catfish lure problems

[jolt8me]

http://www.stopperlures.com/images/catworm.JPG

I use these to fish for catfish. The problem is when i catch a smaller cat that i would rather release than keep. When i catch them the bait is all the way down their throat and i cant find a way to retrieve my lure and release the cat without killing it. Any ideas or tips?

[Razoreye]

Cut and swallow. That's what I do unless it is a realllllly good bait that I want to keep.

Get a pair of extra long needle nose pliers (usually fishing stores have them) that can reach way down. That works many a times.