Interesting thread. How I play a fish is determined by the situation. With some tailwaters I fish you are forced to 7x in order to fool the trout. Therefore it must be a slower more gentle playing of the fish. With Bass or other warm water fish they are often less picky and I can use a heavier leader and bring the fish in more quickly. In all cases I try to convince the fish to give me some cooperation. When I caught my largest Salmon last summer I certainly took my time. I did not want to loose the fish.

Once the fish is in I try to use my hands to remove the hook if possible. If the hook is small and into the mouth I do use a ketchum release to assist in removal. The Dr. Slick's has never worked for me. Its too big and the forcepts part interferes with the hook removal part.

For salt water I use a tool that is like a screw driver with an S shape on the end. Very simple and effiicient.

jed