Hooked on Conservation: The Art and Skill of Catch and Release Fishing

For successful catch and release fishing, you need to plan ahead. There’s more than showing up, catching a fish, and releasing it. There’s a certain skill necessary, plus the right fishing gear and tackle.

For optimal catch and release fishing you want to bring tackle that’s designed to manage the weight of the fish you’re gaming for. If the tackle is light relative to the size of the fish, say 30-pound tackle for a 50-pound fish, it may be more of a fight for you, but the fish will be exhausted by the time you reel it in. A tired fish is much more susceptible to predators and may not have the energy to swim properly.

It’s also important to use the right bait and hooks. In general, live bait will cause a fish to be hooked deeper than using an artificial lure, so using a lure is recommended for catch and release fishing. Barbless hooks, which are hooks that don’t have the little metal piece sticking out of the end of the hook in the opposite direction as the point of the hook, are much kinder to the fish. 

This barb is designed to make sure the hook is firmly planted in the fish so that it doesn’t get away but does more damage to the fish’s mouth. A fish caught with a barbed hook may swim away once you catch it, but it may not be able to eat properly. Some states and specific waterways have banned barbed hooks. Always check with your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife to find out what the regulations are for specific fishing locations.

Circle hooks are an alternative to barbless hooks. They are designed to catch the corner of the fish’s mouth, which, ideally, causes less damage to the fish.

You set the hook to make sure the fish stays attached to your gear. This is usually done with a swift tug once you feel the line bob.

When it comes to catch and release, you want the hook to be set before the fish has the chance to eat too much of the bait. The longer the fish has to eat the bait, the deeper into the fish’s mouth the hook will go before it is set, making it harder to get it out. This means you want to set the hook immediately after the fish first bites.

It should take no more than 20 minutes to reel in a fish that you plan to release. The longer you play the fish, meaning you let it pull on the line and then reel it back in, the more stressed and exhausted it gets. Stressed and tired fish are less likely to survive after being released.

The plan is to unhook the fish while it is in the water. If you must take the fish out of the water, be as quick and efficient as possible. Both fresh and saltwater fish can only survive a few minutes out of the water; keeping them in/and under the water when you remove the fly or hook is the way to go.

Fish have a thin coating of slime on their bodies that you don’t want to disturb. Always handle with wet hands or use a knotless rubberized landing net and rubber gloves. Never use a towel when handling a fish. Avoid touching the fish’s gills and eyes.

A shallow rubber or knotless mesh net or fish sling is the best way to handle small fish. That way, you never have to take the fish out of the water. For a big fish, use a tail rope. Remember, if you have to lift the fish out of the water, be gentle; don’t lay it down and avoid bumping it on anything as they are delicate creatures with skin that’s easily scratched and infected.

When removing the hook from the fish, use your thumb and forefinger, pair of long nose pliers or a dehooking tool that’s specifically designed to grasp and remove the hook. Keep the fish in the water and take care not to squeeze it. If you need to hold a small fish while unhooking, you can use a lip grip to hold them in place. Avoid using a lip grip in large fish as it can dislocate their jaw.

If the hook is too deep or difficult to get out, leave it there. You might do more damage by trying to remove it. Simply cut the line where it exits the fish’s mouth. The hook will disintegrate over time, or, ideally, the fish’s body will expel it and the wound will heal on its own.

In this day and age, everyone is a photographer. We understand that fish photography has always been a part of the activity. If you must take a fish photo, here are some guidelines.

• Have help; designate a photographer before you even get a fish on the hook. A live release is more important than any photo, so move quickly.
• Reduce handling time by adjusting camera settings before angling.
• With wet hands, support the fish under the forward part of its body and at the base of its tail, keeping the fish in the water.
• When ready, cradle the fish at water level and quickly take picture.
• Revive the fish. Let the revived fish swim away from your hands. 

Releasing a fish is more than just letting it go. You want to be sure that it is alive, revived, and ready to swim.

Hold the fish in the water, facing upstream to force water into its mouth and over its gills. Keep one hand under the belly and the other holding the tail or lower lip. This will help revive a fish that is exhausted and get it moving again. When you see the gills moving—opening and closing—you can safely release it. Let the fish swim naturally from your hands.

When you release a fish, avoid fast-moving water. Pick an area with a calmer current. The ideal depth of release is species based. When releasing a deep-water fish, you need to account for the water pressure, which is much lower near the surface and can cause serious issues for the fish. Deep-water fish are lowered back to depth using a cage or weight that breaks off. 

The community of catch and release anglers is growing. In most waters, the choice to harvest or release is a personal one. Many anglers practice both techniques, depending on their goals for the day, bag limits, and personal style. In some waters, catch and release is a requirement in order to protect valuable fish resources. This is especially critical in the fight to maintain and restore native fish populations. One way to fish “sustainably” is to practice voluntary catch and release of all wild fish, particularly in places where their populations are threatened. As an angler, education is key, not only in proper catch and release techniques, but also when it comes to fish identification, and local regulations. You can do an internet search on your local or state “Sport Fishing Regulations.” That way you’ll know any harvest restrictions, catch and release recommendations, and other fun information about fish species.