NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => General Fishing Topics => Topic started by: harbison on March 20, 2013, 06:17:26 PM

Title: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: harbison on March 20, 2013, 06:17:26 PM
Many of us, myself included, did not realize how important it is to properly handle fish that are to be returned to the water. Thanks to my good friend Mister Butch Ayala, FWC biologist, for providing valuable information on
'Properly handling fish to be released.'
(http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu162/harbisonphoto/Fish%20-%20%20Hogs/Untitled_zpsab00312c.jpg)
Handling Fish Properly
By adopting just a few simple habits, recreational
anglers can greatly increase the chances that the
fish they catch and release will survive, meaning
each and every saltwater angler can positively
influence the future of Florida’s fishing stocks by
striving for 100 percent survival of released fish.
• Handle fish as little as possible and only with wet
hands – never with a towel.
It's okay to take a picture of a fish if it
needs to be briefly taken out of the
water to measure it vent it,
(http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu162/harbisonphoto/Fish%20-%20%20Hogs/41_zpsa72667da.jpg)
or remove the hook!
But support the weight of the
fish HORIZONTALLY and safely return
it to the water as quickly as possible.
(http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu162/harbisonphoto/Fish%20-%20%20Hogs/26_zpsf336d4a1.jpg)
• Avoid lifting a
fish by its jaw,
especially large
fish. This can injure the fish so it can’t feed
normally and/or harm its internal organs.
• If a hook is deep in a fish’s throat or stomach, cut
the line as close as possible to the hook – the
hook will eventually dissolve inside the fish. Bob H
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: Hotrod on March 20, 2013, 06:40:30 PM
Great Info t^
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: FishOn on March 20, 2013, 06:58:24 PM
 whs

I cringe when I see the ol' dry towel come out cause someone doesn't want to get slimy fingers
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: fluke - u on March 20, 2013, 07:54:25 PM
 t^.....Thanks Capt... chrz
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: Fishin Dude on March 20, 2013, 07:57:47 PM
Great Southern Wisdom for wherever you catch fish! TT^
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: blynch on March 20, 2013, 10:53:15 PM
Nice post.  Any idea whether a wet towel has the same effects as a dry one? I only ask because I find that sometimes with fluke, if I grab them barehanded I have to squeeze them pretty hard to control them enough to get the hook out. Seems like this would have negative effects of its own.  Wriggly bastards...
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: FishOn on March 20, 2013, 11:31:00 PM
Nice post.  Any idea whether a wet towel has the same effects as a dry one? I only ask because I find that sometimes with fluke, if I grab them barehanded I have to squeeze them pretty hard to control them enough to get the hook out. Seems like this would have negative effects of its own.  Wriggly bastards...

If it's a keeper, squeeze as hard as you want  t^
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 21, 2013, 10:20:10 AM
 TT^
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: blynch on March 21, 2013, 05:37:50 PM
Nice post.  Any idea whether a wet towel has the same effects as a dry one? I only ask because I find that sometimes with fluke, if I grab them barehanded I have to squeeze them pretty hard to control them enough to get the hook out. Seems like this would have negative effects of its own.  Wriggly bastards...

If it's a keeper, squeeze as hard as you want  t^


Good call... since I only catch keepers... fcp
Title: Re: Handling of fish to be released!
Post by: FishOn on March 23, 2013, 11:29:11 PM
Then don't use a towel and don't squeeze hard  fcp  :-*