presume.

Just a couple nights ago i had something similar happen. I caught a smallmouth and as I was about to let it go I saw a piece of fishing line hanging out its rear end. I gave a little tug on it and tried to pull it out but I guess the hook was still inside the fish attached to the line. It wouldn't come out at all.

J Francho reply :

Do you really think that hook passed through the fish's digestive tract, only to be lodged in its vent? Have you ever filleted a fish, and seen its digestive tract? The fish was probably foul hooked in the butt.

GET THE HOOKS OUT. Period. Its not opinion, its fact. Seriously. The procedure linked above is a simple one, and should be carried out on any deeply hooked bass.

tyrius. reply :

Quote
I always heard that acidity of the fish's mouth would help the hook to rust away faster than normal. Kinda makes sense to me.
Scott.

Why would a fish's mouth have acid in it? Acid is diluted by water and the fish is constantly completely surrounded by water which would dilute any acid in a fish's mouth. There may be acid in the stomach, but not the mouth.

If the fish swallows the hook then use the technique the J Francho posted. The rusting away theory is decades old and not applicable to today's steel hooks. They simply do not rust in any meaningful time frame.

Also, rusted hook posted earlier was either foul hooked as J Francho said or partially passed and subjected to digestion which would have started the breakdown of the hook. Also, you really have no idea how long it was there and how it affected that fish.

In summary follow the link J Francho provided and you should be able to remove each and every gut hook. the fish will be MUCH better offf if you do.

tyrius. reply :

Quote
Ya know come to think of it I've caught bass with worm hooks in their mouth but I have never caught one with a plug or spinner bait in their mouth. HUH!

Could be because spinnerbaits and plugs have weight on them that allow the fish to "throw" the bait.

J Francho reply :

Quote

Quote
Do you really think that hook passed through the fish's digestive tract, only to be lodged in its vent? Have you ever filleted a fish, and seen its digestive tract? The fish was probably foul hooked in the butt.
GET THE HOOKS OUT. Period. Its not opinion, its fact. Seriously. The procedure linked above is a simple one, and should be carried out on any deeply hooked bass.

Was this to me? No chance.

Actually, no. You replied when I was typing. I've seen what you described as well, and it usually happens when a bass takes bait intended for panfish. The hooks are small enough to pass, and cause damage later on. Intestinal peristalsis eventually pushes the line out the vent, just like when a cat eats tinsel from the X-mas tree....

J Francho reply :

Quote

Quote
Ya know come to think of it I've caught bass with worm hooks in their mouth but I have never caught one with a plug or spinner bait in their mouth. HUH!

Could be because spinnerbaits and plugs have weight on them that allow the fish to "throw" the bait.

And they are rarely gut hooked. Though it does happen. I had to use the through the gill method for this toad:

Thad reply :

I read through everything again and saw what you were posting at. I deleted my post as you replied to it. Sorry

J Francho reply :

Quote
I read through everything again and saw what you were posting at. I deleted my post as you replied to it. Sorry

Don't sweat it man, glad you mentioned your story. More reason to get the hook out while you can.

Surgin reply :

The fish was probably foul hooked in the butt.

Sorry man, absolutely NO WAY this fish was foul hooked. It was in his butt hole heading out. Unless he mysteriously sat on it then did a little shimmy to get around the barb. There is absolutely no way for a foul hook there.

BIG M reply :

That devil horse is floating in the lake somewhere. Somebody will find it and catch fish on it. Bass throw those baits very quickly after the line is broken.

J Francho reply :

Quote
The fish was probably foul hooked in the butt.
Sorry man, absolutely NO WAY this fish was foul hooked. It was in his butt hole heading out. Unless he mysteriously sat on it then did a little shimmy to get around the barb. There is absolutely no way for a foul hook there.

You had the fish in your hand, so you'd know better than I. I believe you. Still doesn't present any compelling evidence that the fish is better off with the hook stuck in its gut.

JellyMan reply :

I caught a 4lber awhile back with a blind eye. It was really bad lookin. Then just the other day I caught a 1/2lb peeter and managed to hookset right through his skull into his eyeball. Nothing I could do but rip that hook out and ket em go. I would bet that he'll be juust fine. These guys learn to live with about any problem. I have heard about the "passing" of hooks aswell. Amazing.

Red Bear reply :

I agree that you should remove any hook that you possibly can, but there are times when you simply cannot remove a hook from a fish without causing it more harm than leaving the hook in there.

Koop reply :

I caught a northern that had his mouth treble hooked partially shut with a rapala fire tiger husky jerk.

WRB reply :

Try giving the bass slack line about half way back to the boat when hooked on a multiple treble hook lure. If the hook goes through the basses jaw passed the barb, the hook will usually stay embedded. The bass can easily shake loose most hooks that don't penetrate beyond the barb.

I have found floating lures that bass have managed to free and had floated back up on the surface. Bottom line; some will die and most survive.

WRB

kms399 reply :

I have a small pair of wire cutters that I bring with me. if they get gut hooked and I cant get the hook out in the way they show in that link I reach in and cut the hook as far down as I can. it also works well when you have a treble hook stuck in there. its got to be easier to digest half a hook than the whole thing.

LCpointerKILLA reply :

Quote
The fish was probably foul hooked in the butt.
Sorry man, absolutely NO WAY this fish was foul hooked. It was in his butt hole heading out. Unless he mysteriously sat on it then did a little shimmy to get around the barb. There is absolutely no way for a foul hook there.

I once caught a bass with about a foot of braid coming out of it's butt. Not as gruesome as your fish, but same idea

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Man i have been doing things wrong all this time. I will usually cut the line at release the fish! THANKS GUYS

DawsonH reply :

I caught a small bass once that had a hook poking out of the side of its gut. The point was rusted off but it was still lodged inside him. I fixed it.

Matt Fly reply :

The first year I fished Fork, I caught a 7 lber that had 3 existing hooking in its mouth. All 3 had different lenghts of mono protruding from her mouth.

All at different stages of eroding.

I do think old hooks and cheap hooks will rust eventually, but some of the new hooks on the market will take a lot longer than most expect.

I have been lucky to retrieve a few lures once lake levels have dropped after a year or more. A year or more in the water and the hooks were on there way to rusting.

What happens to a human when you get a splinter, it festers and the body tries to break it down.

I think what chemicals a bass has in its body would do the same, I just think hooks are not as cheap when most opinions on hooks left in the mouth would do are from the 70's and less quality hooks.

12101

Fish fate after breakoffs 2025

related General Bass Fishing Forum topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic