I was doing a little fishing off a buddies dock out at Wabamun last weekend, we were catching some little hammer handles so they were easy and fast to bring in.
My question is, when there isn't a big fight bringing the fish in where you tire it out, is there away to hold a pike (or any fish) that relaxes them so they don't flop around while taking the hook out or when you are trying to take a quick picture?

Grab them under the jaw, and slip your fingers inside.  You won't touch the gills and on smaller fish you can hold them there and easily remove the hooks.  Have jaw spreaders handy so you don't have to mess around.   


Chris K   

humain jaw spreaders too please !!!! i hate seeing guys that dont know how to use the damn things and bust a hole through the upper and lower jaw because they forgot to lock it in place ive watched way to much fish die that way

Agreed I bought a cheeap pair and didnt like the pointy metal tips I duct taped a small chunk of towel on the tips give the fish a bit of a break. I always found it funny watching these pros on tv. When they catch a decent fish they like to be huggy snuggy and put it back so nicely, but if it's just a small one they just toss it?