Tools

Unhooking Kit You Must Have

The minimum kit is a pair of long-nosed forceps, a set of proper side cutters that will go through a treble if you ever need them to, and an unhooking mat. With a pike in the net in the margins, lay everything out before you lift it, use the chin grip under the gill cover to open the mouth, and the hooks come out quickly and cleanly. Cutting a hook is always better than pulling at one. Rinse your tools, keep the cutters sharp, and if you’ve never unhooked a pike before, ask — we’d far rather show you in the shop than have you working it out on the bank.