Gotta agree with GregAndrew about the sculpin. They have a big ol' mouth and not much teeth, great for lip grabbing. I have never been stuck by a sculpin but when I was a kid I saw my dad take a spine in to his thumb while filleting one. I never will forget the sight of his swelling hand and the red lines moving up his arm. Don't be shy about giving them an agressive "hair cut". Dykes, pliers, needle nose will all work but if you're targeting them a pair of strong kitchen shears are best. Hold them by the bottom lip and cut of all the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fin spines. I don't do just the tips, I pretty much take the whole damn fin off. Do this as you land each fish, befor they get in your crotch, and you won't have to worry about getting stuck. Mike