Perch

[JamesS]

When i take the hook out of the little uns, i get stabbed by the gill spikes. how do you stop this happening

[Viking Lord]

Hold them above the gills? i never seem to have this problem must be something i subconsciously do.

[madcaravanner]

Simple answer

as you hold the HOOKLENGTH simply slide your hand down the fish this stops both the gill covers and dorsal fins raising and stabbing you

[JamesS]

Yeah, but they flap around and they stab me

[Viking Lord]

Hold them firmly, but dont whatever you do use a towel, you will damage the fish.

i dont seem to have this problem either, if you put your hands straight onto their dorsal then it would reer up as it thinks your harming it!! thought that would be pretty straight foward

i never have the problem but if you do just put you finger at the start of the spikes and push them back against its back and put your hand over the spikes so they dont go up again and your fine

never had this problem but if its wriggling about hold it a bit firmer when unhooking it...i literally pull the perch through my hand gently which keeps all the spines etc together ..then to can unhook it without any harm to yourself or the poor perch