HOW TO CATCH & RELEASE FISH THE RIGHT WAY
If you're an avid fisherman, chances are you've heard about catch-and-release fishing. This common practice in recreational fishing means that after reeling in a catch, the fish is unhooked and released back into the water to live another day. However, some advocates for animal welfare have raised concerns, asking the question: "Is Catch & Release Cruel?"
The Short Answer: Simply put, no. Catch-and-release is far from animal cruelty. When carried out properly, catch and release can be a sustainable practice that contributes to conservation efforts and helps maintain healthy fish populations with no negative impacts. However, for this to be true, anglers equip themselves with the right knowledge and tools to ensure a successful release, causing minimal stress and injury to the fish.
Understand Proper Catch & Release Processes
Effective fishing does not revolve around the number of fish caught but rather around the preservation and respect of nature with dedicated conservation efforts. Let's take a look at the best practices for catch-and-release fishing to improve the mortality rate of your released fish.
Fish Conservation Tools & Their Significance
Fish conservation relies on tools designed to minimize harm during catch and release. Barbless circle hooks are key in reducing mouth injuries and ensuring a quicker, less stressful release of your fish. Another essential tool is the venting tool, which is used to release built-up gases in a fish's swim bladder when caught in deep water, preventing injury and increasing survival rates. These types of tools are crucial for promoting sustainable fishing practices in recreational and sport fishing.
Upholding Regulations & Preserving Native Fish Species
Various fishing regulations guide recreational fishery in the United States, including bag limits, which regulate the number of fish an angler can legally capture in one day. These rules are essential to prevent overfishing and ensure the preservation of native species for future generations of anglers in North America.
Proper Handling of Fish
How you handle the fish once you've caught it makes a big difference. Dry hands can remove the fish's natural slimy coating, which protects it from disease and parasites. Wet hands, however, would help you prevent causing unnecessary harm to your catch.
Temperature Awareness for Healthy Release
Water temperature significantly affects fish survival rates. Fish, particularly specific native trout species like rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout, are sensitive to temperature changes. Extreme temperatures can stress the fish, leading to a lower survival rate upon release.
How to Vent a Fish
Fish Venting: Taking Fish Safety to the Next Level
In our journey towards responsible fishing, let's learn about venting - a practice advocated for by conservationist groups such as the Return 'Em Right and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Venting is the process of helping a fish regain its buoyancy when brought up from deep water. This process primarily concerns the swim bladder, an internal organ in fish that functions much like a balloon, allowing them to control their depth in water. Rapid changes in pressure due to reeling in too quickly can cause this bladder to over-expand, creating discomfort or potentially lethal harm to the fish.
Step-by-step Guide on How to Vent A Fish
Using the venting tool correctly is integral to the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Start by laying the fish flat in your hands or on a non-slip surface, belly-side up.
- Locate the correct insertion point. This is typically 1-2 inches behind the pectoral fin.
- Position the venting tool at a 45-degree angle to the fish's body, aiming for the pointed area of the pectoral fin.
- Carefully insert the tool until you feel the pressure release and then promptly remove it.
Remember, the whole concept of venting is to reduce harm to the fish, so it’s crucial to conduct this procedure with the utmost care. Mastering this technique, particularly on larger fish that are deep-dwelling, can lead to the desired high survival rates. In this way, we contribute to sustainable fishing practices ensuring thriving fish populations for future generations.
How Smith’s Can Help
Now that you're equipped with the knowledge of catch and release methods, and how to vent a large fish, it's time to ensure you have the right tools for the job. Smith's offers products designed with the angler's needs and the welfare of fish in mind.
Our Venting Tool is explicitly designed to help recreational anglers like you ensure their catch's best chances of survival upon release. You can also look into our other fish conservation tools like our de-hookers and fish scale to fully equip yourself for your next fishing outing.
So let's do our part to maintain the vibrant diversity of the underwater world that we love so much. Fish responsibly. Release properly. And remember, the future of fishing is in our hands.
Shop Smith's range of fishing tools and fillet knives today to become the best fisherman you can be!
Article reviewed 08/28/2024: Ricky Dukes
Vice President Marketing and Product Development
Ricky Dukes has been leading the marketing and product development resources at Smith's Consumer Products for over 7 years. In that time, Ricky has become an expert in the world of knives and sharpeners including a deep understanding of their applications and uses.