Fish-Hawk.Net

I was out one morning last week annoying the wildlife on the lake* (seems to be my new purpose this year) and I actually landed a 2.5 lb largemouth on the spinnerbait that I was tossing. When I lipped him (or her) the hook did a self release and fell deeper into the fish. The hook ended up straddling one of the gills. I tried to move the hook to a spot between the gills but had no luck. As I lifted the fish higher I noticed that the hook had actually fallen deeper again and was now visible outside of the gill plate. I cut the line and was able to slowly pass the spinnerbait through the gills and out the gill plate opening. No sign of any damage or blood and the fish swam away quickly when I put it back. My spinnerbait also survived the ordeal.

* That morning I was scolded by loons, scared a juvenile eagle off of its roost and got a loud tail slap from a beaver.

It is good the fish was released unharmed.
But why upset these poor birds? BA will be very angry

BM