First Aid

• If only the point of the fishhook has entered the skin, remove it by simply backing the fishhook out the way it went in.
• If the barb has entered the skin and medical care is nearby, take the person to a doctor to get the hook removed. If medical care is far away, remove the fishhook using either the pliers or fishline method. If you cannot remove it easily, seek medical care.
• After the fishhook has been removed, wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap and water. Cover the wound with an adhesive bandage and watch for signs of infection (increased redness and swelling).

Removing Fishhooks with Pliers or a Fishline

Use the following methods only if you can’t get to a doctor within 24 hours.

Pliers Method

• Before beginning the pliers method, check to be certain you have pliers with tempered jaws that can cut through the hook. Cut through an extra hook to ensure the pliers work well enough. Use ice, cold water, or hard pressure to temporarily numb the area before beginning.
• Gently push the embedded hook farther into the skin until the point and barb come out through the skin. Using the pliers, cut off the barb and back the hook out the way it entered, or cut off the other end of the hook and pull it through. Although this method can be painful, it works if the proper pliers are available and the barb is not too deeply embedded to be pushed through to the surface of the skin.

Fishline Method

• Loop or tie a piece of fishline to the embedded hook near the skin surface. Immobilize the area where the hook is embedded and use ice, cold water, or hard pressure to temporarily numb the skin.
• With one hand, press down about ½ inch on the eye of the hook to disengage the barb. While still pressing the hook down, jerk the line parallel to the skin surface so the hook shaft leads the barb out of the skin.