Reel Good Fishing

Here are some tips to catch, handle and release a fish. If you are going to let the fish back in to the water, it is better to do it safely and give the fish the chance to get big.

• Avoid netting the fish.
• Wet your hands; touching fish with dry hands removes their protective slime layer and makes them susceptible to disease.
• Try to minimize contact with the gill and belly area of the fish.
• Do not lay the fish on a hot surface
• Fish with swim bladders may have to be punctured.
• Consider single hooks instead of treble type hooks for easier release.
• The hook barb may be bent down to accommodate an easier release.
• Only keep the fish out of the water for a minimal amount of time.
• Use a dehooker for a neater hook release.
• Avoid a gaff.
• Do not allow the fish to flap around, but do not step on it either.
• Support the fish under the lip and under the tail when it is out of the water.
• Hold the fish in the water until it tries to swim away.

Use these tips and the fish has a better chance to survive.

Reel Good Fishing