Hook Removal Tools: Removers, Forceps and Dehookers

By Weston Barrett

Hook removal tools are a small but critical piece of gear for any angler who practices catch-and-release. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) explains that dehooking tools allow anglers to release fish quickly with minimal handling, which can increase a fish’s chance of survival. The Keep Fish Wet principles reinforce this: reducing handling time and minimizing air exposure are two of the most important things you can do for a released fish. Whether you use a dedicated dehooking tool, a pair of needle-nose pliers, or forceps, having the right tool ready makes the process faster and safer for both you and the fish.

Why a dedicated hook removal tool matters

According to the FWC, dehooking tools are designed to remove a hook without the hook re-engaging in the fish’s mouth. This speeds up release and reduces the time the fish spends out of the water. Keep Fish Wet notes that even short air exposures (as little as 10 to 20 seconds for some species) can harm fish, and longer handling compounds stress. A tool that lets you pop the hook free while the fish is still in the water or barely lifted supports both the “minimize air exposure” and “reduce handling time” principles. The FWC also points out that even a pair of needle-nose pliers counts as a dehooking tool, so you don’t need a specialty gadget to get started.

Types of hook removal tools

Hook removal tools come in several forms, and the right one depends on your fishing style. The FWC describes dehooking tools in a variety of shapes and sizes. Common types include:

• Needle-nose pliers: A basic tool found in many tackle boxes. The Missouri Department of Conservation lists needle-nosed pliers as a basic tackle box item, and the Minnesota DNR’s fishing safety guide recommends them for removing hooks from fish. They work well for mouth-hooked fish and can also crimp barbs.
• Forceps or hemostats: These locking, scissor-like tools give a secure grip on small hooks and are often used for panfish or trout. The Missouri guide mentions hemostats for removing hooks set deeper in the mouth.
• Dedicated dehooking tools: The FWC describes these as designed to remove a hook without the hook re-engaging, in many shapes and sizes. It notes that longer shafts are helpful when fishing from a boat with a high gunwale, while a shorter tool works better in a kayak.

For a closer look at pliers specifically, see our fishing pliers guide.

How to choose a dehooking tool

The FWC recommends matching your dehooking tool to the angler, the fish you target, and the vessel. If you fish from a boat with high sides, a tool with a longer shaft keeps you from leaning over dangerously. In a kayak, a compact tool is easier to manage. When targeting fish with sharp teeth, spines, or barbs, a long dehooking tool keeps your fingers out of harm’s way. The Keep Fish Wet tips also stress carrying a hook removal device that is easily accessible, so you can remove the hook quickly without fumbling. Our essential fishing tools overview covers other items that pair well with a dehooking tool.

Using hook removal tools safely

The Missouri Department of Conservation says that if the hook is through the lip of a smaller fish, hold the body and remove the hook with the other hand, and use hemostats or needle-nose pliers for hooks set deeper in the mouth, throat or tongue. The Florida FWC adds to handle fish as little as possible and only with wet hands, and the Minnesota DNR packs needlenosed pliers or forceps for removing hooks on every outing. If you use barbless hooks, the job is even simpler. The FWC explains that you can crimp the barb down with a pair of pliers or a small hand crimper, and Keep Fish Wet notes that barbless hooks cause less damage and are much easier to remove, sometimes letting you release the fish without even taking it out of the water. A rubber-coated landing net also helps support the fish horizontally and protects its slime coat, as recommended by the FWC and Keep Fish Wet. For more on hook styles, read our guide to fishing hook sizes and types.

When to cut the line instead

Not every hook should be removed. The FWC states that if a fish is gut-hooked, you should cut the line as close to the hook as possible to avoid further damage to internal organs. The Minnesota DNR guide agrees: if the fish swallows the hook, cut the line and leave the hook in place; the fish’s stomach acids will dissolve it over time. The Missouri Department of Conservation adds that with a deeply hooked fish, removing the hook could do more harm than simply clipping the line. Keep Fish Wet’s tips also say to cut the line instead of trying to remove a deeply embedded hook. This is one of the most important judgment calls in catch-and-release fishing.

Removing a hook from a person

Accidents happen, and the Minnesota DNR’s fishing safety curriculum covers what to do if a hook ends up in skin. If the hook has not penetrated past the barb, you can gently back it out in the direction it entered. Clean and disinfect the wound thoroughly afterward. However, if the barb is embedded or the puncture is deep, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Cover the hook with a paper cup or tape to protect the area, and get the person to a hospital or emergency clinic. The guide warns that puncture wounds from hooks can cause infections or tetanus, so medical follow-up is important.

Keeping the tool ready

Keep Fish Wet’s advice is to carry an easily accessible hook removal tool, and the FWC tells pier anglers to always be ready with a dehooking tool and line cutters. Keep yours in the same place every trip so you can reach it without looking, and replace it if it no longer grips hooks securely. A tool that slips adds handling time.

Situation and tool comparison

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special dehooking tool, or can I just use pliers?

The FWC considers even a pair of needle-nose pliers a dehooking tool. For many situations, pliers work well. A dedicated dehooking tool with a longer shaft can be safer when dealing with toothy fish or fishing from a boat with high sides. The key is having something within reach that lets you remove the hook quickly and with minimal handling.

What should I do if a hook is stuck in my hand?

The Minnesota DNR safety guide advises that if the hook has not gone past the barb, you can gently back it out the way it entered, then clean and disinfect the wound. If the barb is embedded or the wound is deep, cover the hook with a cup or tape and go to a hospital. Do not try to pull it out yourself, as that can cause more tissue damage.

How do I make my hooks barbless?

The FWC recommends crimping the barb down with a pair of pliers or a small hand crimper, and Keep Fish Wet notes that barbless hooks, single or treble, are much easier and quicker to remove. For larger hooks, a bench crimper can be used. Once the barb is flattened, the hook is much easier to remove and causes less injury to the fish, without a significant difference in catch rates according to the FWC.

For more tools that make catch-and-release smoother, browse our Fishing Tools category, where you’ll find pliers, nets, grippers, and other essentials.

Sources

• Florida FWC: Fish Handling and Gear
• Keep Fish Wet: Principles
• Keep Fish Wet: Tips
• Minnesota DNR MinnAqua: Safety and Fishing at the Water’s Edge
• Missouri Department of Conservation: An Introduction to Fishing

About Weston Barrett

Weston researches and writes buying guides and how-to articles on beginner & family fishing. Picks are based on product specifications, brand reputation and patterns in owner feedback, and are updated as new models come out.