I like my thumb and hand.

Plus, I'm running out of healthy ones. So I have a question for you guys. Sorry; I'm sure you guys have beaten this question to death, but I don't want a treble hook buried in my thumb or hand.

From shore, I thumb my stripers, no big deal; I take care to not hurt them,,,too much. I release 90 percent of 'em. From the yak this morning, some semi-hot fish, with treble hooks stuck in the face, were eyeballing me as I was trying to lip 'em. Their intentions were wicked  , and twice I felt exposed hooks brush against my skin.

It seemed that the unstable platform of the yak, its spinning and no way to pin a fish, left me way to open to those hooks. What do you guys do? I hate nets. I'd never thought that a gripper was necessary. Now, I think I'm wrong, but what else? Do I need to change out every single lure to a single siwash? Say it ain't so.

http://www.thefishgripandmore.com/product/6256923%20B1

Here's what I use for handling rockfish...

http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/productdetail.aspx?id=lindyfishhandlingglove

I also always wear sun glasses when fishing. A treble hook in the eye will definitely ruin your day

http://www.thefishgripandmore.com/product/6256923%20B1

+1. Cheap and effective.