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Catch-and-Release Tips With the large numbers of "schoolie" striped bass and "snapper" blues around this season I have had many requests for information regarding safe catch and release skills. The following should provide many of the necessary details.
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Also in Saltwater Angling: Main page Saltwater regulations Know Your catch Marine survey Boat charters Tacklebusters Records Forum | ||
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A. PLANNING AHEAD
2. Use artificial lures whenever possible to reduce the chance of a swallowed hook. 3. Use strong enough tackle and bring the fish in quickly to reduce exhaustion. 4. Use barbless hooks or crimp the barb on a standard hook since these are much easier to remove from a fish than barbed hooks. 5. Replace treble hooks with single hooks to minimize wounding and ease hook removal. B. HANDLING YOUR CATCH
2. Keep the fish from thrashing. 3. Control larger fish in the water by holding the leader with a glove, slipping a release gaff through the lower jaw, or by using a tailer. 4. If you must handle the fish: 5. Protect yourself against personal injury by handling each species carefully. C. REMOVING THE HOOK
2. Back the hook out the way it came in. 3. For fish hooked deeply in the gut or throat, cut the leader leaving a length equal to approximately half the fish's body hanging out of the mouth. D. THE FINAL MOMENTS
2. Resuscitate an exhausted fish by moving it back and forth or tow it alongside the boat to force water through its gills. 3. Cod, pollock, and haddock benefit greatly with a gentle tummy rub which releases air and allows for a quick descent. 4. Watch the fish to make sure it swims away. If it does not, recover the fish and try again. E-mail Bruce Joule with news of your efforts.
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