Unhooking dogfish

[billy the fish]

I caught some dogfish last week, and found it hard to unhook them at times, as the hook was through the tough flesh at the mouth. Some of them bled. I was worried if they survived or not when released. My aim is to return fish as unharmed as posible. I know when trout bleed, its usually curtains for them. As i say the hook is not deep, just through the side of the mouth, but the blood surprised me. Is there any special way of unhooking
cheers btf

[cw1]

Hi Btf
Have found dogfish to be fairly hardy creatures. If their hooked in the manner that you say then I reckon they would be fine. They can be tricky to unhook with all the wriggling/sand paper skin, but it makes it easier if you hold the fish by the tail and just behind gills with one hand, using the other hand to take hook out. If I think there are loads of dogs about I usually just flatten the barb of the hook, as it makes unhooking that bit easier. If your fishing from the beach make sure that they don't beach themselves when you put them back in th water as they can get disorientated.

[syboit]

I've had that before and had to use a pilers to get the hook out. I've seen people use a gemini disgorger and that seemed to work, was thinking of getting one of these myself.

[pol2768]

i use a large set for forceps the same that i use when pike fishing mate makes unhooking them a lot easier as for them bleeding they should be ok you would be surprised how hardy they are.

[fishermannum1]

i usually only use circle hooks, so over 90% of them are hooked just at the side of their mouth, so a pair of long nosed pliers dose the job perfect, if they do take the hook deeper then i would use the T bar. and as the guys said, don't worry about a bit of blood for they are fairly hardly fish.

[polmac]

i use a decent size of forceps. im the same as you, i want to get them back in straight away as they are lovely fish, i would hate for one to die that i took.

[fagan]

ive got foreceps and a gemini disgorger, dogfish r tough creatures, i wouldnt be too worried about a bit of blood spilled aslongas its round the mouth area and not down the stomach. the disgorger is a good bita kit aswell for fish like dogfish. and try pinchin the barb on the hook so itll not catch wen ur unhooking the fish.

[kaylemf]

gemini disgorgers are very handy to get the hook out