Body
To keep the fish you free safe from harm, master the art of letting go.
Sometimes, fishing rules require you to release a fish because it’s the wrong size or the wrong species. And sometimes, you’d rather fish for fun than for food. Here’s how to release a fish the right way, so it has the best chance of living.
Take the Right Tackle
- Choose artificial lures. Fish are more likely to swallow live bait and become deeply hooked, which can damage their organs.
- Carry a pair of needle-nose pliers or hemostats to remove hooks from small-mouthed fish like bluegill.
- Use a pair of pliers to pinch the barbs flat on your hooks. This makes removing them from a fish’s mouth (or your dad’s earlobe) much easier.
Land ‘Em Quickly
- Set the hook as soon as you feel a bite. This makes it less likely the fish will swallow the hook.
- Reel in your catch as quickly as you can — but don’t jerk the lips off the little fella. Fighting a fish longer than necessary wears it out and weakens its ability to survive.
- Keep a fish in the water as much as possible when removing the hook or taking a photo. A fish’s odds of survival decrease the longer it’s kept out of the water.
Handle Carefully
- Wet your hands before touching a fish. This protects its slimy skin, which guards the fish from germs.
- Be gentle. Squeezing a fish too hard can damage its organs. And keep your fingers away from its gills and eyes. It needs those to breathe and to see!
- If your catch is hooked deeply — in its gills or stomach — it’s best to simply leave the hook alone and cut the line. The fish will have a better chance of living than if you try to perform stream-side surgery to remove the hook.
Revive Tired Fish
- If your fish doesn’t have enough energy to swim away, hold its tail with one hand and cradle its belly with the other.
- Slowly move the fish back and forth below the surface so water flows over its gills.
- When the fish’s energy returns, release your grip so it can swim away.
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This Issue's Staff
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Les Fortenberry
Art Director – Cliff White
Editor – Matt Seek
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Les Fortenberry
Art Director – Cliff White
Editor – Matt Seek
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber