Unhooking a deeply hooked flounder

[Old Smoothound]

I have fished in Donegal with a skipper who boat fished and Captained for Ireland in the World Champs.

We've caught loads of fish when out with him some have been deeply hooked and he uses the method described by Tony Bolton. The skipper calls it the "Twiddling Stick" works every time on large or small fish. Not tried it from the shore though.

Its just another method that works, as does leaving the hook in place to rust out.

[maghouse]

Originally Posted by tonybolton

Be good to know how you get on.

Could not do it today ???
Must be doing something wrong

[..::Pike Pirate::..]

you know these nordic bend hooks? if they are so bendy wouldnt they just straighten and come out if you got say, a big cod on? or a big fish? (might try this method next time i go out, sounds interesting)

[gullyworm]

I use nordic bends quite a lot,they are a very fine hook which i think makes them great for scratching with as they seem to hook small fish so much easier then a lot of hooks with wider gauge.
Your right in what you say about them bending out of big fish though,if i was targetting ,or there was a good chance of catching bigger fish i wouldnt use them.

[BaggieRich]

I tried this on Friday night Tony with no joy. Is the screwdriver supposed to go down past the bend of the hook and are you supposed to hold both the screw driver and the line when you "twiddle"???

[Lewis 77]

Originally Posted by ..::Pike Pirate::..

you know these nordic bend hooks? if they are so bendy wouldnt they just straighten and come out if you got say, a big cod on? or a big fish? (might try this method next time i go out, sounds interesting)

Nordic Bends are really designed for catching small fish which you aim to return alive. Have caught bass up to 2lb ish on them but anything bigger and you could be in trouble.

[tonybolton]

Originally Posted by BaggieRich

I tried this on Friday night Tony with no joy. Is the screwdriver supposed to go down past the bend of the hook and are you supposed to hold both the screw driver and the line when you "twiddle"???

Yeah the screwdrivergoes down past thehook and you just hold the line next to the handle and wiggle it around. I've have a coupleof flounder recently andused it each time.

[BaggieRich]

Cheers mate, I'll give it another go then.