FS Digest

It seems expected that the fish is released. I was wondering if this is something people actually do on purpose or if their are regulations on what you can keep?

I was also wondering if the fish’s mouths or gills can be damaged during capture to the point where it would be inhumane to release them? And if there’s any tips on how to tell when it’s better to hang on to a fish.

Which leads me to my next question, when I used to fish for trout with my grandpa he would just smash them on the head real quick with pliers. How do you guys end their suffering quickly? Is there a better way?

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by z-flex

FS Digest

Yes, people release on purpose. They fish for sport, and the idea is that if you release them, they grow into trophy sized fish to be caught later. There are also regulations that require certain fish to be released.

Yes, fish can get hurt when they are caught. It happens, some fish recover better than others. If you catch a fish that’s regulated and it’s illegal to keep, and it dies, you still have to throw it back. Seems weird but it makes sense if you think about it.

Me, if I keep fish? I just throw the fish in my cooler on ice and don’t worry about ending their misery. Some times people will pierce their heads so they die quickly. Some people keep them alive on a rope in the water so they stay fresh until it’s time to go home.

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by skatefishjam6940

FS Digest

Thanks man! I appreciate you takin the time to respond. I guess it actually does make sense to return it to the ecosystem too even if you can’t keep it. Cheers.

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by z-flex

FS Digest

Glad to help. I guess the other thing is a poacher could just say “it died when I caught it”. So, to keep poachers from having that excuse, you have to release protected species regardless if they die when you catch them.

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by skatefishjam6940

FS Digest

It really depends what fish. People who fish freshwater tend to release more fish - in part because of the perception that Bass (Largemouth in particular) are not super tasty and people like to keep them around as a sports fish.

There are also a lot of fish populations that we know are both delicious and in serious trouble, so people will often mention when it's released(Sturgeon, many larger game fish)



If it's bleeding from the gills or guthooked deep, normally it's going to die. Don't grab a fish you want to live by the gills or have their mouth(if you lip it) supporting excessive weight.

And for Trout? Man they just die for spite sometimes. There's a whole host of "best practices" that goes with them, but the best release is one where they never leave the water, are in a net without any plastic in it, and after a short fight.



Technically the most humane way is to drive a spike into the brain then cut the gills - but that requires knowing where the hell the fishes brain is and successfully hitting it...not always practical, especially if there's a wide variety of fish.

Second best(my preferred method) is to bonk them on the head, hard..then cut the gills and bleed them out while they're unconscious.

The least humane way(that is commonly practiced) is putting the fish in a icy, watery slurry or letting them suffocate.

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by RandomPantsAppear

FS Digest

Thank you for taking some time to share this info with me. Ive felt guilty in the past like I’m mistreating the fish or being disrespectful if I use the bonk method. I didn’t know about cutting the gills as well so I’ll have to try that to help them along sometime. I’ve kinda been to chicken to go it alone because I really don’t know what I’m doing out there so truly, thank you.

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by z-flex

FS Digest

people release for lots of reasons: to maintain the population and some just like to catch for sport and not food, Different states and bodies of water have different fishing regulations for size of fish you can keep and how many by species. Google your state fishing regulations for those details. You can tell if they are going to be ok after you catch them and different fish species have different morality rates. But bass trout catfish etc survive about 99% of the time.

Its good for people to keep fish occasionally to prevent overpopulation.

In the natural order they will die by getting eaten alive, sick or starving to death so dont beat yourself up.

I put them in a cooler of ice after i catch them. Link below i found on the subject which suggests whacking them on the head.

Go fishing and good luck.

https://goneoutdoors.com/the-humane-method-to-kill-a-fish-before-filleting-12962716.html

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by PapaChaCha68

FS Digest

Thanks for the response and for including the link man. Much appreciated

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by z-flex

Larry M Loc: North Clairmount, San Diego

We call it CPR here, catch picture and release.
I believe that if you can remove the hook while the fish is in the water may be the best way. The less that you handle it the better.
Some fish like the barracuda here have slimy bodies, removing some of the slime leaves them open to bacteria.
Most people here use the spike to the brain method here. When done right the fish will vibrate like mad. They die quickly.The heart will still be pumping then cut the fish on both sides of the tail to bleed them out. Also grabbing the gills near the front and pull them out will bleed them. Having an ice chest with ice slurry is what I keep them in.
There are YouTube videos on the spike method.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I practice catch and release as much as possible and I am for the most part a trout fisherman. They are not particularly hardy fish and it can be a challenge. You have to be willing to get wet, because you don't want to bring the fish out of the water any more than you absolutely have to. Use barbless circle hooks. You can get them thru Cabella's. When I used to catch and eat, I would field dress them on the spot and put them on ice or back in the water. I take the meat and eat it and the birds and bugs and crayfish get the guts. Everyone's happy.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

When saltwater fish die. DNR says the crabs get an easy meal.

eddierbias Loc: Texas Panhandle Pampa 79065

Catch and release (CAR) is my preferred method of fishing. If you keep them then you have to clean them.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

I am just addressing one of your questions. The issue with fish getting injured by fishing hooks. This method is a quite and easy solution to the problem. The hooks can all so be changed out to “J” Hooks or Circle ⭕️ Hooks...


De-barb your hooks: use a pair of pliers to squish the hook’s barb down. Once the fish takes the hook, be sure to keep solid pressure on your line and reel fast. This will help prevent the fish from spitting the hook out during the fight.

oldgundoc

Check your local regulations. In some areas it's illegal to return invasive species to the water.

teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

If you add water to your ice and create a semi slurry the fish will be stunned and die quickly and painlessly and will be easier to clean. Mike