| PROPER HANDLING TO ENSURE SURVIVAL |
| Written by Mike Walbridge - TeamIceHeave.com |
Catch and release is important for the future of fishing, but without being sure to properly play and
handle a fish, the chances of the survival of a released fish greatly diminish. Here are some
helpful tips to try and ensure these fish can survive.
handle a fish, the chances of the survival of a released fish greatly diminish. Here are some
helpful tips to try and ensure these fish can survive.
When you bring in a fish that has swallowed your hook, or has been hooked deep, it is best to cut
the line. Most fish will be able to break the hook down and survive for many years to be caught
again and again. If the hook is in it’s mouth, but the teeth are a factor, there are a number of
tools to help you in hook removal available today. Keeping these tools out in the open for easy
access, help to reduce the time needed in removing the hook and getting the fish back into the
water.
the line. Most fish will be able to break the hook down and survive for many years to be caught
again and again. If the hook is in it’s mouth, but the teeth are a factor, there are a number of
tools to help you in hook removal available today. Keeping these tools out in the open for easy
access, help to reduce the time needed in removing the hook and getting the fish back into the
water.
Good fishing, I hope to see you on the water.
One of the most important factors in the health of the fish is the amount of time that is spent â
€œplayingâ€� or “fightingâ€� the fish. A fish that is to be released should be played as quickly
as possible to limit the amount of stress placed upon the fish. A good way to make sure this is
possible is to have the proper equipment for the species you’re chasing to allow you to get that
fish in the boat, or on the shoreline, for a photo opportunity as quickly as possible and back into
the water. This includes a rod with the proper power, a reel with a quality drag system, and a
tough, durable fishing line.
€œplayingâ€� or “fightingâ€� the fish. A fish that is to be released should be played as quickly
as possible to limit the amount of stress placed upon the fish. A good way to make sure this is
possible is to have the proper equipment for the species you’re chasing to allow you to get that
fish in the boat, or on the shoreline, for a photo opportunity as quickly as possible and back into
the water. This includes a rod with the proper power, a reel with a quality drag system, and a
tough, durable fishing line.
The next factor involves the netting and actual handling of the fish. Fish have a protective â
€œslime coatâ€� to help them keep free of infections and fungus. It is important to prevent
damage to this protective layer. A landing net, laying a fish on the carpet of your boat, even
handling a fish with dry hands can cause damage. That’s right, something as simple as wetting
your hands before handling a fish can help ensure its survival. Most fisherpersons use nets to
bring fish into the boat. Using a rubber net, knotless net, or coated net are all great options.
When it comes to holding that trophy up for the photo, it is important to support the weight of the
fish. When handling a Walleye or Northern Pike, grip the fish with one hand beneath it’s head
while placing your other hand roughly 2/3 of the way down it’s body. The same is important for
Bass, where most will have one hand gripping it by the lip, and then your other hand in the same
area supporting the fish’s weight. It is fine to grip a fish by the gill plate, being careful as they
are extremely sharp, as long as you keep your fingers out of the fish’s gills. The gills are the
most sensitive area of the fish and damage easily. When handling a fish in this manner, it is still
important to support the weight of the fish.
€œslime coatâ€� to help them keep free of infections and fungus. It is important to prevent
damage to this protective layer. A landing net, laying a fish on the carpet of your boat, even
handling a fish with dry hands can cause damage. That’s right, something as simple as wetting
your hands before handling a fish can help ensure its survival. Most fisherpersons use nets to
bring fish into the boat. Using a rubber net, knotless net, or coated net are all great options.
When it comes to holding that trophy up for the photo, it is important to support the weight of the
fish. When handling a Walleye or Northern Pike, grip the fish with one hand beneath it’s head
while placing your other hand roughly 2/3 of the way down it’s body. The same is important for
Bass, where most will have one hand gripping it by the lip, and then your other hand in the same
area supporting the fish’s weight. It is fine to grip a fish by the gill plate, being careful as they
are extremely sharp, as long as you keep your fingers out of the fish’s gills. The gills are the
most sensitive area of the fish and damage easily. When handling a fish in this manner, it is still
important to support the weight of the fish.
Last but certainly not least is introducing that fish back into the water. It is important to revive
the fish rather than just throwing it over the side of the boat or back into the stream. Hold the fish
by the stomach into the current on a river, or if you are on a lake, away from your boat. If you are
drifting, hold it in the opposite direction you are drifting. The process is the same when trolling. If
you are stationary, gently move the fish back and forth. It is important to be sure the fish has no
obstructions in the direction it will be swimming. Be prepared to let go of the fish as soon as it
makes an attempt to swim away. If you follow these guidelines, it won’t take long for the fish
to be prepared to return home.
the fish rather than just throwing it over the side of the boat or back into the stream. Hold the fish
by the stomach into the current on a river, or if you are on a lake, away from your boat. If you are
drifting, hold it in the opposite direction you are drifting. The process is the same when trolling. If
you are stationary, gently move the fish back and forth. It is important to be sure the fish has no
obstructions in the direction it will be swimming. Be prepared to let go of the fish as soon as it
makes an attempt to swim away. If you follow these guidelines, it won’t take long for the fish
to be prepared to return home.
A lot to remember, I know, but as with anything else practice makes perfect. Try to improve your
time needed with each fish you release keeping these tips in mind. Under most circumstances, one
should be able to land the fish and return it to the water in one minute or less. All of these factors
become all the more important as we continue into the dog days of summer, as the temperature
changes these fish go through alone greatly impact their stress level.
time needed with each fish you release keeping these tips in mind. Under most circumstances, one
should be able to land the fish and return it to the water in one minute or less. All of these factors
become all the more important as we continue into the dog days of summer, as the temperature
changes these fish go through alone greatly impact their stress level.