Catch and Release fishing is where the fish is let go after it is caught. Doing this keeps the larger fish that are at the prime breeding ages in the waters. It is also important to sustaining fish populations in all areas that fish live. Also, when you are fishing for food, it is important to only keep what you will actually eat without having extra fish going to waste.
While Catch and Release Fishing is important, there are also steps to ensure that the fish are released safely. Here are some general tips if you practice Catch and Release or would like to learn more.
Catch and Release Tips
- Use barbless hooks. These are where the barbs of the hooks are removed, or use hooks with flattened barbs. Without this extra hook fish can be released easier without extra stress on the fish.
- Try to avoid if possible treble hooks (where there are three hooks at the end). If treble hooks can be replaced on a favorite artificial lure, try doing that. Single hooks are much easier to remove from a fish.
- When bringing up a fish after a hook up, do so carefully. Allowing the fish to become exhausted prior to landing will result in a fish too tired to be releases successfully.
- If the fish is touched, handle with care and avoid grabbing the eyes or being rough around the gills. These are vital in the survival of the fish. Do not squeeze the fish.
- Avoid wrenching out a hook that is deeply buried in the fish, and only remove those hooks that are easily seen or can cleanly come out. If a hook is buried deep in a fish, snip the line at or as close to the mouth as possible.
- If possible, release the fish inside the water without bringing it out onto the boat or the shoreline. If the fish is brought on deck and fish is to be released, avoid letting it flop roughly on the surface and injuring itself.
- Fish that are brought out of the water need to be put back in as soon as possible.
- After the hooks and lures are removed, place it back into the water. Instead of tossing it into the water, gently hold it upright and move it forward and back until it gets its bearings and can swim on its own away from you.
