Landing/Releasing Bluefin

[big jay]

I've seen a pretty good amount of photo's on various fishing sites this season with some questionable gaff shots and releases so I thought I would share something we put together for releasing small fish. (Not trying to be preachy here or picking on anyone in particular, just sharing something that has worked on our boat).

We have about a 6' length of 1/4" plastic coated cable with a large stainless steel carbiner snap crimped on one end and a loop crimped on the other. Another 6' or so length of 1/4 line is spliced to the loop end.

When the fish comes up and you grab the leader, just form a loop with cable right around the leader. Snap the clip on the cable and let it drop down over the fish, and pull tight as it passes over the 2nd dorsal. Viola - tailed fish. (This works easily even over spreader bars) Simply pull him into the boat - no gaff shot necessary. You can cleat it off on a good fish, and since its about 2000lb breaking strength, you can use it as a regular tailrope on a giant. I've done this with a regular safety line, and it works but not as well - the plastic coated cable has the weight to drop down quickly and smoothly over the fish.

You can just pull them over the rail by the tail, without really hurting the fish. Another thing - when they are on deck, if you throw a wet towel over their eyes- this will settle them down a bit. Makes it easier to safely get the hook out of them, and they don't beat themselves up on deck either.

I think these are commercially available, but I haven't seen one myself in a shop. My father made up ours, it was fairly inexpensive to put together.

If anybody is really interested, I can try to snap a pic next time I'm on the boat.