3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

How to Remove A Fishing Hook Using Fishing line

video How to Remove A Fishing Hook Using Fishing line
meWell I got a Fishing Hook in My Finger And this is How I pulled it out Using some fishing line I've done this many times but usually on someone else, It really is Quite painless
205 comments
1-40 of 205next »
Jul 11, 2010. 4:06 PMzume says:
what no video ?
Dec 30, 2009. 9:10 AMbeameron says:
Aah damn. This happend to me like an hour ago. With allot of PAIN i ripped it out. My whole finger was bleading. And still hurts a little.
Nov 18, 2009. 9:32 AMLokisgodhi says:
This is why you squeeze down the barbs on hooks along with that when you're doing catch and release it makes it  easier and increases the survival rate of the fish. 
Feb 28, 2008. 8:59 PMcf33092 says:
what are you supposed to do about hooks that get caught in your forehead?
Nov 8, 2009. 7:28 PMJ@50n says:
 scream and say OWWWWW a lot lol.
Sep 8, 2009. 7:00 PMstickmop says:
Happened to me too, only in the back of the head. My fishing buddy had read about this technique in Field & Stream years before, but had never tried it. Worked like a charm and better, I think, in this case than trying to push the barb through. It's been 20 years now - I think I was using a small Mepps, casting for grayling or trout.
Sep 8, 2009. 6:22 PMrockstar7600 says:
isnt the intention of the hook so you cant get it out. like arrows, once it goes in, it stays in, but since there is a sort of spike on the hook, it grabs to the muscle of your finger and so once you take the hook out, it rips the muscle as well.
Sep 3, 2009. 9:28 PMminipancho94 says:
depending on the situation like if you have neosporin or some antibiotic or something and how deep it is I would just rip it out quickly cause there is a small amount of shock and adrenaline which would decrease the pain or numb it in some cases not most and also depends how clean the entry is if you where in a survival situation though I would do the boyscout method yes I was a boyscout to like most people on this sight probably but if it was me in a survival situation I would propel make a pressure bandage cause of my blood condition which I am still lucky to be here but the way you treat the wound is up to you and your situation and think quickly otherwise the brief shock will propel wear off
Jul 28, 2009. 4:15 PMJavin007 says:
Wow... Holy... Ouch... That video makes me hurt.

As for the raging debate on the "proper" way to remove a hook, the "proper" method is to slice a parallel incision next to the hook, remove, flush and debride, disinfect, and cover.

Not particularly feasible when you're out fishing...

I too was in boy scouts, then eagle scouts, then a 91B (combat medic) and 91T (animal care specialist) in the U.S. Army. I'll add my two cents.

Often with a fish hook, due to it's shape and the direction it's generally moving during impact, you'll get a double puncture where the hook will both enter and exit the skin. The most painless method of removal for this type of wound is the boyscout method...

Now let's consider the boyscout handbook for a moment...

This was originally based on Robert Baden-Powell's work, a Lieutenant (Leftenant) General in the British Army around the late 1800's early 1900's. He wrote numerous military training books, and eventually due to their popularity among boys, eventually wrote Scouting for Boys in 1908 (the original handbook). In his "Boat Cruising and Watermanship" section, he mentions the "most painless way to remove a hook." Needless to say, his focus wasn't exactly on infection. Even then, the concept of germs and viruses was fairly new.

Punctures are quite dangerous in that they "plant" any germs or viruses that are on the device doing the puncturing into the wound. By pushing a hook "through" the skin, you're not only causing additional trauma, but you're also burying any additional germs into the wound that are still on the part of the hook that isn't yet embedded into the flesh.

In the case of how the guy in the video had the hook (deeply) embedded, the "boyscout method" would have been the absolute worst way to go. His method was fast, though I'll debate whether it was as painless as he made it out to be. I've been hooked like that before... I'm still in therapy... The trauma caused by the barb would have actually been less than if he had pushed it through additional meat to get an exit wound. Finally, his method introduced no new bacteria to the wound (any more than it already had).

So to put a long winded, and scotch driven comment into a summary: The Boyscout Handbook is significantly outdated. It should show three methods of hook removal, based on the situation. In this particular situation, this video shows precisely the best way to remove a hook. I only wish I'd thought of it before grabbing the pliers.

Back to the scotch...
May 17, 2008. 7:59 PMn8man says:
I'm a boyscout. You're suppose to push it through until the barbed part comes back out then cut off the barbed part, and remove it by pulling it back through.
That is the right way
Jun 23, 2009. 12:48 PMSkateboardingForLife says:
agreed
May 13, 2009. 1:09 PMXkidXhavocX says:
THE VIDEO ISNT WORKING!!!
May 13, 2009. 9:47 PMn8man says:
Ask the person who made the video, hit the add comment button above.
May 7, 2009. 10:33 PMnsgrossman says:
I was a boyscout for quite some time as well.... I've learned far more on the trail than scouts ever taught me
May 8, 2009. 9:42 PMn8man says:
Please look at the date of the comments before you reply to them, that one is almost a YEAR OLD, and also look at the replies below, you will see how many people have been telling me that. The only reason I have not deleted the comment is because if you take away the arrogance, it has an alternative way of taking the hook out.
Nov 14, 2008. 1:52 PMA.C.E. says:
yea it may be the right way, but its also the more painful way..
Nov 14, 2008. 4:37 PMn8man says:
Read comment by me below
Nov 14, 2008. 1:51 PMFather Christmas says:
might i ask if it is in an area such as the torso, where it is particularly "meaty" and it could not be pulled through? your method doesn't quite work there, does it?
Nov 14, 2008. 6:31 PMn8man says:
There are a lot of people who agree with me below, and some are trained medics. And yes, there are more ways to do it. Also by pusing it through I mean curving it back up throughthe skin in a loop, not a straight line.
Nov 26, 2008. 5:23 PMWill963 says:
no no no your so wrong that would hurt like no other
Nov 26, 2008. 5:47 PMn8man says:
Yes it would hurt but the adrenaline rush would block the pain, also the hook would not go deep enough to cause that much pain.
Nov 26, 2008. 6:50 PMFather Christmas says:
this is of course, from your own personal experience? I have gotten a fishing hook in my hand. I can GUARANTEE that the adrenaline does NOT block the pain. You also seem to disregard the fact that a small needle, nth smaller than a hook, can cause pain while not even piercing the skin. The thing about pain is it is weird; it is different for everybody, and it even depends on environmental factors.
Nov 15, 2008. 8:04 AMFather Christmas says:
also, what if it is not an option, in an area with major blood vessels or nervous tissue? im not saying that your method doesnt work, i jsut think that you should tell people without common sense that there are situations where you shouldnt' do it.
Nov 15, 2008. 1:05 PMn8man says:
If it is in an area like that, you're screwed and shouldn't take it out yourself.
Nov 15, 2008. 10:03 PMFather Christmas says:
touche`
Nov 13, 2008. 2:55 PMderfman24 says:
your right
Nov 13, 2008. 1:56 PMDoveman says:
Hey i read that too What rank are you? Are you in the OA? If so what Lodge and #?
Nov 13, 2008. 2:06 PMn8man says:
I'm not in OA but I was a life scout before I was a fourth year and I still am one now.
Nov 14, 2008. 1:33 PMDoveman says:
Im in the OA, Lodge #185 Atta Kulla Kulla and I am also currently a life scout.
Nov 12, 2008. 4:58 PMn8man says:
Ignore the arrogant tone of this comment and focus on the actual advice I give in it.
Oct 12, 2008. 8:48 PMbuster27 says:
(removed by author or community request)
Oct 12, 2008. 8:56 PMn8man says:
wow

first I am criticized on a comment I made over 5 months ago then I am insulted by a perverted guy and now I am insulted by a person who can't even spell dumb' this is starting to get really annoying.
Oct 16, 2008. 1:33 PMDELETED_craz meanman says:
(removed by author or community request)
Oct 16, 2008. 5:33 PMn8man says:
buster27 said "shut up mister boyscout keep your dum ideas to yoself"
Nov 11, 2008. 8:45 PMCybergothiChe says:
yo, buster27, get a life, and don't break the silence unless you can improve it. also, please submit a video with a fish hook stuck in your hand. don't remove it, we all just want to see you in pain. loser
Nov 12, 2008. 4:57 PMn8man says:
Very well said, though a sarcastic tone would have better fit the be nice policy, but I wouldn't flag this in a million years and I don't think any admin in their right mind would delete it.
May 8, 2009. 1:37 PM142400 says:
what if when you pull it out of someone it sticks into you
1-40 of 205next »

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
4
Followers
5
Author:back-cast