Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 10:07:02 AM
When catching and releasing fish there are a few dos and don'ts, and a few tricks that aid in a better survival rate. I am absolutely sure I will miss some, so please feel free to add, or comment.
......single barbless hooks tend to be the best
......Usually the use of bait is not considered catch and release and those fish
released are considered part of your daily catch
......There are special nets that are Kinder to the fish if a net is used.
......Try to limit the amount of time a fish is out of the water as the exposure to air
damages the fishes gills and the fish will swim off and DIE. Bouncing around inthe
bottom of the boat isn't exactly healthy for them.
......DO NOT touch the gills or they will be rendered useless and the fish will suffocate
......Try to use a glove or make sure your hand is wet before touching the fish to
prevent the removal of slime. The fish will possibly later die of either a bacterial
or fungal infection if this is not followed.
......Try to avoid holding the fish by its tail ONLY meaning holding the fish upside
down, and the pressure can sometimes kill the fish.
......revive the fish befor letting it sink to the bottom.
......limit th eamount of time you play the fish as they have a lactic acid build up
which is very detrimental to them. (Use a rod that is appropriate-I have been
guilty of this myself)
THese are just a few quick hints that I can think of. Again feel free to add. This is not a joke as we are trying to protect a valuable species. Obviously this tends to be more important or specific for some species than others, such as I think you can about cook a bass and then release it. :)
Post by: Coasthunterjay on June 22, 2008, 10:12:49 AM
Great pointers, i didnt know all those, learn something everyday!
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 10:18:30 AM
Post by: Bscman on June 22, 2008, 10:29:58 AM
A rubber net is the best net. Any type of cloth or "knit" net has the potential to damage the slime coat...and knots are about as bad as dropping the fish in a pile of gravel--especially older, stiff nets.
A rubber net is much easier on the fish.
The survival rate of fish caught with bait is very low...typically the hooks are "inhaled" and the likelyhood of getting a hook in the gills is fairly high--as is a "deep" hook clear back in the throat. These fish rarely survive, as a lot of damage is done with hook removal and they're typically out of the water for some time.
If you ever "gut hook" or "gill hook" a fish...you may as well consider him a keeper.
While he might survive long enough to swim away, he's not gunna make it long.
The reason WDFW made the "5 on bait and you're done, period" rule is because so many people were bait fishing and "grading" fish...the majority of the smaller fish that were returned, died from injuries. You could fish all day with bait, and catch 20 fish, but release 18 smaller ones. Odds are, 15 of the 18 released DIED. Great way to kill off a lake.
I've hardly lost any fish due to barbless hooks over barbed hooks. As long as you keep some tension on the line, the fish never seem to get away. When netted, the hook usually just falls out. Minimal handling and time out of water = healthy fish.
Also, if the fish gets wrapped up in around a log it's much more likely it'll work free. Nothing worse than breaking your line off, and leaving a fish stuck to a log!
As mentioned, always wet your hands before touching the fish.
No only do dry, chapped hands scrape off slime...but the oils and salts on your hand will harm the fish!
As far as reviving the fish.
Try not to pull the fish backward through the water. The belief is that this will "breathe for the fish." More than likely, it's overwhelming the fish and doing more harm than good. Lightly cradle the fish in the water--do not sqeeze the fish, or touch him any more than is necessary.
If the fish is going "belly up" when you release him...keep cradling him. If he doesn't get his equillibrium back before you release him, he won't have the energy to upright himself, and will die.
Post by: robodad on June 22, 2008, 10:37:20 AM
I have read and heard that a fish has some chemicals in their body that can dissolve a hook in just a day or so, Is that true or not ?? Might save a few more fish if we don't have to dig out the hook barbless or not !!
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 10:43:13 AM
Post by: Bscman on June 22, 2008, 10:47:43 AM
On a barbless hook, obviously, the chances of it falling free are much greater. Location will also be a consideration.
The ones I have a problem with are bait fisherman that "gut hook" a fish, cut the line at it's mouth, and let it go. I've caught a fish or two that have had their stomachs completely closed off by all three barbs of a treble "dough hook." No way a fish will survive that.
Post by: billythekidrock on June 22, 2008, 11:10:21 AM
Question : How much damage does it do to a fish if you just pull them along side the boat and snip your line off as close to the fish as possible without taking them out of the water ??
I have read and heard that a fish has some chemicals in their body that can dissolve a hook in just a day or so, Is that true or not ?? Might save a few more fish if we don't have to dig out the hook barbless or not !!
We always cut our lines and retie when they are caught deep.
The dissolving in a couple days does not hold true in freshwater, maybe in saltwater. I do know that we have caught fish with 2 or 3 hooks and the line cut off and they seem to be fine. I have also found hooks partially dissolved making it's way out the other end with no harm done to the fish.
Post by: jackelope on June 22, 2008, 08:15:58 PM
trout will calm way down if you flip them over on their backs, just like i learned a sturgeon would a couple weeks ago.
if you are c-n-r'ing, don't take the fish out of the water unless you really need a photo, then don't take it out till the other guy with the camera is ready and focused.
with the hook removed, hold the fish gently by the tail and under the belly...don't squeeze... lift the fish, take the pic and put the fish back in the water.
in some situations, it's illegal to remove the fish from the water...wild steelhead mandatory release for example. they must stay in the water. wild coho release-don't take them out of the water.
Post by: Coasthunterjay on June 22, 2008, 10:58:55 PM
Post by: bucklucky on June 22, 2008, 11:32:35 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on June 23, 2008, 06:51:39 AM
My buddy got read the riot act by a game warden this year. He watched him catch, fight and land a native steelhead . The game warden pointed out that first , he used a non - native safe fish net, 2 he lifted it out of the water only a couple inches. The Warden told him he knew deap down that it wasnt a true native but if he cought him up on the peninsula he would have ticketed him. The Warden was pretty much yelling at him The whole time. They are seriouse about that stuff and for a good reason.
Yeah, I appreciate the gamies checking on stuff like this, but yelling the whole time...? Maybe that gamie needs to get another job career started.... I always worry about law enforcement officers who cannot keep their cool. IMHO, a steady calm approach would be better. Sometimes a whisper is remembered better than screeching. Law enforcement in a situation like this is more of an education of the sportsman, and should be done respectfully.... Not writing a ticket so you can tear someones head off is not appropriate. The message about taking care of the fish is lost.
Post by: bucklucky on June 23, 2008, 08:26:16 AM
Post by: Antlershed on June 23, 2008, 08:36:24 AM
in some situations, it's illegal to remove the fish from the water...wild steelhead mandatory release for example. they must stay in the water. wild coho release-don't take them out of the water.You can still get some pretty good pictures of them while obeying the law and being careful of the fish.
Post by: Antlershed on June 23, 2008, 08:37:03 AM
From what everyone I know that has had the opportunity to "Deal" with him all say the same about the guy, not very nice at all .Are his initials G.H.? :)
Post by: tlbradford on June 23, 2008, 09:03:28 AM
sometimes you can do it just right and they still go belly up down stream. Thats with fish hooked in the corner of the mouth with no barbs , just leaving it in the water and grabbing the hook with my plier .
Most likely from the lactic acid build-up that was described above. If you fight them until they roll over on their side, you usually must take some time to revive them until they swim off under their own power.
Post by: bucklucky on June 23, 2008, 10:26:24 AM
Post by: tlbradford on June 23, 2008, 10:30:53 AM
Post by: Antlershed on June 25, 2008, 04:50:58 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv336%2F4tacxoma4%2FFishing%2520and%2520Hunting%2FDSC03076.jpg&hash=b21e44a7836a9d764895d3d3369e8b95c6fabe64)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv336%2F4tacxoma4%2FFishing%2520and%2520Hunting%2FDSC03080.jpg&hash=67b7a58de0134662f769c9a23e31d72c291cffda)
Post by: MountainWalk on June 28, 2008, 08:05:49 PM
Post by: Gobble on June 28, 2008, 08:50:06 PM
My buddy got read the riot act by a game warden this year. He watched him catch, fight and land a native steelhead . The game warden pointed out that first , he used a non - native safe fish net, 2 he lifted it out of the water only a couple inches. The Warden told him he knew deap down that it wasnt a true native but if he cought him up on the peninsula he would have ticketed him. The Warden was pretty much yelling at him The whole time. They are seriouse about that stuff and for a good reason.
Yeah, I appreciate the gamies checking on stuff like this, but yelling the whole time...? Maybe that gamie needs to get another job career started.... I always worry about law enforcement officers who cannot keep their cool. IMHO, a steady calm approach would be better. Sometimes a whisper is remembered better than screeching. Law enforcement in a situation like this is more of an education of the sportsman, and should be done respectfully.... Not writing a ticket so you can tear someones head off is not appropriate. The message about taking care of the fish is lost.
Do you remember the gammies name? My wifes uncle is a gammie, I may know him...Hell it might even be him :chuckle:
Post by: KillBilly on June 28, 2008, 09:24:08 PM
Post by: PolarBear on June 29, 2008, 12:02:09 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on June 29, 2008, 04:17:19 AM
When in doubt, practice "fillet and release"! ;)
Belive it or not but that phrase and practice was introduced to my by a WA DFW employee and a low level manager. :yike:
Post by: Antlershed on June 29, 2008, 01:17:27 PM
Sounds like Greg HaawSeems like he is pretty well known around here....