Fish with teeth:
12 lb Walleye
Yikes! Predator fish with teeth love to eat just like those without, so inevitably we will encounter them – And when we least expect it. A little preparation and some simple tools can make this an almost non-issue. What you need: Long nose pliers, wire cutters (may be on your pliers already), jaw spreaders and a little knowledge on how to use them. There are also some handy hook removal tools with long handles that may also work. If you are in waters that contain these “gators”, you may want to consider using a heavy fluorocarbon or steel bite leader so you don’t lose your favorite lure.
First, we need to keep our fingers out of harm’s way. Inserting the spreaders from the side of the fish’s mouth and releasing the spring tension will safely keep the mouth open so we can remove the hook/s. Next up is assessing the situation. If the hook/s can be removed with out harming the fish, then use the long nose pliers to remove them while keeping your fingers at a safe distance. If removing the hook/s may hurt the fish (or you), it may be necessary to cut the line or part of the hook. This is where the wire cutters come in handy. Once all is removed, it’s time to get the fish back in the water. Delayed Onset Mortality can often happen to a fish that “seemed ok” at time of release, so take the time to make sure that the fish has regained it’s forces before fully releasing it.