“I’ve always used a hook/ loop type deal fashioned out of a coat hanger....hook it around the line right at the fish’s mouth and flip away from your body....catfish comes off every time and you never have to handle that sucker.....I’ve never been finned...ever.”
I’ve heard about the “flipper” thing but never tried it.
I always get a hardhead down on some flat surface, have an old piece denim pant leg, wad that up press down on fish real hard, use pliers to remove hook, then use pliers on lip of fish an toss back in water.
Works like a charm 👍