Re: releasing fish
 

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

Re: releasing fish
 

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.

Re: releasing fish
 

Great post! Awesome info here.

Re: releasing fish
 

Yup.

Re: releasing fish
 

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/...ps7vulrmgl.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/MadBite-Ball-M.../dp/B015XMSWA4

Re: releasing fish
 

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

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/show...hlight=muskies

Re: releasing fish
 

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...

Re: releasing fish
 

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.