Ive heard similar. Not that its a few days, but moreso that the fishes hooked part will have a better chance of healing than, for example, ripping out a stuck or barbed hook.
So whether it works its way out on its own, the fishes body starts healing and pushes it out, or it eventually degrades and falls out, the fish has a chance of survival.
But plan A is definitely to get the hook out, but if its too stuck, then cutting the line can be plan B. Its not a guarantee, but gives them a chance.
In this video, there was definitely some time with how long he was wrestling it with it trying to bite him, I would have definitely just cut the line.
They can rust out in just days, especially in the ocean. That’s a bigger hook though, so probably a little longer. But the fish can shake the hook much sooner.
It's not true. Most hooks have a coating that prevents corrosion. Some ethics minded shark fishermen will scuff away some of that coating so that the hook will rust, but it still takes a while.
Specifically high carbon content steel, not stainless steel so they can actually rust out and fall out on their own/with some help from the fish. Salt water from the ocean also helps it rust much quicker.
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u/phantom_esque_ Mar 27 '26
Is this really true? I find it hard to believe that most fish hooks would degrade in a matter of days rather than months or years.