If you get a fishhook in the eye or in this region, do not attempt removal. Cover your eye with a patch and seek professional medical advice as quick as you can.
Fishhooks embedded in other parts of the body need to be assessed before removal is attempted. Consider, the size of the hook, number of barbs, proximity to blood vessels and nerves and wether bones and tendons will be affected.
The four main techniques of removal are:
1. Retrograde
2. String yank
3. Needle cover
4. Advance and cut
A combination of these methods may have to be tried to find the one most suitable. Superficial injuries may be attempted with no anaesthetic. Try and keep the wound clean and use an antiseptic if possible.
I always carry a pair of strong wire cutters when fishing as these are invaluable for any mishaps with fishhooks. If using treble hooks, the cutters can be used to remove the other hooks by cutting the shanks, this will assist removal of the offending hook.
The Retrograde Method involves backing the hook out from its path of entry, it is only really suitable for barbless hooks, but is worth a try initially, however if barbed, the hook may catch on nerves or blood vessels. In this case another method is best.
The String Yank Method is similar to the principles of the retrograde method. A piece of string is attached to the bend of the hook (the bit between the shank and the barb). Pressure is then applied downward onto the shank while the string is pulled. Not advisable to be performed on lips, cheeks or earlobes or where nerves and blood vessels are at risk.
The Needle Cover Method involves inserting a needle into the wound in alignment with the hook barb. The hook is then extracted similar to the string yank method. The needle is used to cover the barb and prevent the barb catching on tissue. A large needle with a large eye which can be used to cover the barb is best.
The Advance and Cut Method is probably the most widely used method of fishhook removal. Wire cutters or pliers are very useful with this method. If the hook is embedded near the skin surface the hook can be advanced through the skin until the barb is free. The point and barb can then be off cut with the pliers. The hook can then be backed out without the barb catching any tissue. If the hook has barbs on the shank then the hook needs to be advanced so the point and barb apperad through the skin. The eye is then cut with pliers. The hook is then advanced fully out.
With one barb
Multi-barbed
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