Fishing Forum

Did anyone else see this article? I wanted to see what you guys thought...


Catch and Release may not be Harmless

Some of us are thinking about fishing, and no wonder.
There's only 55 days and 13 hours left to the opening of fishing season. Not that anyone's counting.

There's growing scuttlebutt in the angling community questioning the wisdom of catch-and-release angling.

There's increasing talk that catch-and-release isn't as benign as once thought, that released fish have been seen to behave erratically or simply die after a day or two.

If it's true, this throws the whole matter of catch-and-release fishing -- a huge part of fishing in New Brunswick, particularly with bass and salmon fishing -- into question. What's the sense of letting fish go if they are going to die? Is it only done to make the fisherman feel better, not the fish?

Some think so.

They say they've seen dead fish with evidence they'd been caught and released, and that they've seen for themselves released fish behaving oddly, including swimming in the wrong direction after their release and failing to spawn, and that they've seen this often.
They also wonder why jurisdictions where you can actually kill adult salmon aren't seeing any great declines in salmon populations.
Obviously, releasing a fish that has been played halfway to death does no one any good, except for some oaf's bragging rights back at the camp. Those fools might as well shoot the fish with a 12-gauge as release it -- the effect is the same, a wasted precious natural resource.

It's not clear yet what is the scientific truth of the matter and what's simply conjecture by well-meaning fishermen with decades of first-hand experience.

Until I'm convinced otherwise, I'll continue to err on the side of caution. Any fish that can toy with me on the end of my fly line for 10 minutes or so wins automatic freedom by being snapped off at that point, and any salmon that ends up in my frying pan will come accompanied by a sales slip from Moncton Fish Market.
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I think catch and release is a good practice. I'm sure some of the fish released don't make it but I would think most of them do.

It depends a lot on the angler releasing the fish. There are guys out there who hold fish out of water for 10 minutes while they snap 14 pictures and measure and weigh it 3 times. Well that fish might swim away once it released but DUH... it's probably not going to make it.

On the other hand if it's a clean hook through the lip and the fish is release quickly back into the water without to much handling then it will mostlikey be fine and will fight again another day.

Now if the thing swallows the hook and it takes you 5 minutes to get it out and the thing is bleeding like a stuck pig then it's off to the frying pan for sure. Bottom line... nothing wrong with catch and release.. just be smart about it and teach (when you can) the right technique for doing it properly.

I both harvest fish and catch and release. There is nothing wrong with a nice salmon fillet on your grill that you harvested yourself. Just be sure to practice good conservation and keep only what you are going to eat and be sure to let the little ones go.

(MY 2 CENTS) The problem isn't the people practicing catch and release. It's the people keeping fish under limit size and those !@#$ards out there snagging who cause the most damage. [mad]
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IMO it also has to do with the amount of stress you put the fish thru during the fight, a quick landing means the fish will be able to recuperate quicker than if you fight the fish with ultralight rod and 4 lb test line. Yes, you can land it and you will experience a great fight but the fish will be completly exausted and when release it may not be able to run from predators, find food or protect it's territory. So if you are going to release it get it to land as fast as possible, take your pictures or whatever you are going to do and release it as soon as possible.
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Lactic Acid Buildup is the key factor in survival after release.

When we fight a fish for a long time, lactic acid builds up and can become toxic for many species of fish.

This Lactic Acid has no effect on flavor if you are keeping the fish. It can be deadly for the fish if releaed.

Advise: If you plan on releasing a long fighting fish, use bigger line and keep the fight short. Any fish that is going to make it to the table should just be caught, cleaned and brought home.[cool]
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I'd have to but that theary in question. Alot of tournements are staged every weekend here in Ct I have perhaps seen two fish dead all last year. Even if only half made it, it still left stock to be fished another day. And some happy turtles[]
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It's funny you mention that Gregg. One major factor as to if a released fish will make it or not is the species. Some fish are tougher than others and require much less finess during the handling process. LMB for instance are a pretty darn tough fish, not to mention they are rarely "handled," rather they are lipped instead. Not much physical contact except around the mouth. On the other end, a trout is fairly sensitive. If physical contact isn't limited and they aren't returned to the water relatively quickly, there's a good chance they'll kick the bucket. Same applies in saltwater. You can chunk a sand shark back in the water with the hook still lodged in the corner of his jaw and he'll swim off with no problems. You snagg a mackerel by the tail and aren't careful how you remove the hook and mind how much contact you make with them, and they are as good as dead. The species and how much they are handled, in my humble opinion, are the only two major factors. This doesn't count for Deep water fish that have to have their air bladder decompressed.
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Where i fish. in my neighbors pond i probably catch over 100 fish in the summer. some i eat(the ones the swallow the hook) but others i release and they are all fine.
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Bottom line is that it's just common sense! Everyone, even a first timer, can tell if they've damaged a fish after it's reeled in. Like so much of the political correctness, if a person just thinks things through and applies some common sense they can and will make good decisions.

Oh, by the way, lipping fish with the Fishin' Finger is IMHO the best and safest way to handle a fish[]
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I have a photo shoot happening this Saturday. Lots of pics for you to use.
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Yeah, those lipping things are pretty nifty. They can save some skin on the thumb too. LOL
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Thanks tubeN2,

I'm really excited to see what you come up with!

montanashawn
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Thanks for the encouragement and plug Bryan.

Montanashawn
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OK... I don't mean to hi-jack the thread and change the subj but once warmer weather gets here and the bass starting hitting hard, I'm going to need one of those thumb things. What was the website address again? Do you have distributors in Michigan? Send me a PM with the info when you get a chance.

THANKS !!
Mike

You can get a boga grip or anything similar at any major fishing store. Cablas, Bass Pro, Boatersworld, etc..... I think Rapala makes one that has a scale built into it. Pretty cool, but don't be surprised by the price.
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[] You go tubeN2!! Are you going to pose for a calendar?hehe
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[url "http://www.fishinfinger.com"]www.fishinfinger.com[/url]

They're not in stores quite yet, but hopefully very soon.

If anyone here has contacts in the sporting goods industry that may be interested in distributing or retailing the Fishin' Finger please let me know. All help is greatly appreciated. In fact, I'll give you a free Fishin' Finger if you provide me with a good contact!

Thanks,
montanashawn
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I don't have any calander ops yet but I'll be sure to put you on my mailing list of the photo of the month club. I don't quite rate up there with the Chip N Dale guys but a nice fish on the end of anybodys hand is kind of nice anyhow.

By the way, I didn't realize you were so close to Shreveport. I surely would have stopped by to say "Hi". I was out there fishing last week and stopped by the BPS on the boardwalk. [cool]
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[] I look forward to the pics.
I live about 80 miles east of Shreveport.
We have a lot of lakes around here to fish - all about a 45 min. drive. We have Caney Lake, Lake D'arbonne, Cheniere Lake, Pverty Point,and a whole lot of bayous. The Ouachita River is about 15 minutes from me.
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it depends too on who "they" are and where the article is from. It would have to be a reputable study. Many people have opinions and I tend to believe the studys that are done over time by professionals. I agree that the angler plays the biggest part in being responsable to learn how to do it right.
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