Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Crafty Angler · 06-10-2004, 08:19 PM

I keep fish for the table too but prefer to keep the smaller ones (meaning 10-25 lbs.) - less toxins in the meat.

As for releasing any of them I always do the same things to try and insure their survival after the fight. A small bass has a great chance of survival if you handle it right - keep your fingers out of the gills, wet your hands before you touch them so as not to remove the protective slime, if you can, place a wet towel over their eyes to calm 'em if they're a little bigger and thrashing.

Get 'em back in the water ASAP with a gentle release, no whirlybird toss because you're pissed it wasn't bigger. Swim 'em a little if you have to to get water moving over the gills. If you're lipping them, let go when you feel 'em press down on your thumb. They're tellin' ya let go, I'm ready.

Most of you guys already do this stuff anyway, but there may be a coupla guys who aren't as sure about it.

If you plan to release a large fish, the best way to do so is don't even take 'em out of the water at all, as we've all been told. Gravity out of the water will damage internal organs. And if you've ever been around a real large bass being landed, they will sometimes make an unpleasant cracking sound - I always assumed it was the vertabrae cracking.

Jeez, another question for my esteemed friend, Professor O'Nitis, the famous Irish marine biologist.

I'll ask him if I get to take that cruise he promised on the MRV Chaffee soon - and if I remember it.

06-10-2004, 08:19 PM	#14
Crafty Angler Geezer Gone Wild iTrader: (2) Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,397 Blog Entries: 2	I keep fish for the table too but prefer to keep the smaller ones (meaning 10-25 lbs.) - less toxins in the meat. As for releasing any of them I always do the same things to try and insure their survival after the fight. A small bass has a great chance of survival if you handle it right - keep your fingers out of the gills, wet your hands before you touch them so as not to remove the protective slime, if you can, place a wet towel over their eyes to calm 'em if they're a little bigger and thrashing. Get 'em back in the water ASAP with a gentle release, no whirlybird toss because you're pissed it wasn't bigger. Swim 'em a little if you have to to get water moving over the gills. If you're lipping them, let go when you feel 'em press down on your thumb. They're tellin' ya let go, I'm ready. Most of you guys already do this stuff anyway, but there may be a coupla guys who aren't as sure about it. If you plan to release a large fish, the best way to do so is don't even take 'em out of the water at all, as we've all been told. Gravity out of the water will damage internal organs. And if you've ever been around a real large bass being landed, they will sometimes make an unpleasant cracking sound - I always assumed it was the vertabrae cracking. Jeez, another question for my esteemed friend, Professor O'Nitis, the famous Irish marine biologist. I'll ask him if I get to take that cruise he promised on the MRV Chaffee soon - and if I remember it.
	"There is no royal road to this heavy surf-fishing. With all the appliances for comfort experience can suggest, there is a certain amount of hard work to be done and exposure to be bourne as a part of the price of success." From "Striped Bass," Scribner's Magazine, 1881.