We were catching bait on Sabiki rigs when it happened. A huge school of Spanish sardines and cigar minnows surrounded the boat, and our rigs, tied with multiple number 6 hooks, were bringing them in six at a time.
The only problem with these Sabiki rigs is that they are hard to control in the boat. Six small number six hooks on five feet of leader swing in the breeze, hooking anything with which they come in contact. And therein lies the problem.
As I finished removing the last cigar minnow on one drop, the sinker fell from my hand, pulling the rig past my fingers. The number six hook, driven by the inertia of the four-ounce weight, buried itself all the way to the shank in my middle finger.
Saltwater and fish slime have a rather painful effect on a wound. Add to that the fact that one remaining cigar minnow was kicking like mad on another hook, and you can understand why I was yelling so loud!
I grabbed my long nose pliers with my left had, grabbed the small hook at the bend and yanked and yelled as I jerked the hook free. I fished with a sore finger the remainder of the day.
I’ve have hooked myself, my fishing parties, and both of my sons during my fishing career. Each time it was accidental, and each time it could have been prevented.
I have also been hooked a number of times by other anglers in my boat. My father was one of the worst offenders in this arena, having hooked me in the head, ear, shoulder, and just under the eye over the years.
In all of these cases, carelessness or being in a hurry caused the accident to occur. In all of these cases, the accidents were avoidable and preventable.
Some basic rules to follow – as simple as these may sound – include, looking behind you before you cast! I hooked my oldest son in the head above the left ear with a Dalton Special. The trailing treble hook buried two barbs all the way to the shank. I simply did not look behind me before I cast. I assumed he was on the other side of the boat. And we all know what assume means.
Take your time. In all that you do aboard a boat of while fishing, you need to take your time. Rushing causes accidents.
The most common fishing injuries on record, according to the AMA involve fishhooks, and today’s lazar sharp hooks are even more menacing than those of ten years ago.
Should you find yourself involved in a situation involving a buried fishhook, there is hope. The Texas Gulf Coast Fishing site has some simple hook removal techniques. But be advised and heed this warning: Never try to remove a hook that is close to an eye or that may have penetrated an area close to an artery. If one of these scenarios happens, it’s time to head back in and get to an emergency room.
Oh, and the Dalton Special I buried in my son’s head? I cut the treble off the lure, and he begged me to keep fishing. He wanted to just go by the hospital on the way home. This is from a 12 year old with two arms of a treble buried in the side of his head and blood running down his cheek. His reasoning was pretty simple – “But Pop, we’re on fish!”
