Are these not one of the worst things in the world? So small, yet so damn painful. What's the best way to avoid these damn things? Not get snagged?

Carry one of those cheap brown gloves and put it on before you grab the line. It comes in handy for dealing with big cats if you hook into one as well.

i wrap around the rod handle end a few times then pull.

I have cuts where it sliced the cork.

better there than my hands.

Carry a 4" piece of 1/2" dowel rod in your tackle box. Saves the hands and gives better leverage also!

Uhhh, don't grab it with your hands? I don't know, works for me.

Point the rod tip straight at the snag, pull straight back till you either bend the hook or snap it. The hook, not the rod of course.