There was a thread a while back about a hook removing device made from wooden dowel and a large cup hook. In my opinion, this works much better than trying to tail a thrashing fish next to the boat. I have been using this device for releasing salmon in salt water for a few years now. To make it, I use a 3' length of 1" dowel, and a large screw in cup hook that can be purchased at any Home Depot or Lowes etc... All you do is grab the leader, slide the cup hook down the line to the hook, and give a gentle tug. 99.9% of the time, the barbless hook comes right out with no need to touch the fish at all. For the other .1% just cut the leader as close to the hook as you can. The fish always swim off strong, and they're never netted, touched, or taken out of the water.