How do you unhook a shark?

Question

If one comes along and bites your hook when you're fishing? I won't consider cutting the line and letting the hook stay in the shark.

Answer 1

Buy a good pair of side cuts or bolt cutters and cut the hook just at the eye for small sharks or just cut the leader well away from buisness end(mouth)!
Big sharks I like to cut hook also but have done this many times and I would not want you to try this one just cut the leader!
Never over work a shark to the point of "total" exhaustion this can be harmful to shark(this for release fish).Never attempt any of this unless you have knowledge!Secure with tail rope if shark is played out cut leader dispatch fish(for eating).A dead shark is the most dangerous one so make dang well it is dead before you boat him for keep fish only!
I was fishing with a few guys on boat and we came up to a boater in distress the dead shark was not dead and they brought it aboard.I came aboard because they asked for help and billied that poor shark that had 3 shots to the head area with a .22 rifle.Needless to say their tackle cooler chair and pride were broke bunch of fools did not even tail rope this poor shark just gaffed it!
So long story short cut the leader and avoid the problems you may come to!

Answer 2

Wow! Ignore almost everything you read above unless you want to either kill the animal or loose a finger!

The easiest way to unhook a shark under three feet or so is to let him tire out a bit, then just grab him behind the head and either gently work the hook out with a hook remover, or cut the line right above the hook if it's in deep. Hooks are made to corrode in salt water in a short period of time, so instead of tearing the poor thing's jaw apart, let the hook just corrode out.

On a side note, you can get stainless steel hooks, but they stay in for a long time and are actually cruel in my book. I fish all the time, and here is South Florida, catching carribean reef shark is a common thing, and I'd say 20% of the hooks can't safely be removed, so avoid stainless if you care about the shark's future at all.

For big sharks, just cut the line as close to the hook as you safely can. Getting back that hook isn't as important to me as keeping my hands and fingers.

Also, ignore the Discovery Channel exapmle on how to handle sharks. Those guys have years of training, and while some species of shark tend to relax if rolled onto their backs and such, the same isn't true for all species, so just be smart and don't try anything that you aren't 100% positive will work.

Lastly, punching a shark in the nose can damage it's electrical sensing capabilities, is cruel, and usually just makes the shark fight harder.

Answer 3

You have to look at the shark like a brunco. You sit on down of it, grab the snout and lift it straight up so all the teeth are showing. Then you jiggle the hook free. Oh yes, wait until the shark has been dead for about six hours. Some sharks might look like they are dead but truly are just waiting for the next lunch.

Answer 4

VERY CAREFULLY!!! I always keep a pair of surgical hemostats handy for hook removal. If you cant reach hook with the hook remover, cut the line. NEVER stick your finger or hand in his mouth even if he is dead. Ive seen a nervous reaction in a dead shark where his jaws clamped shut.

Answer 5

If your thinking of sticking your hand, in the sharks mouth to retrieve a hook, think again.

That is unless, you want the nickname, "stumpy."

Answer 6

the best thing to do is let the hook stay in its mouth. with time it will rust enough and work its way out. digging one out can do a lot more damage to them than help. if you must take one out you better have a meat cutter glove that is made out of wire mesh and a long set of pliers. the best way to do it is punch him directly in the nose this will stun him for a few seconds and you may be able to get it if its right in his jaw. if it is in further than put him on his back and that will imobilize him. make sure someone is holding him down, because with that powerful tail they can almost stand straight up and that could be fatal.

Answer 7

if you can hold him upside down for about ten secods. that competely imobilizes them.
and if you punch it in the nose because of all the nerves that go directly to the brain you could end up killing it instead. and rusting would take a while and it could easily cause more pain and get infected.
be sure that you dont put him back rightside up until you put him back in the water

Answer 8

tackle it down don't rip and watch ur fingers

Answer 9

cut the line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!