You’re having a great day on the water, and then one bad cast or one slipped grip happens, and suddenly you’ve hooked yourself while fishing. Don’t panic. This is one of the most common fishing accidents out there, and knowing what to do will help you make a smart, safe recovery.
Check Out the Wound
Before you do anything, take a breath and look at the hook. Where is it? How deep is it? Is the barb exposed or buried under the skin? Your next move depends entirely on the answers. A superficial hook near the surface is a very different situation than one buried deep in your hand, finger, or anywhere near your face or eye.
When You Can Remove It Yourself
If the hook is shallow, the barb hasn’t fully passed through, and you’re not near your face or a joint, you’ve got a couple of removal options.
Yanking the String
The string-yank method can work for shallow hooks. Loop a piece of fishing line around the bend of the hook, press the hook’s eye down toward your finger to disengage the barb, then pull the line back in one sharp, quick motion. Done right, the hook pops out clean.
Pushing It Through
The push-through method is another option if the barb is close to the surface, though it can make some people squeamish. You must push the point forward until the barb breaks through the skin. Next, you cut the exposed barb off with wire cutters, then back the hook out the way it came in.
When You Should Not Attempt Removal
You always have the option to get hospital care for hook removal, and you must go if the injury is near (or in) your eye, embedded in a joint, or buried deep in tissue. An ER visit is also necessary if you’re not current on your tetanus shot. These situations need professional medical attention, so get to an urgent care or emergency room and let them handle it.
After the Hook Is Out
Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water or an antiseptic. Apply antibiotic ointment, cover it with a bandage, and watch for signs of infection over the next few days, like redness spreading from the wound, swelling, warmth, or discharge. If any of that shows up, return to or see a doctor.
Additionally, use the injury as a reminder to take care of your tackle. If the hook was rusted, you put yourself at a high risk of contracting tetanus. You should make sure you prevent your hooks from rusting, which you can do with proper storage and an anti-corrosive like mineral oil. The experience should also serve as a reminder to be extra careful when handling hooks. Your caution and awareness can stop this from happening to you—or the people you fish with—again.
Getting Back on the Water
Now you know exactly what to do if you ever hook yourself while fishing. A little preparation and a calm head can hopefully turn this scary moment into nothing more than a story you tell at the dock.
