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Posts: 2061
Location: Belgium | do you often use this tool? I haven't had to use one in the past 7-8 years or so. Usually I can hold the fish by the gill-grip (or how do you call it again?) so then the mouth is open and I can remove the lure without a problem. Occasionally I need to cut some hooks but better that than having to handle a fish too long out of the water.
what's your opinion on mouth spreaders? |
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Posts: 2060
Location: Appleton,WI | The only time I used one was in the fall when I had a 42"er inhale my crankbait and the whole bait and all three hooks were in as far as you can imagine.It helped keep the mouth open so i could do surgury the quickest.Great tool just dont use it much! |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I carry several very heavy duty models I bought in Canada. I feel they give me better control of the fish and allow me to get the hooks out safer and faster. |
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Posts: 2061
Location: Belgium | is there any difference (for the fish's sake) between the model that has a circle at the end of both legs or the model that has a bar with rubber nobs on the ends of that bar? I use the latter model and haven't had any problems with fish because of the rubber nobs. |
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | Divani,
No boat should be without one, you never know when you will need it.
It's the best way to get those hooks out when they are buried deep. |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | They are necessary if you are fishing alone, I can keep the fish in the water and remove the hooks promptly for a quick release. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I've got the large size and I've used them twice on big pike (since I haven't caught a big musky yet!). But I think they are a great tool that goes in the ol' "Esox Toolbox" along with the large net, the cradle, the glove, the long needle nose pliers, and the camera. I think they work great when you're working on a big fish in trouble. Makes for quick removal. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I agree with everyone else, I have them in the release arsenal but rarely use them. That one time a year that you do need them though they are priceless. |
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| Comes in pretty handy at work too, especially when the boss tries to chew your backside and bites off more than he can chew!:) |
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| I bought a pair and used them in Canada last Sept. when a pike inhaled a bucktail deep. I would not have gotten the lure back w/o killing that fish otherwise. One post I saw mentioned that they are useless on a 'ski over 30 lbs. Anyone ever find a heavy duty pair?, or have any experience with a large ski that needed a heavy spreader to get your lure back?? |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | I use mine when the hooks are buried deep. Handy device to help you release those fish. Especially when you are alone. 1 safety tip however, tie them to a boat cleat or some other non removable part of your boat. If the fish should get away from you just as the hooks have been removed you will undoubtedly save the fishes life by being able to get your jaw spreaders back. Have never seen one swim away with the spreader in it's mouth but it surly could happen. Tie a lanyard onto your pliers and hook cutters as well. Never know when you are going to drop them as well. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | Check out my lanyard setup on my tips and techniques page under catch and release tools. |
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