decompression of bottomfish

EVERREADY · 10-26-2002, 10:55 AM

Hi, I am a new member, and just started fishing in the ocean last year. Mostly been going out of Newport to the Rock Pile and over to Arch Rock for some spearfishing.
I was wondering if anyone knows how to release the pressure from the air bladder on a fish that was brought up from depth? Are fish able to survive after that procedure?

corrirod · 10-26-2002, 02:29 PM

From what I understand it is actually there stomach that comes out of their mouth, which is caused by the air bladder expanding. If you poke a hole in their stomach they have almost no chance of recovery but there are ways to let the air out of the bladder using a syringe. There was a thread on this a long time ago and someone had the exact technique to use and it sounded like it takes practice to get it right. I believe they use the technique in CA and they believe the survival rate is dramatically increased. I'll do some searches to see if I can find it.

corrirod · 10-26-2002, 02:33 PM

Think I found it:

http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultim...c;f=1;t=010041

Deepslayer · 10-26-2002, 11:52 PM

Usually if the air bladder is sticking out there mouths, the prognosis for the fish is not too good. The procedure for relieving the pressure is to punch a hole in the air bladder with your knife. If it was not too deep the fish will swim off and the air bladder will supposedly heal itself.