Gill Plate Grab

[striprman]

Works for me, just be careful of the sharp plate spine on the gill cover, rub it the wrong way and you could get a pretty bad cut.

[ProfessorM]

I had to start doing that yesterday as my thumbs had been turned to hamburg. I was thinking the same thing, hope this is not harmful. I did let any that I was capable of go while in the water. p.

[MAC]

I try to stay away from the gill plate as it carries loads of bacteria. On bigger fish just hook your thumb under the outside edge of the jaw and stick your fingers in his mouth (like you are grabbing a baseball bat). Just be careful of hooks.

[tattoobob]

If you don't want to lip it you can grab it just behind the head with your thumb and index finger, I try not to touch there gills, it is like sticking your hand in there lungs

[Finaddict]

If you want to lift it up after grabbing it by the lip, on the bigger fish you will be grabbing the lower lip with your hand, not your thumb. When you swing it up, put a hand under its belly to give it extra support.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Professor Moriarty

my thumbs had been turned to hamburg. p.

Sounds like a Good Problem to have.....Mine, Unfortunately are in perfect shape

[zimmy]

The issue isn't so much the bacteria that are in the gill plate, but the bacteria introduced by your hand into the gill plate. I have read alot that says it greatly reduces the chance of survival after being released. Not sure if avoiding the gills themselves changes it.