I've somehow managed to never have a hook past the barb.. until yesterday.
I was loading some rods in the boat.. had a dozen or so laying on deck. I grabbed one and moved it towards me. When I did, I grabbed the hook from a squarebill. I don't know how many nerves are in the tip of that finger, but it was incredible how bad it'd hurt when that hook moved just the tiniest bit. Got my wife to tie some braid to it and it popped right out. Strangely, it hasnt' hurt even the tiniest bit since it came out. My finger has been numb (feels like its asleep).
Ouch for sure.
Years ago, the finger pricks done to take blood samples always hurt because they were taken on the tip of my finger about where your hook went in. At some time later, I was getting my finger pricked and the person did it off to the side of the finger and I mentioned how it didn't hurt. He explained that this way he avoided the nerves that cause so much pain (maybe I'm a wuss). Seems like they are always done off to the side now.