Fish Hook Removal

Much easier and painless to simply put umbilical tape through the hook, push down on the tail of the hook (disengaging the barb and then jerk. The hook pops out painlessly. Best get someone to show you first :)

I've found using an 18g needle to help the barb come through the skin works well. Lightly pushing the skin down around the point of the hook as the point comes through the skin allows it to come through without much difficulty.

I agree with Chuck S. M.D. I was taught the umbilical tape removal technique in medical school in 1975 by a resident who had spent time in the public health service in Alaska and have used it for the past 40+ years with greater than 90% success. Painless, no anesthetic required and takes a few seconds and I have used it "in the field" while fishing. I even made a video and sent it to EMRap but it was never shown. The method shown above should be a last resort.

Was confused with the tape/string method until I saw it in several youtube videos. It definitely looks so much easier than this method.