Releasing small perch?

[richmac1]

Just wondering if anyone had some advise on how to effectively release small perch?
I caught a bout 15 or so this week and stopped cause i couldn't toss them back and didn't want to keep catching 4-6" fish. I tried reeling them in slow but that didn't seem to do much good. Anyways just looking for some tips so they can get bigger.
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[FishKillr]

If you were at Pineview, I think that there are plenty of little ones and the population will be better if they are caught...they can also be cut up and used for bait for a variety of species on other waters.

However.... Some devices have been created to drop them back to the depths, but most are for larger fish. You could make something out of a paperclip and weight....just something that stays in the mouth of the fish, but doesnt hook into it then you are able to give it a jerk once you get to the bottom. OldCoot and Tubedude both have systems, and I found coots first...here is a large version of what you wan, you should be able to make a small version for your needs:

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_...34;#630134
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[FishKillr]

Here is another link to one they [url "http://www.sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html"]sell.[/url]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]We have had a couple of discussions on this. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Best way is to "fizz" them...poke a hole in the protruding air bladder with the point of your hook and drop them back in the hole. A high percentage of them will survive...higher than if they are allowed to float around under the ice or left to freeze outside.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The little perch look lifeless when you bring them out of the hole from the deep water. The expanded air bladder squashes all their innards together...kinda like you feel after a huge meal. By releasing the pressure you allow them to scoot back down to the depths and that air bladder tissue quickly repairs itself.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Perch are not nearly as wimpy as many other species...that rhyme with snout.[/#0000ff]
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[bigfish6]

One thing I've found that works well is a serenge, I poke it in the fishes bladder and slowly suck the air out of the fish and you must take your time doing this if you do it to fast the fish wont recover as well, then put them back in your hole holding their tail for a few seconds don't just throw them down the hole hopeing thell survive. The only problem is it can turn into an uncomfortable situation when the f&g asks you what your doing with a needle. The old timers like tube dude also used to use them to inject worms with air so they would float.but by far the best way I've seen is the weight with a release, drop the fish down slowly give it a tug and watch the fish go back down on your fish finder, you wouldn't need much weight with pan fish maybe. 1/2"or 3/4 ounce should be plenty.
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