Live Catch And Release
Live Catch And Release Begins With You
Compiled with the assistance of Texas Parks & Wildlife biologists
David Campbell and Steve Magnelia
Permission to print and distribute this information is freely given by
Honey Hole Magazine, Inc.
Bass are sensitive creatures that can be injured more easily than
you might think. Tips for handling fish before you put them in your livewell
include the following common sense items:
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1. |
Keep the
fish in water as much as possible. Bass can only hold their
breathe as long as you can. Wind and other elements can damage
their skin, too. Wet your hands before touching the fish so that
you don't remove the slime coat that protects the fish from
infections and fungus. Don't handle the fish any longer than you
have to, and be gentle, don't drop the fish if you can keep from
it. Bouncing off the carpet also destroys their protective
slime.
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2. |
Never
hold fish through the gills or stick your fingers in their eyes.
Lip the fish gently and do not bend back the lower jaw as it can
break easily, particularly in larger bass. For larger bass give
support to the body under the wrist of the tail so that you are
not holding the fish's weight balanced on it's own jawbone.
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3. |
Do not
rip or tear out hooks. Gently remove by backing off the barb or
use needle nose pliers. If the fish is deeply hooked just remove
the lure portion (lizard or whatever) and cut the line, leaving
about 18-inches off the hook and release the fish. The hook will
eventually come out. There are ways to remove deeply embedded
hooks, but do not do this without having a demonstration
beforehand. The barb has to be backed off by applying pressure
back against it and on small fish this is tough to do as you
can't get both hands in their mouths. Not all hooks deeply
embedded can be removed, but don't necessarily kill the fish,
however if you see dark colored tissue or entrails coming up
through the throat you have gut-hooked the fish and should clean
it for dinner. If the fish is not a legal size you will have to
cut the line and release it anyway due to state law.
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4. |
Try to
land the fish you catch quickly, don't wear them out by making
them fight longer than they have to as this expends so much
energy the bass can not recover and has no chance for survival
if released.
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5. |
If you
feel you must use a dip net try to purchase one specifically
designed for fish. Nets can remove the slime coat and leave the
fish open to infection.
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6. |
Gently
release the fish back into the water. Do not throw or toss the
fish.
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7. |
Don't
use stringers for fish that will be released. Just as sticking
your fingers in the gills is bad for them stringers can destroy
their gill filaments. Regardless of where the stringer is placed
in the fish, there is no good way to use one, all do damage to
lips, gills, etc. How would it feel if someone stuck a stringer
in your lungs? However, if fish is bleeding a little from gills
because of a hook injury you have not necessarily killed that
fish. Hold it in your livewell with Catch & Release treatment in
the water for several hours until the bleeding stops. Much like
you pricking your finger, a little blood does not signify death
in all cases.
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8. |
Once you
have the fish in your livewell use the information provided in
this package to assist you in proper care of that fish while in
your possession. Don't just fill your livewell and forget about
it.
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9. |
Treat
the fish in your care as you would want your children treated
and always use Catch & Release, year-round, never be without it.
This product carries medicine that can save the fish you catch
from disease and death. It replaces slime knocked off during the
catch, treats antibiotically to reduce fungus and infection that
can occur after you have released the fish back into the lake,
and it calms the fish so that it doesn't do more harm to itself
in the livewell.
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10. |
If
true catch and release is your goal follow these steps and
others discussed in this package to the best of your ability.
Delayed mortality is not generally seen by those who cause it,
but shows a lack of respect for the bass by those who see it
after you have gone. Live catch and release requires more than
just the act of doing so.
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