The concept of catch and release has become fairly common practice, as new generations of anglers have learnt that this precious resource needs to be looked after. This is a huge leap forward from where we were a couple of decades ago.

 

The next important lesson that we need to learn, is to handle fish correctly to minimize damage and stress to the fish before it is released.

 

The way that we handle fish can have a big impact on whether they survive or not. Better handling will ensure a lower mortality of released fish.

 

Firstly, use the right strength tackle for the fish that you are targeting. The shorter the fight, the quicker the fish will recover. Also try to use the right size hooks, small hooks are often swallowed and hook the fish in the throat, gills or gut. Use circle hooks wherever possible.

 

Tools that can help:

 

A net helps to land smaller fish quickly and efficiently, with little damage to the fish or its slime layer. Nets with small, knotless, mesh, preferably rubberised, are ideal and do the least damage to fish.

 

Lip grips are also helpful, especially with toothy species. When used correctly they can be very handy and help to reduce damage to fish. By anchoring the head of the fish, a lip grip reduces the chances of a fish wriggling loose and falling onto the ground or boat deck, where it can damage itself. When lifting or holding a fish with a lip gripping device, the body of the fish should be supported by the other hand, so that the fish does not hang from the lip gripper.

 

A wet towel is another important tool that can help reduce damage to fish. Firstly, it can be used to handle the fish, so that the skin of the angler’s hands doesn’t make contact with the fish’s slime layer. It can also be used to cover the eyes of the fish while unhooking it, having the eyes covered with a wet cloth reduces stress for the fish.

 

A bucket or large container of water can also be excellent to place the fish into to keep it wet and breathing, a deckwash hose can also be used to run water over the gills of a fish out of the water. Try and keep the skin of the fish wet at all times.

Hold fish correctly, supporting the weight with a hand beneath the belly and keep fingers out of the eyes and gills.

 

Time that fish is out of the water is crucial. The quicker it gets back into the water the better chance of surviving. Try and never have a fish out of water for longer than a minute. If something is taking long, you will need to get the fish back into the water so that it can get some oxygen. The skin and slime on a fish also needs to be kept wet.

 

Have important tools like pliers handy and ready for hook removals, or cutting off a deeply embedded hook. You don’t want to be digging around in your bag for a hook remover when the fish is already out of the water.

If the hook has been taken in deeply, it is better to cut the trace as short as possible and release the fish with the hook in place. Fish often rid themselves of hooks and have a better chance of survival than having an operation performed on them with a pair of rusty pliers.

 

Have your camera ready, so that pics can be taken quickly.

 

Revive the fish by holding them in the water in a natural, upright position. Hold the fish with the head facing any current, so that water flows naturally over the gills. Be patient and give the fish enough time. A few extra minutes can make a big difference. Rather than rushing to catch another fish, make sure that the one that you are reviving is strong and ready to swim before letting it go.

 

Have a release assist mechanism at hand when fishing deep, fish caught from depth and suffering barotrauma need to be helped back down to depth.