Fishtales
Some Tips on How to Release Fish Safely
By
Jul 3, 2008 - 9:05:42 AM

A new regulation began the month of June which says a person onboard a vessel harvesting any species of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico waters must possess and use non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with natural baits, a de-hooking device and a venting tool. Reef fish species include all of your snapper, grouper, sea bass, amberjack, gray triggerfish, hogfish, red porgy, and golden tilefish.

Circle hooks are fishing hooks made so that the point is turned perpendicular to the shank to form a circular or oval shape.

De-hooking tools or dehookers are instruments that allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging when the hook is removed from a fish. It must be blunt, have rounded edges and be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook size and styles used in
the Gulf reef fishery. There is a wide variety of de-hooking tools on the market in today’s world.

Remember, if a fish swallows the hook, it is best to just cut your line as close as possible to the hook and let your fish go -- he will still live.

There are many rules for handling fish before releasing them, which some abide by and others do not. If we are to stay “The Fishing Capital of the World,” we must be ever mindful of how to save our marine resources and do all possible things to protect them.

How many of you knew that if you remove a fish from the water with a net that it should be knotless? Never lift your fish by the jaws if he is to be released as this may keep him from future feeding or hurt his internal organs.

Use wet hands to handle a fish, NOT a towel. If he is exhausted, don’t release him until you have him revived by moving him forward in the water with his mouth open until he shows movement again. Never put your hands in a fishes’ gills, unless you intend to keep it.

You might need some venting tools to release gases from a deep water catch. An icepick is illegal as well as a knife -- use a 16-gauge needle affixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A fish is too valuable to catch only once, so be ever careful in the method you release it.

Those with larger boats fishing in deep water tell me that fishing has been fantastic with great schools of gag-grouper, snapper and dolphin. Many are following the tarpon as they jump across the bay -- with a few catch-and-release photos.
Those smart enough to fish the outgoing tides have enjoyed great redfish catches; one keeper per day not less than 18” or more than 27”. Reports coming in that the bay is alive with bait fish, scaled sardines and pinfish.

Many catch-and-release snook have been caught in all waterways, with snook an illegal catch through August. Some catches of black sea bass have been boated. It will take a few to make a fish fry of this 13-14”white meat. Minimum size is 10” with a bag limit of 15. It is a mild flavored fish as they are from the same family as grouper.

Flounder catches from piers have been reported. Must be 12” for a legal catch and 10 per day. Cobia are still in the swim around all waterways. Black drum are large in size and a fun catch for those fishing brackish waterways. Small ones are okay to eat, but watch the worms in the larger fish.

I saw many trailered boats at Simmons Park -- a great ramp to the bay. Look around and you will see many boats anchored at Williams Park safe port or at docks around the bay because of the high cost of gasoline.

Fish from shore, off bridges, piers or any land legal until the price of gasoline goes down. Don’t put your boat up for sale as some have.

You live here, enjoy our waterways, relax, fish and have a safe, happy FOURTH OF JULY.
 -- Aleta Jonie Maschek is a ­member of Florida Outdoor Press­.
















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