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Catch & Release
Many fishermen support catch and release today, here are
some tips to help you.
Fish have a slimy coating over their scales which can be
removed from handling them. This coating is very
important to their well being, so the less you have to
handle them the better. There are fish nets with a soft
denser netting material you can use. If you do not have
a net you can try and free the hook from the fishes
mouth with a pair of forceps. If you must handle the
fish with your bare hands please wet your hands first,
this will help protect the removal of the slime coating.
Never overplay fish when water temperature is higher
than optimum (see: temperature chart). When water
temperature rises oxygen decreases and if you plan on
releasing your catch, chance of survival may be poor due
to stress.
If your catch has swallowed the hook, cut the line as
close to the hook as you can. Believe it or not but the
fish will actually have a better chance of survival by
cutting the line rather than ripping the hook out. You
may tear vital tissue with force.
Once you have released the hook place the fish in the
water holding him by the tail lightly (first wetting
your hands of course) and with your other hand support
his underbody. Gently rock the fish back and forth, the
motion will cause water to enter the gills. You will
actually be recessating the fish by allowing oxygen from
the water to pass through the gills. Once the fish
revives let him swim away. If you are in a river always
release the fish with the current facing head on.
If you find that you are having a hard time setting the
hook free. You may decide to use barbless hooks or
modify your existing hook by using a pair of needle nose
pliers to crimp the barb down.
While trying to set the hook free you find you have a
struggling fish try flipping him on his back in your
hands carefully. This will not hurt him and will
actually tame the beast.
Keep your hands away from the gills and never squeeze a
fish too hard, otherwise you could damage internal
organs.
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