As the fall run of striped bass gains momentum anglers are reminded to follow practices that increase the survival of released fish. The
Stripers for the Future Campaign is a collaborative effort between Monmouth University researchers and the recreational angling community funded by a grant from the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium designed to encourage anglers to use practices that will increase the survival of striped bass that are released. Practices include the following basic techniques:
• Unhook and release fish without taking them out of the water whenever possible.
• If a fish must be removed from the water, handle it with wet hands or gloves.
• When unhooking, cradle the bass with one hand under the belly and one under the shoulder.
• Resuscitate exhausted bass by pulling them forward or in a figure eight through the water by the lower lip. Never move them backwards.
• Get the fish back in the water quickly! Try to limit air exposure to 15 seconds.
• Use barbless hooks for quick release.
• Use circle hooks when bait fishing.
• Leave deep hooks in the fish by cutting the leader off close to the hook.
For more information and to read the full research report visit
http://www.monmouth.edu/university/urban-coast-institute.aspx
