Catch and Release Techniques
Tips for a successful release:
- Wet your hands before handling the fish to avoid removing the protective layer of mucus.
- Avoid touching the eyes and gills.
- Handle the fish as little as possible and keep it in the water during handling.
- Keep the catch as gentle as possible.
- Avoid fishing at depth; if you do, extend the duration of the fight so that the fish can adapt to changes in depth.
- Remove the hook gently, or cut it off if it is too deeply set.
- Give the fish time to recover in the water without forcing it to move back and forth.
- Avoid catch-and-release fishing when the water is too warm.
- Have all the necessary equipment on hand.
- If you only fish to release, you can remove the barbs from the hooks.
