D-Hook

D-Barb Fishing Hook Remover Tool Review (with how to video)

Have you ever gut-hooked a fish? I have and it doesn’t feel good as an angler. You only have a few choices. 1. you can cut your line and hope the hook rusts out before the fish dies of starvation. Or 2. you can pull it out which will probably kill the fish. I found a new tool that makes removing the hook in a way that will give the fish a much better chance of survival. It’s called the D-Barb D-Hooker and Line Cutter, you can also find it on Amazon here.

Today, we are going to take a closer look at the D-Barb Hook Remover. Good for the fish but bad for this review, I have not gut-hooked a fish since receiving this new tool.

D-Barb D-Hooker Overview

So mentioned above, the tools main purpose is to remove hooks from a gutted fish to make recover time much faster.

How it works

When your hook is stuck in the belly of a fish, it is most likely not coming out without destroying the intestines. The D-Barb D-Hooker has a sharp steel cutter that allows you to cut the barb of the hook allowing you to pull the hook out without the barb. Once cut, the built in magnet catches the barb and it comes out with the pliers not leaving any sharp metal in the fish. Check out the video below.

The size

The D-Barb pliers are quite long allowing you to use these on larger fish along smaller fish. Though they may be a little big for small blugill. Since mostly fish for large catfish, carp and bass, this will be a good tool to have in the tackle box.

The Quality

Not too much to say here besides that the main material the tool is made out of is stainless steel. This should gove you years of use if you take care of them. I’m not sure what the handle material is but I believe it is some type of rubber.

The D-Barb also comes with a sheath though I believe it is lacking a bit. It does fit well but I don’t see anytime that I would put it on my belt. I just will not use it that much. I placed it in my tackle box where it will be when needed.

Does it Work?

So, we know it made of quality stainless steel but will it cut a hook? Let’s find out. In the below video, I will show you how to use the D-Barb hook remover and test how it cuts a few different quality hooks. We will also try them on different types of hooks.

As you can see in the below video, we tested the D-Barb tool one three different quality hooks. From thin bluegill hooks to thick catfish hooks. This tool cut with ease through all three.

Testing the D-Barb D-Hook Hook Remover Tool Video

So Why Use This Tool?

When you gut-hook a fish, your only real choice is to cut your line leaving the hook in the fish. Trying to remove a barbed hook from a fishes belly is a death sentence for that fish. The chances of you getting it out of the fishes intestine and that fish surviving is slim to none.

Everyone has been told, “cut the line, the hook will rusk out”. This is true in most cases. But unless it is a thin cheap hook, the fish may die of starvation before it completely rusts out.

By getting the hook removed properly, you are giving the fish a much bigger chance of recovery and to fight another day. Being outdoorsmen, I take conservation seriously as I hope you do the same.

Another use, remove hooks from yourself!

Photo: YouTube Yea, I know it’s nasty!

While playing around with this tool, I though of another use the D-Hook can be used for. Remembering back from when I was a kid, getting hooked SUCKS! It has happened more than once between myself hooking myself to my younger brother sinking a hook through my shoulder. This topic has always made me skirmish.

You think this doesn’t really happen to people? Search photos on Google. Heck, even a hospital in Canada has a wall of shame strictly on hooks that have been pulled from fishermen!

Having the D-Barb tool in the tackle box can save you from turning your finger into something that looks like hamburger or needing for that trip to the E.R. to have it surgically removed. Having three kids of my own, having this around gives me a little piece of mind!

The Bottom Line

The D-Hook tool is not something you will use on a regular bases (unless you don’t know how to set a hook). But, having it in the tackle box gives me piece of mind knowing I’m prepared. Doing what we can to be responsible fishermen is worth the little price these cost. Since I look at it as part of my first aid kit, it’s just that much more valuable.