Ten or so years ago a study showed that steelhead caught, gill held and released on the Salmon River had an above %50 mortality rate.
Has there ever been statistics on striper mortality, lip vs gill release?

I haven't heard of one, but if you think of it, it is like sticking your fingers into your lungs. unless you are going to keep the fish keep your fingers/hand out of the gill

What Bob said and,

I know of only two catch and release studies done in the past ten years. One done in MA and one in MD. Both used all type methods of catching, but neither noted mortality by release method.

I never, ever handle my fish from the gills.....always the lip!:) Bluefish from the back of the head!

I never, ever handle my fish from the gills.....always the lip!:) Bluefish from the back of the head!

C'MON!

I'll give you $20 bucks to handle a 15lb+ blue by the lips!:laugha:

lipem just like LM bass

Your probably the only one here with a hand/fingers big enough to handle a bloofish from the back of the head. Thier the size of a god damn catchers mitt.

C'MON!

I'll give you $20 bucks to handle a 15lb+ blue by the lips!:laugha:

Heck I'll give you $20 to do anything to a 15lb blue's lips!:shocked:

Basswipe //I,ll take the $20 /// A 15# BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dies the same way as a 5# BLOOOOOOOOOOO // Quickly & Sometimes Bloody :rocketem:

Your probably the only one here with a hand/fingers big enough to handle a bloofish from the back of the head. Thier the size of a god damn catchers mitt.

nope, he's not the only one :D
I grab them by the back of the head also.
you know what they say about guys with big hands...............





















big feet too :)
I have size 14 shoe

I dont have huge hands and I can handle them that way as well; always have

It's the safest way if you have a strong enough grip IMO

Lip the bass . For blues , some guys not only grab the back of the head , they place their thumb and forefinger in the eye sockets , right over their eyes. gives you a better grip and the fish calm right down

I can grab bloooos by the back of the head, too ;)

But I only have a size 12 :(

I cut their f #$%^&*( head RTFO }} :realmad:

I usually don't handle blues!!!
I will step on them and take the hook out!!!
I agree with clammer!!!
They are slimey b!@#rds, but fun to catch!!!:grins:

i love em too

The behind the head grab works well, especially if you are standing waist deep in the water. Even the big ones seem to calm down when grabbed. They still give you that " I hate you and I'm going to try to bite off your hands" look.