Fishing with thorns

[jon r]

I like fishing but in the past i have killed a few fish because the fish manage to swallow the hook right down deep into ntheir insides! I dont like killing anything

Would i have the same trouble if i fished with thorns?

How would you degouge a thorn hook?

 

[torjusg]

I like fishing but in the past i have killed a few fish because the fish manage to swallow the hook right down deep into ntheir insides! I dont like killing anything

Would i have the same trouble if i fished with thorns?

How would you degouge a thorn hook?

Killing can be learned, I break a trout's neck with as little concern as a dried twig. You will be hardened if you do it a lot.

They would probably swallow it, I don't think it would work well if not. I have not tested thorns, but they are definately worth investigating.

 

[Welsh Dragon]

I do some sea fishing and I know there is a type of hook available called "Circle hooks". As the name suggests they are more of a rounded shape an increases the chances of lip hooking a fish and lessens the chance of the fish swallowing the hook down
I think they were first used by longliners for more speed reasons than anything, I've never tried them myself but some sea anglers swear by them.

Brian

 

[akabu]

Jon R, yes the thorns will most likely be swallowed ,circle hooks are your best bet .Very good for bait fishing as they almost hook themselves

 

[KAE1]

I guess whatever hook you use the way to prevent deep hooking is ensuring sensitive bite indication.
I used to do a lot of lure fishing, always crushed the barbs so all hooks were barbless. Always use good unhooking kit, various pairs of forcepts (or pliers for luring).
I agree, it is really sad to deep hook and be forced to kill a fish that you planned to return to the water.
Good bite indication - thats the trick.

 

[Tadpole]

I like fishing but in the past i have killed a few fish because the fish manage to swallow the hook right down deep into ntheir insides! I dont like killing anything

Would i have the same trouble if i fished with thorns?

How would you degouge a thorn hook?

I have to say, if you plan to return the fish, don't fish with thorns or bone hook. as Both are a real pain to retrive from live fish. Fish using modern barbless hooks that are slightly larger than the mouth of your target fish, I find this causes the fish to "mouth the bait" there by giving you an indication that the fish are about. People today seem to go for ridiculously small hooks and weak terminus tackle (to make things sporting???) or massive hooks and huge amounts of additive coated chemical baits. (So called specimen fishermen)
I’ve been fishing since I was eleven and have to say that if the hook is too small to tie by hand it’s too small to use, unless of course you are going for a record minnow or gudgeon.