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Flathead release Tool
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 8:09 pm
by Gael Bataille
hey there all, could someone please post a photo of those home made flathead unhooking tools, would like to make one for myself.
Was out on the swan today and picked up a few flathead between the bream I was targeting, the small ones go balistic when you try and get the hook out.
Thanks
Gael
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:59 am
by DNYE
I usually just stick my thumb in their mouth and use my fly pliers to get the hook out. Just make sure you have gloves on as their teeth can do a bit of damage even though they are only small

Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:54 pm
by Hirdy
I haven't got a photo because I don't use one of these, but if you bend a coathanger into a very tight bend (say 5-8mm gape and 10 to 15mm long), you can use it to flick the fish off the line. Put the tight bend onto the tippet, pull tight so the bend in the coathanger goes to the bend in the hook and flick the fish off.
It should look something like
this.
Cheers,
Graeme
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 3:03 pm
by Spencer King
Can bring one to the club tonight if you want?
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:14 pm
by Gael Bataille
Spencer King wrote:Can bring one to the club tonight if you want?
That would be awesome, I'll also take a photo and will post it on the thread for anyone else.
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:41 pm
by Gael Bataille
Thanks to Spencer for bringing along the release tool, photo as promised

Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:30 pm
by Sean
Can't see the pic Gael.
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:29 pm
by Gael Bataille
Fixed, photo now working as intended.
The diameter of the bend appears to be about the same size as a pencil to give you a perspective of size.
My understanding is that you slip the tippet between the loop and push the tool down against the fly, this helps to release the hook.
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:54 am
by Sam de Beer
Guys, why don't you just buy a release tool - the Ketchum release tool is less than 10 dollars and it works like a charm.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ketchum-Rele ... _573wt_975
Re: Flathead release Tool
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 8:30 am
by Tony Ong
Those release tools came from the guides at Christmas Island. Holds sentimental value. For small fish like what we catch in an estuary environment, it's the perfect tool. I don't think I've had to touch a blowie since I got mine about 5 years ago.