Largemouth Bass...can’t unhook!

[Master Zero]

Good afternoon all;

I went fishing today and caught my first Largemouth Bass (it’s been my dream since day one). The thing is, I recently discovered that this fish has a fishing line coming out of its mouth. This can only mean that their might be a hook attached at the end of it. I try to gently pull on it, but it wasn’t coming out, and it seems to bother the Bass.

At one point I got to seem inside its mouth while it was doing some deep breathing in the corner of the tank. I think I might have seen what looked like a hook, but I am not sure.

Any advice on what I should do? Do you think he can live like this, or is his time limited if not removed?

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3715/sspx0143ts6.jpg

[unbeatablec]

Try those fish hook removal rods, that you put in there mouth and twist

[Master Zero]

The thing is I don’t really know how deep down its throat the hook is. I think this might be one risky operation if attempted by me. Do you think a vet can do such a job?

[akryden]

this may sound bad but the hook will eventualy rust and fall out then will be passed. if it bothers him its probably the line so maby instead of risking more damage you cut the line as far back as you can then keep an eye on it. it realy should only take at most a month i would assume, hooks seem to rust pretty fast. good luck in whatever you do hope it turns out for the best.

also by the red eyes, light green and the vertical stripes i think that is a smallmouth bass. only because i do a lot of largemouth fishing.

[southpaw]

Just leave it where it is...you will do more harm trying to get it out...The acid in the fishes throat will eat the hook up.

Did you bring it home and put it in your tank ? :(

[unbeatablec]

your best bet would be to yank out the hook and eat it ;)

[southpaw]

:lol:

[will74]

I may be wrong but I am almost 100% positive that your fish is a smallmouth bass. As for the hook, don't bother taking it out, it will come out in a couple of days. Sounds to me by the way you described that it swallowed the hook, The angler who caught the fish did the right thing by cutting the line because if the hook were removed it would be fatal to the fish. The fishes' digestive juices will eat through the hook and it will be just like new. You could cut the line with fingernail clippers as close the hook as you can and it will alleviate most discomfort. I hope i helped, good luck!

[Master Zero]

Yes you guys did help me a lot, but also destroyed my dreams of catching the big one in the process... :( I guess its back to the lakes for me… :) And yes I took it home with me. I’ll cut the line as far back as I can.

Thanks again!

[Plecosterone]

Looks like a smallmouth to me too. In largemouth the mouth goes further back under the eyes.

[ct-death]

DO you plan on starting a tank of Bass!?! They require a LOT of space and are ultra-Aggressive! Not to mention the other issues

...

[mademperor]

Good luck with your bass! I feed mine Rossy reds and Krill and he is doing great =D

Trying to get him to try dry food still lol.

http://wowdeltacompany.net/pictures/augustpics3.jpg

[skillful abbot]

Beautiful bass... but I usually throw them back . . . especially if they are under 30cm...

[mcox3]

I've always wanted a native species tank...

sunfish, channel cats and sm bass...

[James0816]

yeppers...as mentioned above...the hook (unless it is a lure) will eventually rot out and disovle. the actual hook will disolve and maybe it will spit out the rest of the lure. just open its mouth and cut the line as far down as you can. it will be fine. just don't go in and tugging around it.

[rwilliams254]

Question: do you have any other fish in the tank?




BTW: I'm in the camp of eating it. :)

[jtburf]

HOW DID YOU GET IT HOME????

[Master Zero]

He was in there with three other Sunfish (two of which are babies and one 4-5 inch green sunfish), one Pacu, a Tiger Oscar, an Angel fish, and a Sliver Arowana. They are in a 125 gallon tank, but will soon be upgraded to 300 gallon. Sadly, the Bass did not survive the night… :(

I am not really going for a Bass tank, but I always wanted to have one. I want a rare fish that can’t be brought, and I will try once more on Tuesday. This time a lot of time will be spent on the acclamation process...I am so depress...

Oh, and I got him home in a mini Rubbermaid (not a cooler, but could be used) look a like. Equivalent to a 15+ gallon tank...

Your tank and Bass looks beautiful Mademperor. I wished my Bass had survived. If only...

[southpaw]

I wished my Bass had survived. If only...

If only you had put him back after you caught it then it probably would have survived

[rwilliams254]

Sadly, the Bass did not survive the night


Hope you didn't eat him then.


IF you decide to catch one from the wild and bring him home...put him in QT for a couple of weeks. Don't mix him with your other fish. You're lucky you didn't loose all your fish...due to an infection, parasite, etc...

[akryden]

Good luck with your bass! I feed mine Rossy reds and Krill and he is doing great =D

Trying to get him to try dry food still lol.

http://wowdeltacompany.net/pictures/augustpics3.jpg

what kind of bass is that? it looks like some kind of sunfish/bass hybrid, i only say do to realy dark and the patch of collor on his chin/neck. that isnt something ive seen in 17yrs of bass fishing.

[mcox3]

i know... it looked funny to me too.

[jm1212]

the angel is going to get outcompeted and bullied in that tank...

[Master Zero]

If only you had put him back after you caught it then it probably would have survived

Yes perhaps, then again would it have made a difference if I had brought it from the store? No, don’t think so...but I am sure that every fish you’ve ever brought home are alive and healthy (doesn’t matter how you obtained it), right? Maybe you too should have left those back at the store...if any.

The Angel has been doing great, but I will keep that in mind. I was worried when the Crayfish were still around. They’ve killed all except this last remaining Angel.

[southpaw]

Yes perhaps, then again would it have made a difference if I had brought it from the store? No, don’t think so...but I am sure that every fish you’ve ever brought home are alive and healthy (doesn’t matter how you obtained it), right? Maybe you too should have left those back at the store...if any.

All I am saying is if you dont have the right tank for a fish regardless of where it came from it is best to leave it where you found it. The fish you had probably lived 1+ year(s) in the wild and it would be very difficult for it to get used to an aquarium. It might be best if you are wanting to keep a bass then get a very small one and a large enough tank that could handle a fish that will most likely reach 5-6lbs. or more when full grown.

[mademperor]

what kind of bass is that? it looks like some kind of sunfish/bass hybrid, i only say do to realy dark and the patch of collor on his chin/neck. that isnt something ive seen in 17yrs of bass fishing.

I was told he was a Rock Bass, and from my own research that is what I found. One of the tell-tail signs I guess is the eyes, they are Fire Red with a black line going from top to bottom.

Also to the thread starter. If you are knowledgeable with fish keeping, you can provide a life that is safe and happy for your bass. Keep in mind he is wild, so I suggest feeding live fish/ frozen (krill w/e) and try dry.



Here is another picture.
http://wowdeltacompany.net/pictures/augustpics2.jpg

[southpaw]

I was told he was a Rock Bass, and from my own research that is what I found. One of the tell-tail signs I guess is the eyes, they are Fire Red with a black line going from top to bottom.

Also to the thread starter. If you are knowledgeable with fish keeping, you can provide a life that is safe and happy for your bass. Keep in mind he is wild, so I suggest feeding live fish/ frozen (krill w/e) and try dry.



Here is another picture.
http://wowdeltacompany.net/pictures/augustpics2.jpg

Looks like what we call down here (Tennessee) a red-eye bass. I catch them all the time in the local creeks around my house.

[unbeatablec]

They do need ALOT of oxygen, if you keep one, add about 6 lines for oxygen

[mcox3]

They do need ALOT of oxygen, if you keep one, add about 6 lines for oxygen

all bass???

[unbeatablec]

all bass???
Yep, most native species need LOTS of oxygen, you could get away with 3 powerheads IMO.

[rob0829]

I was told he was a Rock Bass, and from my own research that is what I found. One of the tell-tail signs I guess is the eyes, they are Fire Red with a black line going from top to bottom.

Also to the thread starter. If you are knowledgeable with fish keeping, you can provide a life that is safe and happy for your bass. Keep in mind he is wild, so I suggest feeding live fish/ frozen (krill w/e) and try dry.



Here is another picture.
http://wowdeltacompany.net/pictures/augustpics2.jpg

yup thats a rock bass. I catch them all the time in the great lakes area. From what I heard it is the easiest to keep in captivity of all the bass species because it is not a true bass. Its more of a panfish. They don't get as big as smallmouth or largemouth either.

[unbeatablec]

yup thats a rock bass. I catch them all the time in the great lakes area. From what I heard it is the easiest to keep in captivity of all the bass species because it is not a true bass. Its more of a panfish. They don't get as big as smallmouth or largemouth either.
Im from michigan, and there not in the great lakes, only inland lakes.

[rob0829]

Im from michigan, and there not in the great lakes, only inland lakes.

I'm from windsor....I said in the great lakes area..... I catch them in the detroit river all the time....not a great lake, but not an inland lake either.

[unbeatablec]

I'm from windsor....I said in the great lakes area..... I catch them in the detroit river all the time....not a great lake, but not an inland lake either.
Oh ok, lake st clair has amazing sized musky

[mcox3]

i think its illegal to take home your catch in AZ... but its only illegal if you get caught right???

[loaches r cool]

I used to catch a lot of rock bass in the area of Henderson Harbor (lake ontario, where I grew up). Not in the lake but in the rivers that fed the lake. They seem to be more of a river fish. We never kept rock bass though, as I recall they were never that big and boney.

I'd love to setup a native species tank... I was thinking maybe pumpkinseed and/or yellow perch. Maybe when I get a new house I'll have room for another big tank.

[robadk1]

You know, it's kinda funny that all in the same thread, you have the oppinions, that "yes, keep the fish alive, please" as well as ' Eat it!"(I'm on both sides as well)
Don't get offended loachrcool, but did you know Clown loach are common cuisine in Japan? We would never think of it. Weird huh?

[brett_93_ex]

I have done it once in the past but the way I did it is a QT with shad saver (used in live wells to keep fish from stressing) in there and lots of ariation until it gets used to you and the rectangular environment. Slowly change water out until most of the shad saver is gone. Then you could introduce it to the main tank.

I kept mine for a year but always fed it live minnows, worms and grasshoppers and crickets to keep it on more natural foods.

When it got too big I tagged it and released it in a friends pond. Re caught it a year later.

[mademperor]

I used to catch a lot of rock bass in the area of Henderson Harbor (lake ontario, where I grew up). Not in the lake but in the rivers that fed the lake. They seem to be more of a river fish. We never kept rock bass though, as I recall they were never that big and boney.

I'd love to setup a native species tank... I was thinking maybe pumpkinseed and/or yellow perch. Maybe when I get a new house I'll have room for another big tank.

Good Luck with Yellow Perch. I've tried to keep them, but after awhile they always die. From my online research they are just not well suited for aquarium life.

[robadk1]

Bret 93, How'd u go about tag'n it? I'm just curious because I have a buddy with a Lrg Mouth Bass pond.
BTW, That looks nothing like any Largmouth I've ever caught. I live in Georgia though. maybe it's just a difference in area.

[loaches r cool]

Don't get offended loachrcool, but did you know Clown loach are common cuisine in Japan? We would never think of it. Weird huh?

I've not heard that one yet lol! I have heard that wether (dojo) loaches were, but I suppose since clowns do get pretty large it makes sense.

Its only odd for us since to us they are pets. But really though, if its edible then someone is eating it somewhere...


Good Luck with Yellow Perch. I've tried to keep them, but after awhile they always die. From my online research they are just not well suited for aquarium life.

It was just a random thought, I've not researched yellow perch at all. Just was thinking of what was available locally (at least where my folks live) and was small (plenty of fish that I used to fish for that are a tad big for aquarium... lake trout, salmon, pike...) so the first thing that came to mind was sunfish (in which the pumkinseed looks pretty colorful, and then perch. Probably the smallest thing that I used to love to fish for was brook trout but I think they need much cooler waters. Used to fish them just as soon in the year as there was some openings in the ice over the streams.

[BucJason]

I once saw a huge display tank of low level brackish water with Snook and Bass together. It was awesome.

[brett_93_ex]

Bret 93, How'd u go about tag'n it? I'm just curious because I have a buddy with a Lrg Mouth Bass pond.
BTW, That looks nothing like any Largmouth I've ever caught. I live in Georgia though. maybe it's just a difference in area.

It was a dart type of tag. I found it at Bass Pro Shops in NC. It had a pack of 20 tags and wasn't that expensive.

The following link has an example and where to place it.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/html/FishingMonitoring/FishTagDescriptions.htm

[robadk1]

Thanks for the link.
Man, if you don't tag 'em right, that fish is gunna die before long. Seems like anyhow.

[Schneider]

I may be wrong but I am almost 100% positive that your fish is a smallmouth bass. As for the hook, don't bother taking it out, it will come out in a couple of days. Sounds to me by the way you described that it swallowed the hook, The angler who caught the fish did the right thing by cutting the line because if the hook were removed it would be fatal to the fish. The fishes' digestive juices will eat through the hook and it will be just like new. You could cut the line with fingernail clippers as close the hook as you can and it will alleviate most discomfort. I hope i helped, good luck!

Modern hooks usually don't rust unless they are the very cheap ones. Gullet hooked fish should have the hook removed. The line should be cut and then carefully threaded through the gill. Then the line should be tugged gently to turn the hook so if you look into the fish's mouth the bend of the hook is facing you. Sometimes the hook pops out just from turning it. If not, use longnose pliers and pull the hook out as straight as possible. Leaving a hook in a fish's throat will greatly reduce a released fish's odds of survival. If you think you damage the fish's gullet while removing the hook, you should keep it and eat it as long as it is legal.

[webbie]

That is absolutely a smallmouth bass. I have 2 rock bass and they are not nearly as long and skinny and the mouth is much much smaller.

[frigginchi]

Try using the largest hook possible so that they don't swallow it. I use 1/0 hooks or larger for bass. Smallest I've caught on a 1/0 is a 6 inch bass.

[captmicha]

Fish native to your area need cooler water than your South American fish.

In the future, if you're going to be releasing the fish, try using circle hooks. They have a 99% rate of hooking through the lip instead of being swallowed. You can also use barbless hooks. I don't have experience with those but heard that they catch fish successfully.

[SubRosa]

yup thats a rock bass. I catch them all the time in the great lakes area. From what I heard it is the easiest to keep in captivity of all the bass species because it is not a true bass. Its more of a panfish. They don't get as big as smallmouth or largemouth either.
All FW Bass are panfish in the family Centrarchidae. True Bass are in the family Serranidae which is SW.

[nugpuffer]

In the future, if you're going to be releasing the fish, try using circle hooks.


Agreed. Circle hooks are much easier to deal with than J-bend hooks. They pretty much set themselves for you too.

[swinneyw]

the bass is a game fish i believe ins unlawful to relocate a game fish i know it is in texas

[Vicious_Fish]

That is absolutely a smallmouth bass. I have 2 rock bass and they are not nearly as long and skinny and the mouth is much much smaller.

Yep, that's a Smallmouth. I've kept both them and Rock Bass in the same setup before. They're a little harder to keep than Largemouths because they like cooler, more oxygenated water.

[Tay690]

I agree
Leave it alone...the hook will eventually rot itself out of fish or it will be digested

and as stated previously...trying to remove it will only cause more harm to the poor guy

that's why people that don't know how to fish shouldn't even put their line in the water at all

taking a nap on the dock, waking up 3 hours later to find you hooked a largemouth bass lol

sad very sad

[kyryah]

Two year old thread, sillies :) I am sure the hook either came out by now or the fish died.

Kristina

[captmicha]

I need to pay more attention. Lol.

[pam916]

I enjoyed reading this thread even if it was a couple of years old. LOL.

[LMBDave]

I may be wrong but I am almost 100% positive that your fish is a smallmouth bass.


x2 definitely a smallmouth bass...sorry dude...ull get the largie uve been dreamin of one of these days and then ull be like :cool-1:

[GreenTerr0]

looks like a largie to me, i tournament fish for bass all the time... i know the thread is old but good luck waiting for the hook to rust out, 90% of hooks now are not gonna break down with the stomach acid.

[eddiebait]

A few years ago a study was done on one of our area lakes concerning deeply hooked fish that were released with the hook imbeded. Musky was the specie, 36 to 48 inches. A very large size hook--9/0. I'm not sure how many, maybe 35 or 40 were caught on live bait, deeply hooked, the line was cut,a radio transmitter was implanted, and the fish were tracked. The fish were caught in November, by the middle of the following summer all the fish had died. The ones that were recovered seemed to have sufffered a cruel death without being able to feed. I used to believe that cutting the line was best but this study has certainly changed my mind. This study is limited to one specie and one kind of hook, perhaps panfish on a light wire might have a getter chance of survival, I don't think I would survive with a hook down my gullet. Perhaps hook manufacturers have to come up with a rapidly disolving hook. Circle hooks are a good alternative that I have not tried. I've been told that they are not as effective on fish with teeth, they need to slide into the corner of the mouth. I prefer a very fast hookset.

[RisiganL.]

1. That is actually a smallmouth
2. Leave the hook in, in a week or so it will rust and the fish will pass it through

[Troycool]

A few years ago a study was done on one of our area lakes concerning deeply hooked fish that were released with the hook imbeded. Musky was the specie, 36 to 48 inches. A very large size hook--9/0. I'm not sure how many, maybe 35 or 40 were caught on live bait, deeply hooked, the line was cut,a radio transmitter was implanted, and the fish were tracked. The fish were caught in November, by the middle of the following summer all the fish had died. The ones that were recovered seemed to have sufffered a cruel death without being able to feed. I used to believe that cutting the line was best but this study has certainly changed my mind. This study is limited to one specie and one kind of hook, perhaps panfish on a light wire might have a getter chance of survival, I don't think I would survive with a hook down my gullet. Perhaps hook manufacturers have to come up with a rapidly disolving hook. Circle hooks are a good alternative that I have not tried. I've been told that they are not as effective on fish with teeth, they need to slide into the corner of the mouth. I prefer a very fast hookset.

how cruel...so its like torture for the fish

[excuzzzeme]

WOW a 3 year old thread resurfaces!

[willfish4food]

A few years ago a study was done on one of our area lakes concerning deeply hooked fish that were released with the hook imbeded. Musky was the specie, 36 to 48 inches. A very large size hook--9/0. I'm not sure how many, maybe 35 or 40 were caught on live bait, deeply hooked, the line was cut,a radio transmitter was implanted, and the fish were tracked. The fish were caught in November, by the middle of the following summer all the fish had died. The ones that were recovered seemed to have sufffered a cruel death without being able to feed. I used to believe that cutting the line was best but this study has certainly changed my mind. This study is limited to one specie and one kind of hook, perhaps panfish on a light wire might have a getter chance of survival, I don't think I would survive with a hook down my gullet. Perhaps hook manufacturers have to come up with a rapidly disolving hook. Circle hooks are a good alternative that I have not tried. I've been told that they are not as effective on fish with teeth, they need to slide into the corner of the mouth. I prefer a very fast hookset.

they have done alot on reseach on deeply hooked fish. they say that a fast hookset when the fish hits bait or lures is best. With Largemouth bass they said that on fish hooked deep the fish that they removed the hook and the ones left in had the same mortalility rate. And if you do hook a big one (5Lbs plus) remove the hook if you can if its really in there cut the line 18 inches from the fish. this reduces deaths somehow from not eating. heres a link
on the study.
http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/manns/hook_in_out.shtml

[kiddevo]

Master Zero,

STATUS? What happened to the smalllie?

[willfish4food]

I did a test with the fast hookset method on a texas rigged worm as soon as I felt that "tick" boom set the hook. I cought and released over ten Largemouths with zero gill raked or gut hooked fish. Great success!

anybody use circle hooks when using livebait for largemouths? I guess it would not matter just as long as you set the hook fast and not delay hookset, very important now so our kids and further generations can enjoy what we have.