catch and release tips and CONTEST!.....

[cowherder]

I have listened to the advice from some cool people here, and started fishing some rocks. I'm all set with korkers, am careful, but I notice quite a few small fish being caught. Guys just toss them back like tossing trash into a can sometimes.

That might work for small fish, but what if I get an actual cow, and want to release her? What works for you guys? thanks

[wish4fish]

get as close to the water as u can, keep an eye on the big breaking waves. lip carefully. when she slaps water in ur face leaving, u know she'll make it.

[stripercrazy]

It's important to run oxygen through her gills if she's really shot. Hold her (most big bass are female) carefully, watch for waves as said, and gently let the water flow through, keeping her positioned with the flow of the water.

If you don't do this, she might end up dead down the beach an hour later.

[plugcrazy]

I found this on the DNR site. Pretty detailed, I learned a lot from it.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries...h_release.html




Practicing Catch and Release



By Keith Lockwood

True sportsmen can often be described as someone who enjoys the entire outdoor experience that they are participating in. A big part of being able to enjoy ones self when experiencing the outdoors is to be prepared for the activity you’re involved in. Those of us fortunate enough to be mentored in our youth by a true sportsman or learning the “be prepared” motto in Boy Scouts have lived this lesson time and again through our lives.
Fishermen will always spend time before going fishing getting prepared, doing one’s homework, so when they do go fishing they can enjoy themselves. Few areas of a fishermen’s sporting life beg more for responsible preparation than when an angler is in the position of returning a fish unharmed back into the water. Fishermen have a responsibility to the fish, but also to other fishermen and the sport they love so much, since dead discarded fish can certainly be a problem for all.

Plan ahead

If you are going to be fishing whether it is freshwater or saltwater, most fish species are managed by seasons, size limits and creel limits. Study the rules and keep them handy for quick reference when out fishing. Keep a measuring device near by with size limits clearly and boldly marked on the ruler for quick size determination.

Be Prepared

Take a good look at your tackle and how you are going to unhook and return fish to the water. If you know that you might have to return under-sized or over the limit fish be sure to use stout tackle. It might be considered fun to catch fish on light tackle with a long fight time, but this unfortunately comes at the expense of an exhausted fish, that might not be able to recover. When fish are exercised to exhaustion, lactic acid builds up in the tissues of the fish from muscle function. This lactic acid in our own muscles is what makes us so tired from heavy exercise. In fish these increased levels of lactic acid can lead to a situation called acidosis where fish may reach a “point of no return” and can eventually die. Higher water temperatures cause this condition to be magnified and in the case of marine fish and estuarine fish, low salinities also make this situation worst. Tired and exhausted fish need lots of oxygen fast and to balance the ph of their blood. Cool, salty water is also very important to marine and estuarine fish, especially if the are large. In the case of striped bass, fish over 24” are at the greatest risk when caught and released in warm, low salinity waters. They may swim away, but studies have shown they can often die several hours later. Of the two water parameters, the water temperature is by far of the greatest importance. In a nutshell catch & release of large striped bass in waters over 70-degrees is not good. Responsible and ethical anglers will avoid this situation at all costs.
Once the fish is at the boat remember that the fish needs oxygen fast and the only way that is going to happen, is if water is flowing across the gills. Liken it to running the 200 yd. Dash and then being told to hold your breath for a minute by your coach. When a fish is brought to the boat or shore it must be unhooked and allowed to recover quickly. Things to think about are keeping the fish in the water while unhooking and making the unhooking process quick. Let’s look at some options that will speed this process.

Terminal Tackle

Consider squashing down the barbs on your favorite style of hooks on lures. If plugs have three sets of treble hooks, think about removing the front two and replacing the tail treble with a single hook. If you are bait fishing use circle hooks, they are a proven lifesaver for hooked fish. Set the hook immediately when using J style hooks. J style hooks when swallowed by fish can cause fatal injuries. Usually, when a fish swallows a baited hook deep into it’s stomach the action of setting the hook and reeling the fish in, will pull that hook forward. If the point of the hook is orientated ventrally or towards the belly of the fish it can cause serious and often fatal injury. The point of the hook can puncture the heart, liver or a major artery in that area. When this happens the fish bleed to death. Studies have shown that about 68% of fish hooked this way will die from trauma injuries to these organs. Hooks positioned at other angles in a fish’s stomach do not pose as much danger. Every effort should be taken to remove all fishhooks gently from fish, provided the angler has the proper tools. If the proper tools are not available for a gut hooked fish the angler is advised to cut the line and quickly return the fish to the water. The use of circle hooks solves all these problems since they almost always hook the fish in the corner of the mouth.

Removing Hooks

Be prepared! Have the tools you need before you go fishing and have them handy. There are many types of long nose pliers are on the market; your pocketbook only limits the choices. Pliers can mean the difference between having a hand injury and a speedy release. There are many types of dehooking tools on the market my favorites are the J style for lip hooked large fish and the Deep throat style for deep hooked fish. If you’re the least bit handy you can make a J style dehooker from a bicycle spoke and a 5-inch piece of wooden broom stick. Whatever device you choose to use, squashing the barb of the fishhook makes the whole process a lot easier. When dealing with sharks this is an absolute necessity, because of their tough mouth tissue. Kids young and old love catching sharks and since most must be returned unharmed a Deep Throat type dehooker on a long pole makes the whole process very easy. If you are unhooking fish like white perch, catfish or other prickly critters for children, you can easily just flip the fish quickly off the hook; easy for you and the fish. Freshwater fishermen and particularly trout fishermen have always liked using a pair of hemostats to remove hooks, especially flies. There are also other devices that resemble a forked stick kind of thing; they work well on deeper hooked fish. Whatever tools you choose, make sure you know how to use them and have them handy.

Landing a Fish

If you find that you must land a fish to control it better prior to removing hooks, use a soft small mesh net of nylon not the large mesh- size polypropylene landing nets so commonly used. This rough mesh tends to scuff off the slime on the fish, which can be very damaging to the fish, especially in warmer waters. The slime on any fish is its protection from bacteria and fungi that are very common in most waters and especially warmer waters. Striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay for example that have damaged slim layer areas can become susceptible to infections that will often show up as reddened spots or discolored areas. If a fish must be handled wet protective rubber gloves are the best, wet hands, or a wet towel are better than dry. Fishermen should also be careful not to allow themselves to be injured by fish spines. Mycobacterium or Vibrio are good examples of bacteria found in aquatic environments that can also affect humans. Placing a wet towel over their eyes and holding them down with wet gloves can calm fish. Letting a fish flop on the deck of a boat or in the dirt on the shoreline is the worst thing to do.
Using lip gripping devices or lip gaffs with larger fish can help control fish for speedy and safe hook removal. Large fish should not be hung vertically with these devices, since internal damage can occur to the fish. Instead they should be used to control the head of fish and not as a lifting device. Lifting fish by the popular hand lip grip so often seen can cause damage to the jaw muscles and joints of any fish. Never hold fish up by putting your hand in the gills if they are going to be released. If posing for a picture of your catch try to cradle the fish with two hands to support the fish better. Fish grow and live in a relatively weightless environment supported by the surrounding water. They are not used to the strains associated with being out of the water. Have the camera handy and make sure the photographer understands how to use the camera before the fish is brought to the boat or shore. Speed is the name of the game here, for the fish’s sake. Remember that statement about holding your breath after running the 200yd. Dash. When returned to the water, most exhausted fish can be held back by the tail and moved back and forth to get water moving through the gills. In the case of ram breathers such as tuna and marlin hold the fish towards the forward movement of the slow moving boat to allow water to flow through the mouth and over the gills.

Plan Ahead

• Know fishing regulations, minimum sizes and limits.
• Use heavy tackle and bring fish in quickly.
• Have dehookers, pliers, gloves, net, griping devices, and camera ready.
• Flatten barbs on hooks.
• Avoid catch and release of medium and large striped bass in waters warmer than 70-Degrees.

Handling Your Catch

• Keep fish in water if possible.
• Use rubber or soft mesh landing nets.
• 
  If you must handle fish:
  
  • Use wet protective gloves.
  • Do not lift fish vertically by jaw or gills.
  • Do not allow fish flop on boat deck or ground.
  • Hold fish horizontal with support.
  • Return fish to water quickly.
  
  
• 
  Removing the Hook
  
  • Remove hook whenever possible.
  • Have proper tools handy and know how to use them.
  • Be quick and careful.
  
  
• Releasing the Fish
  

  • Return fish quickly and gently.
  • Move exhausted fish slowly through water to force water through the gills.

  
  

[DarkSkies]

Thank you people......

After today's wild morning I was going to start a separate thread but figured we would just add to yours. Hope you don't mind I modified the title.......

I spent 1 1/2 hours reviving a very big fish caught by a younger angler this morning.
The guy was real thoughtful and careful.
Fish out of the water for about 2 minutes for the photo op after we saw he had a huge fish on and went to get ready to help him take pics.

So....no fault of the angler here...and please don't criticize anything he did...because I will delete your post.....

That 1 1/2 hour revival session took everything I had, and I put myself at risk to do it......

I don't have time to search the internet for C&R tips.
This was cold water.
This fish was not manhandled.
The angler is a good kid and deserves for deciding not to be a tackle shop hero...

He would have
1. gotten his name in the paper,
2. had internet bragging rights,
3. and possibly could have won some nice prizes...



But he decided to let this breeding fish go.....and it was a huge fish....biggest one I've ever held.........
He didn't know the fish would end up on her belly soon after the release......and I couldn't see letting a 30 year old fish die without giving it my best.....

[DarkSkies]

The CONTEST......


1. Search the internet for videos, photos, diagrams, and advisories on catch and release.

2. I prefer you do it with State sources, or National ones (like DNR, NOAA, ASMFC, MFA, DEP, Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute, to name a few)

3. Post here citing all sources by posting the URL of the origin giving full credit to the source (I reserve the right to edit posts if not appropriate for this site.)

4. The one with the most helpful posts, in this thread, at the end of Dec, 2013... wins a plug....

5. Contest ends DEC 31...
I would be most grateful if you folks would continue to add to this thread after that....












Thanks for your help, people.....

[DarkSkies]

But he decided to let this breeding fish go.....and it was a huge fish....biggest one I've ever held.........
He didn't know the fish would end up on her belly soon after the release......and I couldn't see letting a 30 year old fish die without giving it my best.....

The inspiration for this contest is contained in the following stories....
Please help us fill in this thread, folks.....I don't have time for it and offered those plugs as a little incentive....thanks....



http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...Story-and-Pics

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...Story-and-Pics

[captnemo]

This may not entirely fit the needs of the thread ds but the noaa put it out. Thought folks might find it interesting.



The Ethical Angler
? Promotes ethical behavior in the use of aquatic
resources.
? Values and respects the aquatic environment
and all living things in it.
? Avoids spilling, and never dumps any pollutants
on land or in the water.
? Disposes of all trash, including worn-out lines,
sites litter-free.
? Takes all precautionary measures necessary to
prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals,
exotic plants and animals, including live baitfish, into non-native habitats.
? Learns and obeys angling and boating
regulations treating other anglers, boaters, and
property owners with courtesy and respect.
? Respects property rights, and never trespasses
on private lands or waters.
-Keeps no more fish than needed for consumption, and never wastefuly discards fish that are retained.
- Carefully handles or releases all fish that are unwanted or prohibited by regulation,
as well as other animals that are accidentally hooked.
? Uses tackle and techniques which minimize harm to fish when engaging in
catch and release angling.
- Disposes of all trash, including worn out lines, leaders, and hooks
and helps to keep fishing sites litter free.


http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/Partner...ngler_code.pdf

[madcaster]

I hope this is the thread about tip on C&R


Be ready to measure
I put a line on my pole 28" from the butt ...gives you a quick look to see if it's a keeper
Have your tape ready to go ....mine is clipped to my bag . no digging around in your bag ...while the fish is on the beach
MH4

[albiealert]

Interesting idea madcaster. How to you get that retractable tape rule to go on the swivel?

[madcaster]

stainless steel wire and then epoxy ....I sale them at the flea markets

[jason]

Planning to release is really no different than planning to fillet, other than maybe getting some ice in the cooler. Either way, you need to be able to accurately and quickly measure the fish, and marking your rod seems like a great way. Personally, I measure out and make a few dashes with a sharpie marker on my drag rope. No rope along? Not keeping anyway.

The absolute best piece of knowledge I can share is related to hook removal. People rush to get the fish back to the water, whether it takes damage to the gills or gullet by twisting or yanking the hook with pliers.

Firstly, if a fish is hooked deep, put fish dorsal side down since that makes opening the jaw much easier

***key tip*** if hooked deep, going between the jaws and digging around gets bloody pretty quickly (as in above pic). There is very little leverage against the hook from that direction/angle.
*instead* bring your forceps/pliers through a rearward gill slit and the hook will be right there and incredibly easier to manipulate. If using a treble, once getting one of the hooks free, don't be afraid to cleverly re-hook it into the jaw in such a way to help expose the remaining two hooks. You'll be out in a short few seconds.


If you really care to be able to release nice fish, always have a long forceps with you for this maneuver. This method both gets the fish back into the water quicker and with considerably less tissue damage to the gills and gullet.

Tight lines.

[cowherder]

madcaster very nice design on the tape measure. Hope you do well with them. jason that is a great tutorial thanks for posting. I guess you want to use stainless steel forceps so they don't rust. Where did you get yours if you don't mind sharing the info?

[jason]

madcaster very nice design on the tape measure. Hope you do well with them. jason that is a great tutorial thanks for posting. I guess you want to use stainless steel forceps so they don't rust. Where did you get yours if you don't mind sharing the info?

Agreed on mad caster's tape measure design. Very slick.

Not sure, but I think most forceps have "stainless" stamped on them to check. I bought mine at Julian's B&T in AH for around $5, or can always order online.

Even if using pliers, definitely try going through a gill slit to get at those deep hooks…also keeps fingers completely away from teeth..always a good thing. Pliers with the angled tips really work well for reaching over.

[Monty]

Be ready to measure
I put a line on my pole 28" from the butt ...gives you a quick look to see if it's a keeper
Have your tape ready to go ....mine is clipped to my bag . no digging around in your bag ...while the fish is on the beach
MH4

I have 3 marks on all of my rods.
30", 40", 50"
Can get a pretty accurate estimate on a fishes length between marks especially with a quick pic.
I use hard as nails white nail polish on the rod, I don't remember how I came up with that idea.

[basshunter]

The absolute best piece of knowledge I can share is related to hook removal. People rush to get the fish back to the water, whether it takes damage to the gills or gullet by twisting or yanking the hook with pliers.

Firstly, if a fish is hooked deep, put fish dorsal side down since that makes opening the jaw much easier

***key tip*** if hooked deep, going between the jaws and digging around gets bloody pretty quickly (as in above pic). There is very little leverage against the hook from that direction/angle.
*instead* bring your forceps/pliers through a rearward gill slit and the hook will be right there and incredibly easier to manipulate. If using a treble, once getting one of the hooks free, don't be afraid to cleverly re-hook it into the jaw in such a way to help expose the remaining two hooks. You'll be out in a short few seconds.


.

that was great info jason. Thanks for posting it. I have hooked fish like that and after messing around with them for some time and the blood it makes me think there was a better way. Yours looks like it is. Thank you

[robmedina]

Great night to be out. I spotted a small skate on the beach near a jetty. Upon checking it out I noticed there was a hook in his wing, attached to a 4oz pyramid sinker. Poor little guy was exhausted. I removed the hook and took it out to deeper water. He was very slow at getting back at it but finally managed to disappear in the wash. Attachment 17138

[DarkSkies]

^Rob, nice to hear you value all God's creatures out there....Although I agree they can be a PITA, particular the "endangered dog fish" which no longer seem to be endangered.....they are everywhere...

This is all part of fishing, and the real sportsmen out there, know that and just deal with it as part of the fishing, not beating up on a particular fish just because it stole bait intended for a bass....
Almost had an incident this morning......guys threw back a 12lb bluefish, mad that it wasn't a bass......and by the time they got it back in the water it was floating...trouble breathing....

Why release a fish if you aren't concerned enough to do it the right way?.....thankfully Pebbles and Vpass diplomatically intervened in the situation before I created some new folks who won't like me on Facebook..... ...and spent a short 1 1/2 minutes holding the fish in the water till it got breathing right again.....
But that's not for here...I'll post the details in the
C&R contest thread.....

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...ps-and-CONTEST!










As for Joe, consider yourself lucky he took you under his wing....he has caught several large fish this year that he never bragged or thumped his chest about......just an old salt, doing what he loves.....and a good friend....









Rest of the story....

I was little grumpy with the guys who tossed that bluefish back in the water, because of their attitude.....

I went to grab it as it was flopping around...
I asked them why they threw it back like that.....

Their response. ..."Well we didn't want it...so what?"
This pushed my buttons a bit....I asked them if they had such a great time catching it, maybe if they would spend a few secs releasing it, they could catch it again"

Their response, "Dude that thing has teeth! We didn't want to get bit!"
These were adults, not sissies....they had tats, had to have braved at least a few needles to get those tats....and were telling me they were afraid of the bluefish teeth.....

The last straw was when they said....
"Dude, it's only a bluefish! WT*???????"



The way things are going with the striped bass fishery....we may soon be back to targeting blues, skates, and sea robins......
This is the ignorance, that I am trying to overcome here....and instead try to educate folks, about the right way to catch and release....otherwise you are only throwing back a dead fish.......

Thanks for reading....

[madcaster]

Most fle-markets or fishing shows ...always has a guy with forceps for sale ....I like the one that have the locking options

[rockhopper]

Great post jason thank you.