Ethical Striper Releases - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Billfish715 · #1 11-01-2020, 07:59 PM

With the appearance of so many trophy stripers showing up and with the size regulations that are now in place, many, many stripers have to be let go. I understand the method of holding the fish by the bottom lip and facing it into whatever current there is until the fish can bite down and the tail starts to move and the fish remains upright. That's possible from an outboard or private boat but what about the larger boats like party boats that have much more freeboard and greater distance from the rail to the water.? How are those fish properly released so they can survive? I know that many fish lately have been caught on jigs so there is less possibility of damage to the fish. What happens when the fish are caught with a snag and drop technique using weighted trebles. If a fish is hooked deeply with a weighted treble, that fish will die regardless of how carefully it is released.

If nothing else, maybe any follow up conversation will call attention to the predicament. What's your take on all of this?

Blind Archer · #2 11-01-2020, 10:29 PM

As convenient as it is to snag then let swim , a deeply hooked treble will injure and kill just as you've pointed out. An easy and effective alternative is to retrieve the bunker and switch it to a pole with a circle or j hook. Chosing where to hook the bunker also enables you to control where it swims. I have a small egg sinker pinned up the line to bring it to the bottom of the pod.

RBC67 · #3 11-02-2020, 08:03 AM

Snag and drop is supposed to end 12/31/2020

Gerry Zagorski · #4 11-02-2020, 08:35 AM

If you can't revive the fish by using your hand to hold it in the water because your too high off the water, use your landing net. Put the fish back in it and make sure it gets it's orientation back before you release it.

bigal427 · #5 11-02-2020, 10:13 AM

Fish should never be removed from the water. A good dehooker is all you need. I know a lot of fisherman want to get that picture of them holding up a big fish but it's worst thing you can do.

bunkatabunka · #6 11-03-2020, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfish715

what about the larger boats like party boats that have much more freeboard and greater distance from the rail to the water.? How are those fish properly released so they can survive?

To answer your question, they are being chucked off the side into the water. That's about all they can do. Watch the instagram videos being posted everyday.

I guess that's better than being chucked into a barrel on deck, as I assume some of the fish may survive.

BigRock44 · #7 11-03-2020, 09:26 AM

two things i make sure to do when i release...
1-make sure the fish gets back in the water QUICKLY.
2-use extra care with gills and eyes. i never put my hand inside the gills and i watch that the eyes don't get scraped or poked.
...with regard to a deeply hooked striper, i will cut the HOOK in half if i can get my hand and tool to reach it. usually not too difficult with a striper's large mouth and lack of teeth. better than just cutting the line and both parts of the hook will often slide out.

tjd24 · #8 11-03-2020, 10:46 AM

When circle hooks for stripers become mandatory, you guys should check out 3D Fishing Products "Ultimate Bait Bridle". They make it easy to rig up a live or dead bunker with a circle hook and they work great. They come in Large & Small. I used the smaller size with live snappers and peanuts for fluke. Less stress on the bait.
Pretty sure I got them from Amazon last year.

Billfish715 · #9 11-03-2020, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunkatabunka

To answer your question, they are being chucked off the side into the water. That's about all they can do. Watch the instagram videos being posted everyday.

I guess that's better than being chucked into a barrel on deck, as I assume some of the fish may survive.

Only the captains and mates can say for sure how many of the bass they release swim off when they hit the water. Big fish after a long fight and time on the deck and subsequent photos have a much more difficult chance of survival. A long piece of thin nylon loop strung through the mouth and cartilage and back to your hand allows you to hold the fish in the water while holding both ends of the string until it revives. Once it starts to kick, you release one end of the string and let it pass through the cartilage and mouth and the fish swims off.

bunkatabunka · #10 11-03-2020, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfish715

Only the captains and mates can say for sure how many of the bass they release swim off when they hit the water. Big fish after a long fight and time on the deck and subsequent photos have a much more difficult chance of survival. A long piece of thin nylon loop strung through the mouth and cartilage and back to your hand allows you to hold the fish in the water while holding both ends of the string until it revives. Once it starts to kick, you release one end of the string and let it pass through the cartilage and mouth and the fish swims off.

nobodys doin that on a party boat