How to Remove a Fishing Hook From the Leg

Fishing is an active participation sport, and as with any sport, there is the potential for injury. One of the most common injuries associated with fishing is embedded fish hooks. A barbed hook does not discriminate between the mouth of a fish and you. Your face, arms and legs are all fair game and may require different treatments. A fish hook in the leg, for example, can be a minor injury or an emergency situation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Gauze
Soap and water
Wound cleanser
Antibiotic ointment
Band-Aids
Ice
Wire cutters
Absorbent pad

Advance and Cut Method

Step 1

Evaluate the wound site in the leg. Determine if the barb of the hook has penetrated beneath the surface of the skin, and if so, how deeply. Also determine if the hook is embedded deeply to the point of affecting a tendon or other muscle tissue. Look for large amounts of blood coming from the injury that may indicate an artery is involved. If any of these conditions exist, pack the wound with gauze and go to an emergency facility.

Step 2

To remove a hook that has not penetrated the skin past the barb, gently pull the point of the hook straight out of the leg until it is removed. Clean the wound site with soap and water or other wound cleanser. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment and dress with a Band-Aid or other bandage.

Step 3

To remove a hook that has the barb embedded in the leg, first wash the area around the wound with soap and water or other wound cleanser. Also wash your hands thoroughly--you might consider wearing sterile medical gloves.

Step 4

Apply a cube of ice to the area around the leg wound. Leave the ice on the skin only long enough for slight numbing to occur. Be careful not to damage the surrounding tissue of the leg by allowing the ice to contact the leg for more than a minute or so.

Step 5

Hold the shank, or long section, of the hook and turn the point gradually toward the surface of the skin and push slightly to guide it out.

Step 6

Clip off the hook behind the barb with wire cutters. Pull the now barb-less hook out following the original route of entry. Thoroughly wash the wound site, apply antibiotic ointment and dress with a Band-Aid or absorbent pad and tape.

Tips & Warnings

If there is any doubt as to the depth or possible damage done by the hook, pack the wound and get professional medical treatment as soon as possible.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...