Fishing Forum

I'm sitting here watch VS. on a Friday morning here in the office pretending to be working.. And it struck me again that there seems to have been change in recent years from cutting the leader and letting the big fish swim away to going through some fairly risky moves to get the hook out before release..

I noticed this most recently during the shark fishing tournaments.. They went from quick catch and cut to getting double points for getting the hook out before releasing the shark..

I searched for some real studies on whether this is important or not to the survival rate of the fish and didn't find much and certainly nothing conclusive..

So what is the reason for the change in tactics?? Is it more of a public relations thing to make people "feel better" about not hurting the fish?? Or is there some real reason for the change??

I can only imagine that it is always better for the fish to get the hook out.. It's just common sense.. But is it really a 'big deal' when it comes to the fish??

Just curious for a decent debate on a Friday
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I believe Florida's new legislation regarding the ARC Dehooker has something to do with it.

Apparently there was some studies about improved mortality rates but I really don't know a ton about it. It seems to me it will be a good idea until someone looses a hand trying to remove a hook from a sharks mouth?

I always understood that hooks left in didn't create problems, particularly so in saltwater fish.

This is all just my opinion and what I have heard through the grape-vine so take it with a grain of salt.
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This is all IMHO:

Hooks left in would create more problems for the fish released simply because if that hook stays in for long it may effect the fishes ability to feed and/or feeding habits. It may experience discomfort whilst trying to take down a meal which may or may not make that fish not eat at all even.

Not to mention leaving a hook in to tarnish/rust, in an open wound on the fish, may cause other health problems for the fish.
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If you think about the infections that can occur at the puncture site, not to mention the added stress on the fish trying to free itself from the hook , then it is ALWAYS a good idea to get the hook out.
I have caught many fish with hooks still in them, and it is a myth that they rust out after a day or two.
There are so many ways to injure the fish, that if we don't start behaving better, we can collectively cause some damage..as recreational fishermen do most of the damage these days ( at least for the fish I fish for).
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