Utilizing live baitfish to catch game fish in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina is highly effective. Whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater, live bait is effective. Bait, which is handled, is less likely to survive than removing a hook without touching the fish. Fish dehooker tools serve this purpose. Here is what to know about a fish dehooker tool. 

What Is A Sabiki Dehooker

A sabiki dehooker tool is a handheld device the allows the hook sabiki hook to be removed from the fish without grasping the bait. 

Sabikis are multiple hook rigs bounced from a pier, dock, or boat to catch up to fourteen baitfish in a single drop.

The tool removes the hook from the bait with ease rather than prying it from the mouth of the fish. 

How Do You Use A Sabiki Dehooker

Dehookers are simple to use. Hold the sabiki line with one hand and the dehooker with the other hand. 

Place the bent metal end in the rounded part of the hook between the shank and the point. Without touching the fish, align the bait above a live well. With a lifting motion, pull the dehooker up, allowing the hook to pull free from the mouth. Once the hook is free, the fish will fall into the aerated bucket. 

Never handle the bait during the catching process as it is less likely to survive. 

What Can You Do To Make A Fish Dehooker Last

Despite the tool being low in cost, it is essential to care for fishing gear. Gear that is well cared for lasts for extended periods of time. 

After a day on the water utilizing a dehooker, it is essential to rinse the piece of equipment. When catching bait in saltwater or freshwater, the tool must be doused in fresh water from a hose. Both scales and slime accumulate and become challenging to remove when improperly rinsed. Lastly, salt damages dehookers because of its corrosive nature, like any gear used in salt.

Ensure to allow ample time for drying before stowing to avoid moisture from remaining on the tool. 

How Do You Store Dehookers

Once the tool has dried and scales and slime are removed, stow the fish dehooker. The storage location is highly dependent on the vessel.

Trailered Boats

Trailered boats utilize tackle bags or boxes. The boxes are removed from the vessel after each trip. Create a bin that includes all necessary gear for fishing with live bait and keep the tool inside. Small boats are limited on storage space, and therefore fishing gear is pulled after each trip. 

Boats Dockside

Boats that remain dockside range in size from small to large. While small fishing vessels cannot store all fishing gear aboard, larger watercraft have the capacity. Take into account the pull out drawers on sportfishing vessels. Pick a location close to the live well for easy access when bait is pulled aboard by fishing sabiki rigs. 

Keep in mind that small fishing and large fishing vessels will have space for a dehooker tool, but it is essential to recall where it is left when baitfish are being pulled in at a rapid rate. 

How Many Dehookers Should You Have

The number of dehookers is highly dependent on the number of anglers and your risk of dropping and losing the tool over the side of the boat or from land and it sinking to the bottom. 

We recommend keeping a minimum of two dehookers on hand when salt or freshwater fishing for bait. 

When handling fish, slime transfers making objects fall easily from your grip. Rather than keeping one tool on board, keep a couple. Baitfish do not survive when handled compared to being dropped in a live well utilizing a fish deehoker. 

Consider buying a fish dehooker with a wristband. The wristband will prevent the dehooker from falling in the water. 

Where Can You Buy A Fish Dehooker

Fish dehookers are available for purchase from multiple sources, including brick-and-mortar and online retailers. 

Local bait and tackle shops are likely to stock the tool. Make sure to ask if you don’t see them hanging from the shelf because they are small. 

Large retailers, including Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain, and West Marine, are likely to stock dehookers when any of these shops are local to you. 

We recommend the Hurricane dehooker, which is low-cost and highly rated for anglers catching baitfish. 

How Does A Fish Dehooker Cost

Dehookers are low in cost and range between five and twelve dollars. The investment pays off quickly when live bait remains more active, thus increasing the chances of catching game fish. 

Pick Up A Dehooking Tool Before Your Next Live Bait Trip

Pick up a fish dehooking tool before live baiting in fresh or saltwater through Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina. The tool keeps your bait spunky to attract fish. Dehookers are cheap and effective. Lastly, purchase a fishing license before heading out on the water.