Unhooking a Catfish

Since I was a boy I had heard that Catfish had a nasty way of getting back at a fisherman by stinging them with their whiskers on the front of their mouth. The truth is Catfish don’t sting at all but try and sometimes succeed at poking you with their venomous pectoral and dorsal fins that can hurt like the dickens unless you can avoid them. What is the best way to unhook a Catfish?

• Grip the catfish securely by the lower jaw with pliers
• Avoid sharp spines on dorsal & pectoral fins
• If a hook is shallow, gently back it out
• For deep hooks, use long-nose pliers
• Cut the line if the hook is too deep
• Wet hands or use a wet towel to handle
• Release fish promptly
• Ensure fish is upright when released

Blue catfish, Channel catfish, and Flathead catfish are the three primary species of Catfish in the U.S. and the most sought-after species. The United States has populations of one or more of these species of catfish available in most river lakes and creeks any kind of freshwater and saltwater in fact if you have ever fished then you probably caught one.

Introduction:

Unhooking a catfish can be challenging, particularly for those new to fishing, because of the fish’s robust, slippery body and its sharp spines. It’s crucial to use the right technique to protect both yourself and the catfish. By taking a few careful steps, you can effectively unhook a catfish and safely release it, whether you’re fishing for sport or a meal.

Unhooking a Catfish

Catfish do not have teeth that you commonly need to bite your hand when you try to hold a catfish to take them off the hook. They contain incisor form of teeth and feed using suction and gulping. Catfish have no way of biting or cutting the prey that they hunt.

The Catfish whiskers protrude from the area around the mouth that are used as sensors and cannot hurt you. Catfish are often found in muddy rivers, lakes, and on beaches in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. Catfish are normally not aggressive but if you step on one or hook one then they will try to defend themselves using their pectoral and dorsal fin.

Unhooking catfish can be a challenging job because of their strong, slippery bodies and sharp spines. To safely unhook one, it’s essential to first secure the fish properly. Use pliers or a fish gripper to hold the catfish by its strong lower jaw, taking care to avoid the spines on its dorsal and pectoral fins. If the hook is easily accessible, gently push it back through the fish’s lip or mouth to minimize damage.

If the hook is deeply embedded, you might want to use long-nose pliers for careful removal. In situations where the hook is too deep, it’s often best to cut the line as close to the hook as possible and leave it in place; catfish are tough and the hook will typically rust away or be expelled over time. Always handle the fish with wet hands or a wet towel to protect its slime coat, and if you’re practicing catch-and-release, make sure to return it to the water promptly.

Here are the steps to safely unhook a catfish:

1. Secure the Catfish: Firmly grip the catfish by its lower jaw using a pair of pliers or a fish gripper. Be cautious of the sharp spines on its dorsal and pectoral fins.
2. Assess the Hook Position: Determine whether the hook is easily accessible or deeply embedded. This will help you decide the best removal method.
3. Remove the Hook:
   • If the hook is shallow and accessible, gently push it back through the catfish’s lip or mouth to remove it.
   • If the hook is deeply embedded, use long-nose pliers to carefully extract it. If it’s too deep to safely remove, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
4. Handle with Care: Wet your hands or use a wet towel to handle the fish, which helps protect its slime coat.
5. Release the Catfish: If you’re practicing catch-and-release, promptly and gently return the catfish to the water.

Following these steps will minimize harm to the catfish and ensure a safer experience for both the fish and the angler.

Do Catfish Spines Sting

Catfish skin toxins and the venom from their dorsal and pectoral spines may cause a menacing sting. Although Catfish stings are often innocuous, severe tissue necrosis may occur. The hand is the most common site of catfish stings they are hard to hold.

As soon as they puncture the skin, the catfish’s venom is released to cause an excruciating amount of pain to the angler. If there are two parts to watch out for on a catfish, it is these two fins, not the whiskers.

The Catfish have whiskers protruding from the area around the mouth but these are not stingers as some people think. These barbels are filled with sensors that catfish use to taste the food before it enters their mouth and to smell out their prey in murky waters. They are not used for protection.

Catfish are often found in muddy rivers, streams, lakes, and on beaches in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. Catfish fish are not aggressive. The chances of you catching one are pretty good, so the best way of getting a catfish on your hooks should be common knowledge for Catfishing.

Remember, The smaller the Catfish the sharper the spines on a catfish’s body. Bigger older catfish have duller fins or spines but can still hurt you.

How to Treat a Catfish Sting

According to WebMD: People who are stung by catfish are usually fishing or bathing when they make contact with a catfish, usually by stepping on it. Both salt- and fresh-water catfish are dangerous. Each has 3 spines and a stinging apparatus.

• Immersing the affected area in water as hot as is tolerable usually relieves pain from a sting.
• Spines should be removed with tweezers.
• The wound should be scrubbed and irrigated with fresh water.
• The wound should not be taped or sewn together.
• Pain associated with a catfish sting may be relieved with 1-2 acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours and/or 1-2 ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours.
• When You can-See a Doctor-See the Doctor

If you are camping in the wilderness and get any medicine or doctor then you can try an Old Fisherman’s way of dealing with a catfish sting. If poked by a Catfish, rub the slime off the fish’s belly onto the wound it will help take the stinging sensation away a lot faster relief. I have heard of this solution plenty of times but never used it. It’s a good thing to remember if you are in the middle of a lake in a boat.

How to Hold a Catfish Without Getting Stung

Half the battle of dealing with a Catfish is getting him off your hook. The proper grip is the first and most important step for removing the hook from this common fish. Anglers often use a specific grip to handle catfish, such as the lip grip, to avoid the pectoral and dorsal fins completely. This is typically all that is necessary to prevent injuries from these fish.

The best fish grip to use is made by the Japanese called the DRESS Grasper Gurkha Fish Grip Black Body it’s light and a great tool for fishing. Available through Amazon on MyWaterEarth& Sky. Great for salt or freshwater Catch & Release! With a tactical curved design and light, anti-slip processed handle, this fish grip assures a firm grip and safe landing for large game fish. It’s a great fishing tool for keeping your hands away from a fish’s mouth.

If you don’t have a Fish Grip and are fishing from off-shore then you need to position a Catfish or like most fish that are dangerous flip the catfish onto their back. Follow this video for the safest way to grab a Catfish and remove the hook.

Hold the Catfish with your thumb and forefinger directly behind the Pectoral Fins. Try and grab the fish from the belly so that your hand is safely away from the Dorsal fin. These spots directly behind the pectoral fins are like shoulder blades and are hard and not slimy like the rest of the fish so you can get a good grip on the fish.

How to Unhook a Catfish Without Getting Stung Tips

Many people I know who love to fish hate to catch Catfish because of the problem of getting them off the hook. What I found was that Catfish a great tasting healthy fish in clean water environments and worth the effort and skill to fish for them. Here are a few tips for taking a Catfish off the hook without getting stung.

• Hold the Catfish correctly as explained above-from the belly with thumb and forefinger positioned behind the pectoral fins- keeping control always.
• Use a Fish Grabber  on the Catfish that will hold the large or small fish safely from the lip safely
• Use hemostats that lock in place long enough to get down the throat of a Catfish or needlenose pliers to grab the hook
• Work the hook backward where it went in the fish’s flesh twisting the shank of the hook to work it out
• If its gut is hooked use protective fishing gloves to go inside the mouth to reach the hook in its belly

Conclusion:

Successfully unhooking a catfish requires patience and care, but with the right approach, it can be done safely and effectively. By using proper tools, handling the fish gently, and following best practices, you not only protect yourself from injury but also ensure the fish has the best chance of survival if released. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to fishing, mastering this skill will enhance your overall fishing experience and contribute to sustainable fishing practices.

JimGalloway Author/Editor

Reference:

WebMD-Wilderness Catfish Sting

Catfish Sting and Barbs: What You Need To Know

FAQ’s

1. How do I avoid getting spined while unhooking a catfish?
To avoid getting spined, hold the catfish securely by its lower jaw with pliers or a fish gripper, and be mindful of the sharp spines on its dorsal and pectoral fins. Wearing gloves can also provide extra protection.

2. What should I do if the hook is too deep to remove?
If the hook is too deep, it’s often safer to cut the line as close to the hook as possible and leave it in the fish. The hook will typically rust away or be expelled naturally over time.

3. Can I unhook a catfish with my hands?
Yes, but it’s recommended to use pliers or a fish gripper to minimize the risk of injury from the catfish’s spines and to provide better leverage when removing the hook.

4. How do I safely release a catfish after unhooking?
Handle the fish with wet hands or a wet towel to protect its slime coat, and gently place it back in the water, ensuring it’s upright and able to swim away on its own.

5. Is it better to use barbless hooks when fishing for catfish?
Barbless hooks are easier to remove and cause less injury to the fish, making them a good choice if you’re practicing catch-and-release.

6. What should I do if the catfish swallows the hook?
If the catfish has swallowed the hook, avoid trying to force it out, as this can cause significant injury. In such cases, it’s best to cut the line and leave the hook in place.

7. Do catfish feel pain when unhooked?
Fish have different pain receptors than humans, but they can experience stress and discomfort. Handling the fish carefully and unhooking it quickly can reduce any potential suffering.