Scientists tell us that if you only remember two things, most of the fish you release will survive. When you consider rules and regulations on bag limits as well as seasons and size limits, all of us must release fish, so it is important to do it correctly. When you are going to release a fish for whatever reason, it should be landed as quickly as possible rather than playing it to the point of exhaustion.
Equally critical, a fish destined to be released must be handled as little as possible and kept in the water during the release process without lifting it out of the water. Lifting a fish out of the water with a release gaff, jaw-locking grip, or even your thumb in its jaw will damage internal organs plus the very delicate region under the fish’s jaw unless you support its belly. Hanging a fish from a hand scale to weigh it also does serious damage. And, remember that a fish should be kept out of the water for the minimum amount of time.
Even if a fish swims off quickly and appears to be healthy, it may not survive. Researchers call this cryptic mortality, because they cannot calculate the percentage that does survive accurately. A hole in a fish’s lower jaw created by a release gaff, jaw-locking device, or a scale causes other problems. Many species rely on a vacuum created in the mouth to draw prey into it. A hole in the jaw destroys this feeding advantage.
Several release tools are available to help you remove the hook without touching the fish. If you don’t have one, you can make your own out of a broom handle and J-hook and because the broom handle is wood, the tool will float if dropped overboard. Take a fair-sized J-hook, cut off the point and barb, and screw it into the broom handle so the bend of the hook extends beyond the wood. Then, wrap the hook around the handle tightly using bait-rigging floss. Finally, coat the wraps with epoxy and your tool is finished.
A fish brought to the surface out of deep water can experience an expanded air bladder that pushes its stomach out of its mouth. You should carry a venting tool on the boat and insert it at a 45-degree angle about an inch behind the pectoral fin. You’ll hear the air escaping. Don’t puncture a fish’s stomach or attempt to put it back in its mouth. The fish will swallow its stomach once it descends in the water column.
Every day you are on the water, you become a fisheries manager which means you must work to protect the habitat and practice catch-and-release whenever possible. If each of us thinks about the future of fishing with every fish we catch, our fish stocks and fisheries should remain healthy. When you do your part, the days and years ahead will be bright and there will be plenty of fish for all of us to catch. It’s in your hands.
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