Catch and Release methods

[Green Light]

Personally, I:

1. Use the least amount of hooks possible.
2. Use properly sized tackle to bring the fish as timely as possible.
3. Handle the fish with care and respect.
4. Revive the fish before releasing it.

PS

When I chunk, I only use in-line circle hooks. I have never lost a fish due to a gut hook using an in-line circle hook.

The use of single belly hooks on plugs (instead of trebles) is very interesting. To be honest, I have not tried them yet. Logic suggets that they may actually hold a fish better than a treble hook once the fish is hooked.

[Sea Flat]

Personally I think making sure that you get the fish in quick is a pretty big factor as well as keeping them in the water. However, I notice a lot of people saying to crush your barbs or don't use trebles, admittedly I don't think this is a bad thing as I do believe it will make the dehooking process faster, but I do not think that that a couple extra hooks in their mouth is going to do them any more harm than one hook.

[niko]

The fish with a treble to the gills might disagree with you
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[BigFish]

Don't use barbs, don't use treble hooks, don't take them out of the water.....how about just don't fish???!!!! I am as cautious as the next guy when I land and release my fish but I don't crush my barbs and I have no issues as far as I can see. Its sport fishing for crying out loud! The people I hear crying the loudest are the folks that have a treble in the back of a mack or pogie and that bass is gonna swallow that rig whole and you guys want to complain about switching belly hoos on plugs? LOL! Just fish guys....be good to the fish. Bring them in in as short order as possible and give them a good revival period. Do your best thats all.

[johnny ducketts]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Don't use barbs, don't use treble hooks, don't take them out of the water.....how about just don't fish???!!!! I am as cautious as the next guy when I land and release my fish but I don't crush my barbs and I have no issues as far as I can see. Its sport fishing for crying out loud! The people I hear crying the loudest are the folks that have a treble in the back of a mack or pogie and that bass is gonna swallow that rig whole and you guys want to complain about switching belly hoos on plugs? LOL! Just fish guys....be good to the fish. Bring them in in as short order as possible and give them a good revival period. Do your best thats all.

so in essence your saying, using 4 lb test and a loose drag, kicking fish back in from the canal service roads, and cartwheeling them back in are a no-no.

[niko]

No trebles here big boy- shouldn't you be drinking beer in the backyard
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by niko

No trebles here big boy- shouldn't you be drinking beer in the backyard
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Envy can be an ugly thing.....there will be time for beer soon enough! Busy making things that hold treble hooks!

[niko]

Fish killer - you r going to hell
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[stripermaineiac]

Some of the threads of late are starting to sound like a PETA site. If killing fish becomes that much of an issue then it's time for those that it is to take up another sport. Yup not every fish I release survives. That is a reality. I enjoy fishing and when one dies I eat it. from time to time I even weigh in a fish at a Derby an still will. Perfect doesn't exist. Never will. Get over it. Enjoy what you do and be as good a sportsman as you can. Treble hooks,bent barbs, are tiny things compared to net by-catch by the tons are the problem not icidental release kills. The fish are starting to move. the season is right around the corner. Plan what you do an try some different things and respect the fish you release.

[puppet]

No body is asking anyone to change their methods if they don't want to.

note the original query of the thread....

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Is there any science or studies that would be useful to promote catch
and release methods? Do s and don't s? What will stress a fish the
least? The most? From a boat, the surf, a pier?

This thread is just a conversation, and it seems to me everything suggested is
pretty constructive and logical. I may not follow all the suggestions,
but I try to follow some of them....as most of them do not affect me
and my enjoyment of the sport.

Hahahahaaha... most of us could never be members of PETA. If
there were a shack selling seal burgers, I think I would order a double
decker. If the fishery were much more stable, I would not think
twice about using barbed trebles or whatever it takes to secure the
prey I am after. The sensitivity I have for the fishery is relative to its
health.

Catch and Release is widely accepted these days, but really... isn't
the concept is only a few decades old. Change is slow. Its been a while
since I have seen someone drop kick a short bass into the wash, and
I think that is a good thing. I think each of us are entitled to decide what
the boundaries we want to place on the well being of the fish and fishery.

If it is not for you, thats cool too.