Finned what did I do wrong?

Question
I am 14 years old and a day or so ago my dad and I were fishing of a pier in Port Aransas, Texas and then I suddenly hooked into a catfish and I reeled him in. Later on when I was removing the hook my dad was right with me, I got the hook out  and was about to let him go but then I don't know what went wrong or if my hand slid or something but I got stabbed through one of my hands when I  was letting him go. Man did it hurt! What might have I done wrong?

Answer
Sorry I hit the wrong button.. did not mean to not answer you.
The hard thing about this question is I was not there to see how you handled the fish. Even the best guides get finned or get a hook in their hand. President Bush the first managed to get a hook in his hand while fishing with Guy Eaker a few years back. My guide I fish with in Canada was switching hands to take the hooks out of a pike and got finned.. then got a hook in his hand. A few minutes later I managed to hook myself. Fishing is a fairly safe sport.. but small mistakes can result in large pains. The catfish may have zigged when you zagged.. or since they are slippery you may have lost your grip. Best thing to do with catfish (Sailfin Catfish??) is to use a cloth to get a firm grip. I like to put the sail between the thumb and pointer finger and hold ONE side fin out with my middle finger. I do that with sailfins and with freshwater cats. I have not YET been stung but it could still happen. Be sure to get a tetanus shot if you have not had one. I have heard that the Sailfin catfish has a venom in its fins.. but I DO NOT KNOW THAT for sure. Be sure to check with a doctor about this finning.
Jim Dicken
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