bluefish

Carefully Release Them

Angler Home , , , , , , , , ,

Fishing isn’t always about catching. Occasionally we need to release our catch due to them being out of season, over the slot size or bag limit or you don’t want to keep them. Either way, if the angler chooses to release the fish, it must be done carefully to give it the best chance for survival.

The first step in releasing your catch is to quickly retrieve the fish to shore. During the fight, a fish uses up a lot of energy. The remaining energy is needed to feed, spawn or escape a predator. When the fish is exhausted and returned to the water after a long fight, they may not have enough energy to begin breathing again or to escape to safety. So we need to ensure the fight is short.

The next step to releasing is to minimize the handling of the fish. All species have a protectant film on the surface of their skin. This film helps to prevent infection but it also helps them slide thru the water quickly. When bringing a fish to shore, it’s best to use a plastic net. Also, try to keep the fish in the water or at least wet. Some nylon or cotton nets will strip the film off as the fish tries to escape. So I try to avoid using them.

Once the fish is in the net, most anglers will use a gripper or plyers to steady them. Their first instinct is pick up the fish vertically to take a photo or a measurement. This technique is extremely lethal for the fish. By holding the fish vertical and upright, the organs and tiny structures in the fish’s body are pulled by gravity toward the tail. Torn structures will not heal timely and possibly cause the fish to die soon.

Also you want be gentle when removing the hooks. Don’t grab the fish but gently and firmly hold the fish steady to grip the hooks. Pull the hooks to minimize any damage. I like to flatten the barbs on all my hooks to aid in the quick and safe release.

If you need to remove the fish from the water or net, hold the fish horizontally. Always keep your hands wet when holding a fish. Use the gripper to control the head but always support the mid-section and tail (see picture insert). This ensures that no stress is on the vital organs. Plus, by just resting the fish in your hands, no slime or protectant will be wiped off. You will be surprised how calm they can be when held properly.

Holding a fish for a picture can be the most stressful time for the fish and even a short time can mean the difference between recovery and survival.

When the time comes to release the fish, gently lower the fish in the water. Do horizontal swimming movements to help run water over their gills. And the fish will let you when they are ready to swim off. When ready just open your hands and they will swim away – usually with a big splash.

Never drop a fish from a pier or bridge or just toss in back into the water. This action can stun them and make them more susceptible to danger. They need to be re-introduced back into the water carefully.

So remember, when you need to release a fish, keep your hands wet, don’t squeeze them tightly and reduce the time it is handled out of the water.  The time out of the water and your handling techniques will determine it the fish will survive and swim away to be caught again.

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony

Bluefish Rule Changes

Angler Home , , , , , , , ,

On 28January 2020, the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) announced a modification that establishes new creel and bag limits for the Recreational Bluefish Fishery effective February 1, 2020 at 12:01 A.M. in all coastal fishing waters.

This new rule states:

Recreational anglers that are NOT fishing on a For-Hire vessel may possess up to three (3) bluefish per day per angler. This rule will apply to all anglers fishing from the shore-based areas and from all private vessels. No minimum size limit is indicated.

Recreational anglers that are fishing on a For-Hire vessel may possess up to five (5) bluefish per day per angler as long as the vessel carries the proper documentation. No minimum size limit is indicated.

For clarification purposes, the rule defines a “For-Hire vessel” shall be licensed in one of two ways:

1) Operator must possess a “For-Hire Blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License” (CRFL) for the vessel which will cover all anglers or;

2) Operator must possess a “For-Hire Fishing Permit” for the fishing vessel issued by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

As in all recreational fishing, please only harvest what the angler can use and release the ones you can’t use.

For more information on this rule and other rules, contact:  the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, phone 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at  www.ncmarinefisheries.net.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Can They See You

Angler Home , , , , , , , , , , ,

Most angler’s use the old game of hide and seek when fishing from a shore line or bridge. Most times without even recognizing that they are doing it.

Hide and seek is a popular kids game where they attempt to conceal themselves from being seen or heard. The goal of the game is to be the last player found.

Anglers frequently use the same skills of hide and seek. An angler who stands out on a bridge or shoreline with bright clothing, erratic movements or makes noise not natural to the area is sure to spook an already skittish target. So being stealth is the ticket for improved success.

Most targeted fish have tremendous eyesight and other senses that will warn them that danger is close. Anglers should keep this in mind when planning their next fishing trip, selecting a location or even what prey they plan to target.

Clothing is the first line of hide and seek. Wearing a contrasting shirt color against either a bright or cloudy day can warn the fish that some type of danger is present. So anglers should try to avoid standing out from the background.

A good rule is “If the sky is a bright blue, your shirt color should blue”. Similarly, if there is an overcast day, your shirt color should match as close to the background as possible. In this case, your clothing could be pale or light grey.

But what about partly sunny or clouds, colors should be neutral or natural. The best rule to follow is use only colors that are not bright or result in the angler to standing out.

Erratic angler movement can also influence a targeted prey to flee. When fishing on a bank or other structure, the angler’s movement is probably just as important as camouflage clothing. Trees or other vertical structures do not move erratically unless there is wind or significant weather condition.

Fish can sense the surrounding weather conditions including wave action, wind and other environmental influences, so they will know what is unnatural. Anglers should limit their movement to a minimum.

Unnatural sounds are also a component of stealth. Noise and unusual sounds that are not typically found in a specific location, such as loud voices, dropping gear, banging rods against railings or other such noises put up a warning. Unusual noise, banging of gear or even some levels of voices can be heard and possibly felt for some distance under the water.

Being stealth and using good camouflaging techniques will give you a significant advantage. Smart anglers consider these techniques as well as many others when trying to avoid being detected.

So next time you visit your neighborhood tackle shop, look a little closer in the camouflage section.

You might just find the color that can help improve your catches.

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony