Balckfish Dead or Alive

[Rubberhead]

This may open a can of worms. Due to the anatomy of a Blackfish does anyone have an idea of the mortality rate of all these catch and release Blackfish? Just wondering if we are harming our fish stock, esp. the big breeders.

[Solemate]

Nope Very hearty fish

[Gerry Zagorski]

One of the heartiest fish for sure. Best thing to do is not handle them and use a de hooker.

[tautog]

Water under 90 feet, very low mortality. Over 90 feet, it depends on how quickly you reel them up. If you go slowly after the first 20 feet, they are usually just fine.

[dales529]

Very hearty fish and once AGAIN, recreational fishermen do very little to harm an entire stock, Same goes for Fluke where the perceived 10% mortality rate on throwbacks. It may have been an issue in the past (1970's 1980's) on many species but not any more given the knowledge, skill and tackle currently used. Please refrain from giving NOAA more ammunition to reduce our quotas on all species

Tog C&R is a fun and valid sport with no harm to the stock when you look at the boats and anglers that really do it

[SaltLife1980]

I did and Catch and Release trip on Sat with Tagged fish and all the fish swam away happy. Second they hit the water they were right back to the bottom.