Fish Hook Extractor Tool

[Baxter]

Are these extractor tools any good?

I have never had any issues pulling hooks out with pliers, and really don't plan on changing that. But I see these ads everywhere for fish hook extractor tools and while they look like a waste of money, are they?

Anyone here use one? Are they actually easier than pliers?

 

[SpringVelocity]

yes. But don't spend crazy amount of money on them. I don't use it all the time. It is just a simplified gaff.

 

[Ringo]

If you’re using barbless hooks, which I presume you do, buy a gaff and that’s going to be your favourite multi-purpose tool. Land, unhook fish, bonk, retrieve downrigger clip, show love to your fishing buddies when they mess around with your gear.... the list is really endless

 

[SpringVelocity]

Gaffs don't work for everything. Sorry man.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

I use a gaff for most, but if you jig it can be difficult to remove a swallowed hook or treble with the gaff or pliers. @LIVELINES had a sweet homemade hook remover made from the end of a golf club and wood dowel with a piece of stiff thin metal rod bent to remove the hook.
I finally got around to copying it and just made my own.

 

[wishiniwasfishin1]

What kind of shaft is that?

 

[TheHurtLocker]

What kind of shaft is that?

hahaha, I'm not sure, it was broken and in the garbage at the range the other day. It could have been one of my Project X' by the way I was hitting them!

 

[Ringo]

Gaffs don't work for everything. Sorry man.

Never said everything.

 

[advTHXance]

Use a gaff. If the hook is buried, use pliers. Dont waste your money on gimmicks that will only clutter up your boat!

 

[Corey_lax]

I have one of these on my boat for years and I haven’t ever used it. Usually just use a gaff. Or it Seems like a standard pair of needle nose pliers is always closer by when I’m trying to get a hook out. But it will come in handy someday when a fish has a hook deep. That will likely happen as soon as I take it off the boat

 

[Stosh]

Years ago I was lucky enough to fish in Florida for King Mackerel, Barracuda and Cobia. All had very sharp teeth. We used a long handled SS hook extractor like the one in the picture. It would lock onto the hook when you squeezed the 2 handles together. I picked mine up down in the keys. I’m sure they are still available if you do an online search.
Stosh

 

[SpringVelocity]

Use a gaff. If the hook is buried, use pliers. Dont waste your money on gimmicks that will only clutter up your boat!

As I said again gaffs does not work for everything. At end of day just like wire vs braid do what works for you. I find the one I posted very useful myself.

 

[slacktide]

a lot simpler... this is used in many emergency rooms. take a 24" double wrap around the hook shank, leave lots of slack, hold down the eye of the hook and give the line a quick snap backwards and no more buried hook. works as well with barbed hooks! don't ask me how I know...

 

[Baxter]

If a hook is deep in a fishes throat, I can't see how a gaff would be of use Cant exactly drive a gaff down its throat to the hook....??? Needle nose would be easier, And for visible hooks, needle nose are incredibly easy...