by Captain Paul Rose
Few resources are unlimited today and fish stocks are no different. Whether you’re on an offshore trip or on the local lakes and streams makes no difference. While it’s perfectly fine to harvest what you catch for consumption according to set limits, a certain amount of angler conservation is prudent. Throwing away freezer burnt fish is a waste. Common sense implies that you take only what you can use and practice catch and release with the rest of your catch or should I say catch and survive?
The idea of catch and release means to release your catch while optimizing the chance of survival. That all starts with planning ahead. With slot limits, restricted lakes, and tournament regulations, releasing fish is more often than not the rule. Know the regulations regarding size limits and be ready to measure quickly. Have your release tool ready whether it is an arc de-hooker (now required in Florida’s gulf-side areas), forceps or needle-nose pliers. Just make sure it is appropriate for what you’re catching. Time is of the essence when deciding to release. If the fish is going to the live well for delayed release be sure the aerator and pump is functioning. There are also products you can add to live wells to further decrease mortality rates. Dead fish do not win tournaments.
Once a fish is hooked, landing and handling become important to survival. Do not touch any area around the gills or the eyes. Do not squeeze it too hard. Keep the fish in water as much as possible. If the fish must be lifted, support the underside of fish. Many fish are calm when turned upside down or when a wet towel is placed over the head. Fish have a protective slime covering them as a defense mechanism and this should never be removed. During the release, place the fish in the water rather than dropping or throwing it. A fish bouncing around on the deck is never good. I do like a Boga grip for larger fish to avoid fish on the deck.
Everyone has different methods of fishing. If possible, use artificials over live bait. New scent-impregnated lures are as good as live bait in many situations and avoiding live baits helps prevent deep hooking. If you do have a fish hooked deep, you are better to cut the line close then release. A fish that is bleeding is generally the one to keep.
Like your technique and style, tackle choices can also vary. What matters here is appropriate choices. Light tackle does not mean a fight to the death of the fish. Tackle needs to be stout enough to subdue your catch quickly. Long fights and extended battles will leave a fish exhausted and unable to recover despite your release. During the battle, lactic acid builds up and can overwhelm a fish. If water temperatures are high, less oxygen is available. This combination is deadly. Sluggish fish need to be resuscitated by moving them back and forth allowing water to pass over the gills. With this method you will know when a fish is ready to swim off revived. He will simply swim from your hands rather than sinking to the bottom unable to recover.
If you must use live bait, circle hooks should be used. In fact many lures can be rigged with circle hooks. It allows for hook sets in the mouth rather than the gill areas. All hooks should be barbless and can be crimped down or purchased this way. A bonus here is barbless hooks are easy to remove from you, the kids or a pet as well. Also barbless hooks do not reduce hook-ups, contrary to what you may have heard.
I can’t recall who said, “Gamefish are too valuable to be caught only once,” but it is very good foresight. Practice it, and teach it to someone else. If we all do a little, the fish, and the fishing, will be better for it. Have a great day on the water and thanks for saving me one.
Carolinabonefishing.com is a fly fishing guide service owned and operated by Capt. Paul Rose located in Charlotte,NC. Paul offers a saltwater clinic using tailing carp on area lakes as a teaching tool for fly anglers out of a Hellsbay flats skiff. Other destinations include the NC mountains for trout and the Lowcountry for redfish. Paul is also a member of the Southeast Outdoor Press Association. Visit his website at carolinabonefishing.com or call 704-616-6662. For additional information or story ideas, email him at Paul@carolinabonefishing.com.
