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I have always made my own tool from a wire coat hanger. Cut a section that includes the end bend and use pliers to put a tight loop in one end then bend the other end around and form a handle. On my final day at the pier I usually give it to someone I have helped with the tool. I just make a new one on my next trip.
I am a fan of SS long nosed pliers; serves more than function.
Bo -
That's what I use now for the times that I catch hardhead catfish (usually fishing for whiting) I use the pliers to grab near the bend of the hook with the long nosed pliers and with a quick twist of the wrist, he's free without touching the catfish with my off-hand. I used to grab them on the underside, forcing their pectoral fins forward, but the pliers-solution is easier and more effective in avoiding the fins. If they swallow the hook, I just cut and retie. It's just not worth it to chance a fin-puncture (haven't had one for about thirty years!)
Catfish, skates, rays, little sharks, pomps, whiting, you name it. When we wade out to the longshore bar, they are heavy enough to stay in my pocket and not get wash out by waves, unlike sand fleas and shrimp when I tried to take them out with me.
We used to catch a ton of those on dead shrimp in the surf when I was a kid. We'd catch Whiting and Croaker too, but mostly hardheads. My dad taught me to take them off much like the method depicted above where you slide your hand up the fish under the spines, but we did it by grabbing the back of the fish and sliding our hand up behind the dorsal fin. I only got poked once, when I tried to grab one that was only 4-5" long. Still have a scar on my finger over 25 years later.
When t hey swallow the hook I just cut the line and tie on a new hook.
Official Home of the Safe Dehooker - Product Demo Video
I have 2 of these and they work great.