'Catch and Release' Tips

With summer vacation rapidly approaching, the time is nearing to head out with the family for a little fun in the sun and fishing. This seems the appropriate time to discuss one of the least talked about subjects when it comes to angling, which is the proper “catch and release technique”. Now I know many of you are catch, filet and cook folks, but for a few years now many anglers have taken to releasing their catches back into the lakes and streams.

I started practicing catch and release 20 years ago, when I was sport fishing in the ocean. Back then you could bag 20 fish in total with limits on only some species. I looked at my sack of fish one day and thought how many could I eat over a period of time before they went bad. As it turned out, I could not eat half of them and would either give them away or, at some point, toss them into the rose bushes.

Fish are a valuable resource and should not be wasted. Therefore, with that said, I would like to give some tips on what to do, and not do to help with their safe return. One thing I see too often when fishing is that people will drag the fish over rocks and dirt to unhook the fish. Fish have a protective mucus (or slime), which is a coating, that protects the fish from diseases. Once this mucus is removed, it will leave the fish vulnerable to parasites and waterborne diseases. The mortality rate of the fish increases the longer it is exposed to the environment.

Another thing I see is anglers using rags to hold the fish while unhooking it, which will have the same results as dragging it across the ground. The best way to handle a fish is to bring it in as quickly as possible, wet your hands and hold the fish as gently as you can to remove the hook. If you happen to get one of those fish that refuse to stay still, turn the fish over on its back, this seems to calm them long enough to unhook and release.

If you use a net and plan to release your fish, spend the extra money and get one with a rubber or soft netting. The cheaper nylon nets are rough and will result in the mucus being removed. If you are lucky enough to catch a “large” fish and are practicing CPR (Catch-Photograph and Release), hold the fish in the water while the camera is being set up for the picture.

I have often explained, to a great number of folks, that holding a fish out of water for more than a few seconds aids in the mortality rate as well. I use the following explanation to get my point across. Pretend that you have just run a 100-yard dash and at the finish line, without resting, you are forced to put your head under water for an unspecified time. This thought in itself causes a great unease within me. It also makes a strong point in what the fish will experience when they have just fought for their lives and you hold them out of water for what seems an eternity! Also, when putting the fish back into the water, gently lower him in and hold him while he recovers and gets his strength back. He will pull away when he is ready. Resist the urge to throw it back and be firm with your children when explaining what it does to the fish when it is done improperly.

I will make one final plea for “Catch and Release” to those of you that enjoy this sport. I know there is a lot of ego involved when it comes to catching fish and the number of fish you catch. However, remember the beginning of this story. How many can you use before they go bad and are thrown away? Keep what you can eat for one meal and release the rest to fight another day. The fish will really appreciate it.

Good fishing and tight lines!