I'd be interested to know if there is a good reliable method.

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Wanted: A polarised monocle.

I always use barbless hooks. Never had a problem unhooking while the fish is still well in the water.

Do you use one of those hook release gadgets or just use fingers.

Alan

I dont own a net and reach down hold the fish and remove hook...then hold the fish until it kicks off.

Always carry a pr of artery forceps.no need to touch the fish.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Forceps. I can unhook a fish without even touching it, if it's struggling a bit to swim away i'll hold it till it's ready but very rarely have to

Bring your rod towards you and grab your line/leader,then lay your rod down on the ground,which benefits in two ways,saves hanging the rod, with a fear of it breaking the tip and 2, gives you a spare hand to work with,Then hand over hand,down the leader,till you reach the fish,hold head up with one hand on leader and take a pair of forceps with free hand and unhook while in the water.If your playing by the rules using barbless hooks, easy to do,fish swims away not been touched.This works even with barbed hooks also.

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Kevin

What if its belly up?....surely if not aided to swim away it could get out of reach and left in that position could die.

IMO I would not advise a beginner to do this. The amount of times fish kick just before unhooking resulting in snapped leaders is quite common. Don't see anything wrong with netting fish and keeping the net in the water before reaching down and unhooking the fish. The fish still hasn't been handled and leader and hook intact.

You must have seen it yourself Moray?

Walker

For the record,I have no problem with netting fish.and when boat fishing will always net.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.