Handling of wild fish

SHOUGALNITE · 12-05-2003, 12:03 PM

Thanks. I alwys try to leave fish in the water while unhooking them. I guess I will have to do it now.

greenbuttskunk · 12-05-2003, 12:09 PM

It's a great concept Stew, but I'll be surprised if it's enforced "literally". We'll see. I think it will mainly help with those uneducated fisherman who net a wild fish, dump it into a boat to flop around while unhooking it, drag a wild fish up onto the river bank, etc. There does need to be more public awareness that wild fish, catch and release sturgeon, and ANY fish for that matter should be handled carefully and respectfully.
GBS

Thumper · 12-05-2003, 12:26 PM

So how do you release a fish from a boat with 30 inch or higher sides without netting it or falling in? I guess we could all use the clever Alaskan gaff-flip, or just lean way, way out ...

"uh-oh Billybob, that's one a them durn natives. Heer, ah'll jist lean over and release him, eyiiaaa ....." kersploosh ....blub-blub [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

greenbuttskunk · 12-05-2003, 12:37 PM

ODFW is currently doing genetic research to develope a new breed of human fisherman that with have arms 2 feet longer. This way no matter how high the gunnels, they can alway keep the fish in the water. Hey, no need for oars in a drift boat either, COOL! :grin:

TillamookChinook · 12-05-2003, 12:43 PM

First things First!

First I have to catch the wild fish. I'm still working on that.

TC

lilnorthfork · 12-05-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

ODFW is currently doing genetic research to develope a new breed of human fisherman that with have arms 2 feet longer. This way no matter how high the gunnels, they can alway keep the fish in the water. Hey, no need for oars in a drift boat either, COOL!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">We know who will be the first to volunteer to clip those hatchery bred fishermen. :grin:

12-05-2003, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thumper:
So how do you release a fish from a boat with 30 inch or higher sides without netting it or falling in? I guess we could all use the clever Alaskan gaff-flip, or just lean way, way out ...

"uh-oh Billybob, that's one a them durn natives. Heer, ah'll jist lean over and release him, eyiiaaa ....." kersploosh ....blub-blub [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Leave it to you Jack to trivialize this situation :tongue:
Say does your new boat have 30 inch or higher sides?

Tanner · 12-05-2003, 12:59 PM

Hey you guys, Go back to your own board. :tongue: :grin:

Thumper · 12-05-2003, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stew:
Leave it to you Jack to trivialize this situation :tongue:
Say does your new boat have 30 inch or higher sides?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Hey Stew, I am not trivializing the problem. It is a real one. And yup, the new boat has 30-inch sides. What was the conclusion you guys reached?

KingFisher85 · 12-05-2003, 02:08 PM

So if we can't net them...bank them...or take them out of the water...how we supposed to get the hook out of them? Play them till they half dead?

lilnorthfork · 12-05-2003, 02:24 PM

I try to only catch leper fish. One good tug and off comes the face... Viola! hook is free. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

SKP · 12-05-2003, 02:30 PM

Cut the line.

SKP

SKP · 12-05-2003, 02:31 PM

Wait a minute, now I'm arguing against my own post. I want my Kwikfish back so I'm not going to cut my line.

SKP

Silver Hilton · 12-05-2003, 02:46 PM

Jack, I think you'll find you're OK. My boat has 29 inch sides and we don't have any problem. And I'm not any 7 ft basket ball player with 38 inch meathooks, either.

Tyeebuster · 12-05-2003, 03:37 PM

Over the last three years I have released numerous fish without netting them. I use single hooks and heavy leader with my Kwikfish. The hooks are mounted on swivels so the fish can twist and turn without the plug turning. When I determine the fish needs to be released (very soon after getting it close to the boat) I donn my trusty "blue gloves". When the fish gets close enough to the boat I grab the leader and work my way to the plug. when close to the fish I reach over with my pliers and "pop" out the hook. If the fish looks like it tired, I have my partner grab it by the tail so it can be revived.

If using barbless hooks the release is even easier. BTW I use 30 pound mono for leader and have not broke a fish off by grabing the leader.

12-05-2003, 04:21 PM

Hey guys I'm just the messenger here. Apparently the state police will be handling the situation so as far as what they have in mind or how they are going to enforce this? I don't have the answer.

[ 12-05-2003, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

rebell · 12-05-2003, 05:06 PM

You guy's are making this harder than it really is. I have been releasing wild steelhead from a drift boat for years with out a net, or taking them out of the water. And by the way, I am only 5'4".

The most important thing is single point barbless hooks. Save the barbed hook argument, it makes little or no difference. And if you truelly care about wild fish, you would not consider using a barbed hook for steelhead. Especially a treble hook, treble hooks are brutal on fish.

Drift fishing is probably the easiest way to CnR any fish. Fish are seldomly hooked deep, with or without bait. Most times they are hooked in the side of their mouth where it is easy to reach down with pliers to quickly remove the hook. I generally don't even bother with that. As soon as I have made the descision to release any fish, I will cut the line as soon as I can get hold of the leader. To H*** with the corkie, there cheep!!

Plugs are another story. I have plugs that I have fished for a number of years. I would go swimming to retrieve a couple of them, they have proven themselves as true fish producers. So over the years I have come up with what I feel is a good system.

I use single point barbless siwash hooks on a swivel. And I tie my plugs to a 20lb leader :shocked: . With the 20lb leader I can quickly grab the line with out to much fear of breaking the fish off. With a good glove I can quickly reach down with my pliers and remove the hook. One of the biggest key's is to look for softer water, and try and lead the fish in to that softer water.

The biggest key is to not go to light on your gear. I love light line fishing as much as the next guy. But if there is any possibility that I may be in to fish that need to be released, I will heavy up my gear some. I alway's try to get the fish up as quickly as possible so that I can identify it, then make my descision on what needs to be done. Hatchery brat, loosen up the drag and have some fun. Wild fish, tighten up and get serious, look for any soft water and get the fish released ASAP.

By the way, I use 30lb braid on my plug roods, then a swivel, then the 20lb leader. So far (knock on wood) I have been able to keep my best plugs :smile: .

STGRule · 12-05-2003, 05:12 PM

Mr. Rebell, you are a real sportsman.

And yes, this subject is my personal soapbox. So I think its a great thing.

[ 12-05-2003, 06:22 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

Flatfish · 12-05-2003, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the tip Stew. I did not know this was gonna be enforced.

Now I do. :smile:

Mark and the "Hey, it don't matter til I catch a fish and that aint happening anyways" dog.

12-05-2003, 11:59 PM

Taking a fish that is to be released out of the water is prohibited according to state regs and the state police will be enforcing it this coming year :shocked:
Just a heads up for everyone.
For boats with high side this is going to be difficult.
Anyway I guess it mentions it in the new fishing regs and we talked about it at our ANWS ex-com meeting last night.