I don't know if pushing anything through or around the gill plates is a good idea IMO.
If I have a thrasher, I keep him in the water, use my lip grippers, turn the fish upside down so it calms down, and use pliers in the other hand to get the hook out.
Rarely do I lift the fish up out of the water and never place my hands in the gill plate (never-mind poking my hands through the gills).
Again, not ideal, I'd rather just like to use pliers and pop the hook out without the fish leaving the water or me touching it or lifting it - but there are times when you need to control the head in order to quickly and effectively release the fish.
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