releasing fish

[Chrisper4694]

this is not going to be one of those arguments over keeping or releasing legal fish! I wish more people would release big fish but within regulations it's their prerogative.

I just want to put this up for the people who intend on releasing big fish. I've seen or heard of a few failed releases; people wanting to release big fish but failing. And i think the number one reason this is happening is this:

If the fight lasts long (light tackle, large fish, etc.) and you get it to the boat or shore and get the net around it....DO NOT IMMEDIATELY LIFT THE FISH OUT OF THE WATER.

Leave it in the net, unhook it in the water if possible. let it revive right away after the fight rather than pulling it out for a picture or measure and then trying to revive it after it's too late. as it sits in the net get you measuring tape pulled out and the camera ready.

give it a minute or so and then pull it out of the water and snap a few pics and the fish will honestly be out of the water for maybe a total of 20-30 seconds after it has revived already vs. 1-2 minutes immediately after it has already been spent by a long fight.

I know it's not exactly the same but think of it this way...if you just sprinted 100 yards would you want me to put a bag over your head immediately or would you rather me give you a couple of minutes to get your breath back before i put a bag over your head? haha.

[Paul N Skill]

Also pinch down the barbs on your hooks.

[bunker dunker]

that's why a fillet mine first.never have to worry about things like that.........
just kidding!!!!! makes good sense to take care of the fish so it can be released in good shape.

[Eskimo]

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Very interesting. I'll give this a chance if I should ever catch a big fish. :D

I'm usually so excited to get the fish out of the water that I never considered giving the fish a chance to recover from the fight before lifting her out of the water.

As I mentioned in another post, I'm getting into pinching down my barbs. I've found it does a lot less damage to the fish when you slide the smooth hook out without having to rip a barb back through the flesh. This is especially true when a fish is hooked deep in its mouth near it's gills and pharynx.


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[NickM221]

I always get some funny looks walking along the Passaic with my big landing net, but this is exactly why I do it. It makes the fish easier to land in some places where the banks get steep, and I like leaving the fish in the water without having to worry about him while I get my phone and release tools ready for pictures :)

I'm not too sure where it originally came from, but I think you guys might enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6GrJr6oVg

[Esox Luciano]

Great post and just in time for any upcoming esox contests!!!!

Just yesterday I saw the exact opposite of what Cris is saying.
HAVE PROPER TOOLS WHEN FISHING FOR BIG FISH!!

DON'T BE A PUSS IF YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS OR WHOLE BODY DIRTY!!

DON'T USE CHEAP FLUOROCARBON...USE STRONG STEEL LEADERS!!

DON'T CAST ANYWHERE YOU CAN'T LAND A BIG FISH...YOU LOSE A LURE & A FISH, THE FISH LOSES IT'S LIFE!!

Great points on the reviving of fish as well Cris, especially as the temps start escalating. Much more of a successful release if we take our time and apply all these things. I'm sure buzz can add some helpful tips as well.:)

[AndyS]

I went to a small landing net, works like a charm ! Not only is it better and easier for landing a fish, but it makes it a whole lot easier to take pics too.
Lost lots of nets going through the woods. This time I drilled holes in the wood and did a double lanyard.

[NJSquatch]

I know it's not exactly the same but think of it this way...if you just sprinted 100 yards would you want me to put a bag over your head immediately or would you rather me give you a couple of minutes to get your breath back before i put a bag over your head? haha.

Perfect analogy.....

I began to use your net/rest method on any fish that is picture worthy or that has gotten the lure deep and is going to require extensive surgery (especially those pickerel)

[Mikey topaz]

The failed releases happen because evreyone thinks they got a state record!!! If your gonna be out fishin for slobs u should have digital scale and a tape measure its not that hard. The lazy thing to do is just kill it and then weigh it in to find out its not as big as u think!

[Fred E. Goose]

this is not going to be one of those arguments over keeping or releasing legal fish! I wish more people would release big fish but within regulations it's their prerogative.

I just want to put this up for the people who intend on releasing big fish. I've seen or heard of a few failed releases; people wanting to release big fish but failing. And i think the number one reason this is happening is this:

If the fight lasts long (light tackle, large fish, etc.) and you get it to the boat or shore and get the net around it....DO NOT IMMEDIATELY LIFT THE FISH OUT OF THE WATER.

Leave it in the net, unhook it in the water if possible. let it revive right away after the fight rather than pulling it out for a picture or measure and then trying to revive it after it's too late. as it sits in the net get you measuring tape pulled out and the camera ready.

give it a minute or so and then pull it out of the water and snap a few pics and the fish will honestly be out of the water for maybe a total of 20-30 seconds after it has revived already vs. 1-2 minutes immediately after it has already been spent by a long fight.

I know it's not exactly the same but think of it this way...if you just sprinted 100 yards would you want me to put a bag over your head immediately or would you rather me give you a couple of minutes to get your breath back before i put a bag over your head? haha.

In the fall, I saw 2 young guys on Monksville get a decent muskie. They did it PERFECTLY as you state above. First they we're hooting and hollering as the one guy netted it. He kept it in the net, in the water as the one who caught it prepared a tape to measure it, and set himself up for a photo. He unhooked it in the net, grabbed it and his buddy took the photo. Quickly measured it, and then back into the water taking his time with the fish until it swam off on its own. Then they went back to hooting and hollering. I watched this whole thing, as I was getting my usual skunk, and couldn't help but smile for them. They were young (20's maybe even teenagers) and did it like pros. It was really nice to see.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Great post! We go through this every year! But obviously it needs to be pounded into anglers heads! Don't keep the fish out of the water for an extended period of time. Support the body of the fish! Don't let the fish roll around in the muck/ mud if your bank beating! There's plenty of do's and dont's but some people just don't think about it in the heat of the moment! Staying calm while landing a big fish is very difficult for some! It's self control and for most it comes with age. Very good advice on this thread on fish handling! Read it! Know it! We've lost quite a few trophy fish over the years do to mishandling and accidental catching! It happens but be prepared when it does! Good luck out there this year ladies and gents!

TIGHT LINEZ!!! :D

[Chrisper4694]

We are hooking wild animals, it's fishing after all. fish go nuts at the wrong time, i've dropped or accidentally mishandled plenty unfortunately, stuff happens. but if we can release a few more big ones successfully we can see more monsters caught.

[JDTuna]

Great post! Awesome info here.

[AndyS]

Yup.

[NJSquatch]

I just picked up a ball ended mouth spreader. Alot less injury to the fish than the spreaders with the hooks/barbs on the end.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/njsquatch/MouthSpreader_zps7vulrmgl.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/MadBite-Ball-Mouth-Spreader-Fishing/dp/B015XMSWA4

[UglyStick]

An oldie but a goodie, always worth a re-read...

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76805&highlight=muskies

[Chrisper4694]

Yup.

I'm kind of hoping this isn't true because if you've ever seen a bass contest...that's a lot of dead fish...

[Capt. Lou]

Trout are very fragile if they are played out , I've landed numerous of big stream trout & try not to take the fish out of water ! I do not beach big trout unless I'm forced to by location. Usually wade in mid thigh & swim fish to my boots , seems to calm them . I support them under belly & extract hook if possible with my hand or hemo if required . I strictly fish lures so,many may have trebles which I crimp down barbs to facilitate de hooking .
Generally the fishes head only may be out of water while extracting hook but for short time only thus he can breathe again qiuickly.
Once hook,out hold him against boot leg until,he wants to go , I try to,swim them into slow water so they can further rest .
Last fall had a big bow stay near my boots for at leasst couple minutes before swimming back out into riff.
Also with the correct UL tackle U can best big fish quickly if u learn how . I use nothing but 3 or 4 lb line & can beat most fish as quickly as with heavier tackle, probably quicker due to the taper / length of my rods !
I've only had to keep a handful of these big girls due to very deeply hooked or simply fought so hard they could not be brought back .
It happens I've had couple of 8# plus bows actually beach themselves .
I fish trout hard well over 100 days per year in search of big girls U just never know when the one strikes , it's really exciting since it's not really a strike but they just engulf a lure much like a tarpon ! They deserve to live & handling correctly can insure this for perhaps another angler to enjoy.