Forum | When things go wrong

I too had to have  pills for the infection. Interestingly the doctor said you are more likely to get an infection in the wound from freshwater than in the sea. Perhaps the salt water doesn't harbour the same type or quantities of bacteria? Suppose it ties in with what  I was once told about marine aquariums, in so much as once you have the water chemistry right, the fish are less susceptible to diseases than those in a freshwater tropical aquarium .

I had an incident about a year ago whilst chinning a pike of about 8lb over the side of the boat. Having managed to avoid being impaled by the larger hooks on lures for years I managed to get one of the relatively small size 6 treble hooks from a deadbait trace buried in between my knuckle joint which was flying loose & driven in as the fish made a last bid for freedom. I was unable to do anything but wait until the thrashing ripped the hook out as the fish dived. It didn't blleed that much and I cleaned it and put a plaster on and carried on fishing. However, the following day I couldn't bend the finger and my hand swelled as it had become infected.At least it didn't cut the fishing trip short though

I recently spent 5 days on Lake Amistad near Del Rio, Texas. The first day, Wednesday, went well enough but that was probably the only trouble free day I had.

From Hwy. U.S. 90 it is eleven miles to the ramp. Recently the paving project was completed but prior to that it was a dirt road. Box Canyon road @ U.S. 90 is approximately 15 miles from the town of Del Rio. Thursday I leave the box canyon ramp and decide to head up towards the Rio Grande. This is about a 20 or so mile trip and I stop and fish at various points along the way. I'm catching a few fish here and there but nothing that would make it worth the long run. Eventually I get to where the Rio Grande is well defined as it enters the lake. Going into the back of one of the pockets I am looking for the lily pads I was told existed there. As I work my way back I'm tossing a fluke, steadily working my way back on the Mexican side of the lake.

Having made it to the back of this particular pocket I reel the fluke up to make another cast but it decides to hit the trolling motor cable, wrap around it 4-5 times while creating a half-hitch knot at the same time.  A bit preturbed by this I reach down to untangle the mess. Seeing which way the half-hitch was formed I toss the fluke over the cable. But…. the line decides to bind tight to the cable. I feel a slight sting where I thought the 3/0 Owner had pricked one of my fingers. I pull the line, which is still in multiple wraps around the trolling motor cable, up so I can remove the hook. It's then I discover the hook is buried up to the bend in my middle finger. No problem, I think, I'll just shove it on through, cut the barb off and be on my way. I begin to push it through and pain centeral reports that this plan ain't gonna work. I take a deep breath and try it again – NO… it ain't happening. Now what????

OK…. I'm 20 miles from the ramp. Then from there I'm another 25 miles to town. And I have a 3/0 hook buried in my finger. Not a pleasant situation. I had read about snatching a hook out of a finger several times in various magazines. I had never done it and never seen it done. But… with few optiois remaining I decided to try it. I cut the 1oz. jig off of my flipping stick and cut a piece of 50# braid to make a loop. Several times I tie multiple overhand knots and test it. They continue to slip. Not wanting to have the loop fail in the middle of this operation I decide to tie a blood knot(how appropriate) to form the loop. This is a tough enough knot to tie without a hook sticking out of your finger. With said hook in said finger it's just a tad more difficult. After about three attempts at it I finally cinch the knot down and it holds. Ok… I have a loop. Now all I need is the courage to do it. Don't know that I ever got the courage but I do know my options were right limited. Soooo… I place the loop over the hook, press my finger down on the top of the gunnel to keep the hook flat. Then… place the fingers of my right hand through the loop, close my eyes and SNATCH. I don't feel much of anything. Thinking maybe the loop had come off of the hook I open my eyes to discover the hook laying on the deck and blood dripping out of my finger. What a relief – it's out. Now a band-aid to stop the dripping blood and I'm back to fishing. The finger never hurt and never gave me a problem after that. I don't ever want to have to do it again but it is a bit reassuring to know that if I have to… I can.