Perch Savers

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]There are several models of gadgets on the market to help you send fish back down to the bottom if they have been "overinflated" from being depressurized too fast. Thought maybe I would share a couple of designs of "rigged wire" devices I have made and used in the past...and will probably start carrying again IF I hit Pineview any more.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]These things are designed to quickly attach to the lower jaw of a perch so that you can let them drop back to the bottom...pulled down by a weight. Once at the bottom you just give a sharp pull upward and the fish slips off the wire and is free to swim.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can actually make a workable "fish elevator" by taking a large heavy jig head and cutting off the barb on the hook. Then use a pair of pliers to squeeze down the gap in the hook so it forms a narrow "V". Run the cut off point into the lower jaw of the fish and drop it down. A few jiggles at the bottom and you can reel up the fishless jig head.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can also make a serviceable "send-down" rig by taping a piece of cut-off paper clip to a drop shot sinker...or a piece of thick lead steelhead sinker. Just have the loose end of the wire pointing down, to pull the fish with it, and tie it on your line for releasing the dinks.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here are some pictures of my homemade goodies. One uses the 1 oz. cavity in my spear point jig mold to make the weight. The other is simply bent wire that has a loop for attaching the line, a loop for attaching the sinker and a downward pin for attaching the fish to be released.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Lettsfish]

I gather you've used these rigs before. Don't they screw up your fishing? With all the messing around involved in ice fishing at the hole (the older I get - the more messing), that seems kinda busy and disturbing to the targeted species below.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]In a super dinkster situation I usually just fizz them. But if I am releasing some decent sized fish I like to give them a fighting chance. I often have other holes drilled close by that I can use for "perch plungin" I also do not always put them all the way to the bottom. As soon as you have them below about 20 feet down they can usually recover on their own...without having to go all the way to the bottom.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]On the other hand, sometimes the extra activity around a hole actually attracts other fish to the area to see what is going on. A favorite trick of many perch jerkers is to bang a heavy weight on the bottom a few times to raise a cloud of mud. The noise and mud can bring in hungry fish that hope to get in on a good feed.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[MichiganAngler]

Fizzed all my released perch today and they all swam off quickly.

Seemed like all the ones I released before reading your post floated around under the ice and died.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Life is good...and getting better.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I know a few humans that need to be fizzed.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Gorgefanatic]

Why couldn't you use like a 3 oz bottom bouncer to weigh them down?
[signature]

[CROSSINEYES]

it waist time while they are active. just poke em and pitch em. if they die. they get chowed.[cool]
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I'm sure it would work. Anything that is quick and easy to hook up and releases when you want it to.[/#0000ff]
[signature]