Can you hold pretty much all fish by the mouth?
Might be a dumb question but I recently got into fishing in lakes and rivers and I usually hold it by the body but can you hold most fish by the mouth? Like can they bite you or is it bad for the fish? Again new to fishing please don’t roast me
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by JayTunez
Most sure, i wouldnt hold a shark by the mouth tho.
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by A_Cassette_tape
Most you’re fine to. Things like trout or anything with teeth that can break skin I try to stay out of. I usually will grab by the body or have by the gills if it’s a keeper (things like bass)
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by Gooherbog
Unless it is a barracuda, a shark, a piranha, or something of that nature, you’re good to grab it by the mouth
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by crispyjackal
That's more common for freshwater fish like bass crappie and bluegill but it depends. Many fish you hold by the body or gills, like salmon (only if u keep them) but the body is a good way to hold them if you are unsure. Also a little research for the main fish you like to catch would be helpful
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by maximilian_d
It depends on the fish. Some have teeth, some just have rough plates, and some have teeth but not along the whole jaw. If you aren't sure just hold them by the body until you check the mouth.
If you are going to kill the fish you can also hold them with fingers in the gills, but it can damage their gills so don't do it to ones you plan on releasing. Some species also have rakers on their gills plates which will cut your fingers.
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by Montythedraincat
You should be aware of if a fish has a strong enough jaw structure to survive without getting its jaw broken. Teeth too
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by urbanpounder
Wouldn't recommend grabbing most Salt Water fish by the mouth tbh...
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by Lovethoselittletrees
We get bluefish in our rivers here, wouldn't want to lip a decent size one, you'll lose the fingers.
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by EmbracedByLeaves
You should not hold most fish species by the mouth. Limit that to bass, panfish, and big catfish. Other species either have teeth or fragile jaws that can be damaged if you handle them by the mouth.
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by BoyWonderDownUnder
Need to emphasize - don't ever put your fingers near the mouth of a blue - have a nasty set of teeth and a nastier disposition. I once saw a caught blue flip flopping on the deck of a party boat take a bite out of guy's leg - he needed stitches. Many salt water fishermen have had a fish on the line only to have a blue come along and chop it in half.
Gar have a nasty mouth full of teeth, just keep your hands clear of their mouth and anything else you like to keep un damaged.
Careful if you catch a sturgeon it has a prickly 3 sided body use a towel and touch from the direction head to tail only smooth side is the bottom, both will be obvious looking if you catch either one of them.
Grampa
Loc: S. Coast Oregon USA
If you grab any fish by the body wet your hands first... that way you won’t kill it slowly by removing its protective slime...
From Wikipedia: Adult bluefish are strong and aggressive, and live in loose groups. They are fast swimmers which prey on schools of forage fish, and continue attacking them in feeding frenzies even after they appear to have eaten their fill.[9][10] Depending on area and season, they favor menhaden and other sardine-like fish (Clupeidae), jacks (Scombridae), weakfish (Sciaenidae), grunts (Haemulidae), striped anchovies (Engraulidae), shrimp, and squid. They are cannibalistic and can destroy their own young.[18] Bluefish sometimes chase bait through the surf zone, attacking schools in very shallow water, churning the water like a washing machine. This behavior is sometimes referred to as a "bluefish blitz". Bluefish are aggressive and have been known to inflict severe bites on fishermen. Wading or swimming among feeding bluefish schools can be dangerous.[19] In July 2006, a seven-year-old girl was attacked on a beach, near the Spanish town of Alicante, allegedly by a bluefish.
The old bass handle does not work for all fish! Some folks jumped on the band wagon about holding a snook and belief snook die with that bass hold? Research said barramundi not actually a snook, can not be held by lips and hang down with out injury! Now suggested to use two hands and support belly for horizontal hold not vertical hold! Never known a snook to be fragile like suggested!
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