AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2007 ISSUE

Thanks to promotion and education, more and more anglers are advocating conservation. This, combined with meaningful changes to state and federal rules and regulations affecting size restrictions, possession limits and closed seasons for both inshore and offshore species - are making a positive impact on the many fisheries we enjoy.

Gone are the days of catch and kill. For many conscientious anglers today, success is defined by Catching…Photographing…and Releasing.

The proper and safe handling of the game fish we intend to release should be a major concern to all of us, as our precious fisheries continue to be strained in many regions by both habitat destruction and increasing fishing pressure. Believe it or not, scientific studies prove the mortality rate of fish caught and released is much higher than many of us realize. Too many anglers – inshore and off - still think that if we see a fish swim away, it is going to survive and continue to live a healthy and productive life. We all have to ask ourselves what possible harm has our adversary suffered as a result of being hooked, fought, handled and ultimately, released.

Dr. Ron Taylor of the Florida Marine Research Institute says: “Catch-and-release mortality continues to be a double-edged sword. However, if we do not release the fish that are illegal to keep, we certainly would be in worse shape than we are. Indeed, the percent of the total snook harvest that is lost to catch-and-release mortality remains as high as 40 percent along the Gulf Coast. With the tighter slot, we can expect this number to increase slightly. Proper handling and release tactics play a critical role in the balance of these dynamics which is why we have to continue to do everything in our power to conserve our precious fisheries.”

Of course, it shouldn’t take a marine biologist to tell us that it makes perfect sense to protect the fish we intend on releasing, otherwise, what’s the sense? Collectively, if we all engaged in positive release practices every time we hit the water, we would, no doubt, lower release mortality and make a significant impact on increasing the overall health of our valuable fisheries. The payoff is that we have a better chance of catching these fish again, and ultimately, the offspring they produce. We also get to enjoy the experience, and know that we are leaving a healthy fishery for future generations to enjoy. If we do not, we will only be adding to the problem of declining fisheries. Because conservation must be the wave of the future, mainstream ways of thinking must be changed and changed quickly. Simply practicing catch-and-release is clearly not enough. We must improve and implement safe handling and release tactics to insure our good intentions don’t swim away in vain. As you read through the following examples, ideas, and recommendations for safely handling and properly releasing the game fish we so cherish, make a firm decision to start implementing these practices during future fishing trips. Do your part to help preserve our important fisheries!

Tackle Considerations: Consider what size and style of hook you are using for different applications. When fishing with top-water stick-baits and sub-surface crank-baits, replace all treble-hooks with single J-hooks. This will greatly reduce the amount of potential damage to a fish’s mouth and allow for a quicker, stress-free release. If you are targeting a specific game fish during closed season, barbless hooks will lessen the chance of damaging vital organs. Sure, you may lose a few fish to spit hooks, but if you are fishing strictly for sport, then the safety of the quarry should be your number one concern. A quality pair of pliers will crimp most barbs easily, but for larger hooks, the use of a file may be needed to get the job done.

Whether you are live or dead bait fishing, circle-hooks designed to hook fish in the corner of the jaw greatly help increase survival rates and prevent damage to internal organs. With J-hooks, it is likely the fish will be throat or gut hooked and severe damage to internal organs is practically a given. All gut hooked fish intended for release should be handled with extreme care. Cut your leader as close to the hook as possible and avoid lifting the fish by the leader.

When selecting hooks, choose steel or bronze. If a hook must be left in the fish, these are better options since they will rust out faster than stainless steel, cadmium-plated or nickel-plated hooks. 

Dr. Ron Taylor explains, “Line strength and class of tackle play a huge role in the survival of released fish. Fish that struggle intensely for a long period of time are usually exhausted and severely stressed from the accumulation of lactic acid in their muscles and blood. Complete exhaustion causes physiological imbalance, muscle failure and even death. Therefore, use the proper class of tackle, land your catch quickly and when possible, leave the fish in the water while you release it. Any exhausted animal needs oxygen to recover!”

Taylor went on to add, “Once you have brought a fish close enough to safely release, leave it in the water and don’t touch it. Remove the hook and get the fish on its way unless it needs assistance being revived. If you must handle a fish, do so gently and with wet hands. Dry hands or an absorbent towel remove the protective slime coat on their skin. For the same reason, the use of landing nets made with abrasive materials should be avoided on fish you intend on releasing. Gaff-and-release is a practice that should never be used!”

Revival revival: When faced with a situation where you must revive a fish, be sure to do so carefully. With minimal contact, place the fish headfirst with jaw agape (utilizing a Boga-Grip or similar tool in this situation would be good practice) into the current, until the fish is strong enough to swim away on its own. If no current is available, move the fish forward gently through the water (not back and forth as seen on many TV fishing shows). The forward movement will allow oxygenated water to flow through the gills, helping the fish regain its strength. For fast moving pelagics like sailfish, swordfish and wahoo, this is accomplished by the captain putting the boat in gear and holding the fish alongside the boat until it is rejuvenated and ready to swim off.

According to Captain Brent Gaskill, a fourth generation Tampa Bay native and professional inshore fishing guide, “Another technique that many anglers commonly practice for species like amberjack and king mackerel after they are de-hooked is to thrust the fish head first into the water, essentially giving the tired fish a jump start.”

Everyone agrees that the practice of CPR (Catching…Photographing…and Releasing) is a great one, but should be done quickly and with minimal impact on the fish. Having someone take your picture with let’s say, a snook hanging vertically on the end of your line is not the way to go. This can cause severe damage to the fish and ultimately lead to its demise. Kayak fishing guide Neil Taylor had this observation to share; “2007 was a tough summer for me. During this year's snook run along the beaches and in the passes, I saw it all. Fish kept out of the water for nearly five minutes so multiple photos could be taken. Frequent “sand-dragged” fish by anxious beach goers. Dead snook rolling in the waves after they've been hoisted up vertically by their lower jaw just to estimate their weight. It was appalling!”

As Neil elaborated, “It doesn’t have to be this way. One can land a juvenile or a trophy fish and get an amazing photo without ever injuring the fish.”

If you want a great photo of your catch, it is suggested that you hold the fish with adequate midsection support before raising it above the waters surface. Have the photographer snap a few quick shots while water is still dripping off the fins, then gently return the fish to the water. This will make for fantastic and memorable photos of you and your prized catch. If getting in the water with the fish is not an option, lean over the gunnel of the boat and briefly lift the fish above the surface for the shot. Again, the proper use of a Boga Grip and underbelly support would be in the best interest of the fish.

Lastly, another option would be to simply take a photo of the fish while it remains in the water close to the surface. This practice is a must for species such as goliath grouper, as you are not permitted by law to bring this protected species aboard your vessel. This is also a good practice for large pelagic fish, as lifting them out of the water can cause substantial strain to their fragile body structure and internal organs. If you have done everything you can to revive a fish and despite your best efforts, it appears that it is not going to survive, if it is legal size and open season, keep it!

As with most everything else in life - common sense, mixed with proper education and discretion is sure to keep you headed in the right direction. Let me close by saying that ultimately, our goal as responsible anglers should be to educate others on the best ways to help protect and enjoy our wonderful natural resources. If you see someone practicing unacceptable fish handling methods, do your best to politely point them in the right direction. Your kids will be happy you did. 

Proper tools facilitate proper catch-and-release:

·         Needle-nose pliers

·         Hemostats

·         De-hooking tool

·         Venting tool

·         Wire cutters

·         Scissors

·         Boga-Grip or similar tool

·         Rubber-coated landing net

Tips for increasing survival rates:

• Use adequate tackle to minimize fighting times

·         Avoid hoisting fish from their jaw/mouth/gills

·         Hold fish horizontally with a second hand supporting their belly

·         Limit time out of water to no more than 30 seconds

·         Use barbless hooks for quick, easy removal and reduced handling times

·         Avoid touching fish with dry hands or dry surfaces

·         Leave fish in the water during the unhooking and release process

·         Remove treble hooks on lures and replace with single J-hooks whenever possible

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As we all know, demersal species (snapper/grouper) caught in deep water often come to the surface with bulging eyes and inflated air bladders due to an abrupt change in surrounding water pressure. When releasing bloated fish, the proper use of a venting tool to puncture inflated air bladders will greatly increase the fish’s chance of survival.

Sea Grant has designed a venting method that deflates the gut cavity and gives fish the best chance for fully recovering. A tool made of a hollow steel cylinder is inserted underneath a scale behind the base of the pectoral fin to release trapped air. Tools that work well include a sharpened pin used to inflate soccer balls or a veterinarian's cannula. The needle needs to be hollow to allow gas to escape.

A special thank you to the following for their valuable contributions:

-Captain Brent Gaskill - Summer Vacation Charters

727.343.1765 - www.SummerVacationCharters.com

-Neil Taylor - Adventure Kayak Fishing

727.692.6345 - www.AdventureKayakFishing.com

-Dr. Ron Taylor - Florida Marine Research Institute

727.896.8626 – www.FloridaMarine.org

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