Catching sea bass in deep water question

[Anthony]

Is there a way to get those small sea bass to go back down after catching them in deep water?

[tjd24]

Buy a venting tool.
Read the directions and fish should survive.

Amazon sells them for @ $10.00.

[Foul Hook]

What he said. They work well.

[Gumada]

Keep a rod with a 12 oz sinker and a small trout hook. Hook the bass through the skin on the outside of the lip/mouth. Lower it down at least half way to the bottom, a good hookset releases the fish without much damage. No venting required...

[rwp2101]

I’m going to try that!

[Fishermancraig]

There are a few ways to ensure the seabass survival. One is preventative, the other is a treatment.

Preventative: One thing is to reel up slower. Just do a slow progressive steady crank up especially when u know it is a smaller fish u have on. A small crank allows the bass to adapt to the pressure change.

Treatment: I just use a sharp thin knife and i poke a small hole in their swim bladder. If you look down their mouth you will see their pink swimming bladder swollen. Just poke a small hole with a knife with a thin tip and you will hear the air vent. A small hole will heal quickly and they will be fine.

I get very sad when i see all these small seabass floating on the headboats.