Haris122 Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 I never understood that myself, especially when they toss them from several feet above the water surface so they smack the water hard, or with no regards for what kind of submerged structure they might get banged up against as they fall into the water.From a foot or so high I imagine it wouldn't be too bad, but otherwise it's like a person doing a belly flop or some other painful jump into the water, if not worse, from twice their body height. I always try to wet my hands a little, and then just hold them horizontally around their midsection until they swim away. Granted it doesn't always work like that. I've had a few slip out of my hands and squirm around on the shore, or slip out of my hands and smack the ground even harder, but by and large I think I manage to give them a pretty soft release. I bet it doesn't do them any favors when people hold them just by their mouth vertically too. Basically all the fishes weigh is hanging from it's mouth that way. Some species might have strong enough mouthparts to support that weight for a bit, but I think orienting them horizontally, like they swim through the water, and supporting their weight by holding around or underneath them is probably a good idea as well.
John Andrews Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Due to the winter blues and frozen water conditions, I've been watching a lot of fishing shows on weekends instead of fishing. Which sucks! But.........better to watch fishing than no fishing activity at all. I especially enjoy watching Major League Fishing. What a hi-stress situation to put the pros to the breaking point. Part of the series imposes a 2min penalty for every improper fish landing and improper release of fish. If the fish hits or touches the floor, their body (belly), there is a 2min penalty. If the pro tosses the fish, there's another 2min penalty. I've watched several people on shows simply chunk the fish back into the lake. This REALLY BURNS ME UP. I have a great deal of respect for the fish especially when I'm trying to release it safely vs. taking it home for table fare. I always release the fish slowly by holding it by the mouth and allow the fish to get it's bearings for a nice stress free release. Sometimes, I get a spash from the fish which means he/she was freakede out a bit and was still a bit stressed. If they swim away slowly, they are being released properly. I'm no scientists and no one has proven how smart fish are or how a carefull release of fish is impacting the fish itself (even though studies have been done). It's just my personal opinion that fish should be released carefully and gently. Respect your sport and don't "toss" fish or chunk them back into the water. That can cause damage in some instances. That's my soapbox for the day....... I AGREE. I go to great lengths to get them back into the water asap. For some reason "water sking" them across the surface hacks me off also. Dont know how many youtube videos I seen where some idiot drags the fish up the bank while bank fishing.
moguy1973 Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 We just watched three of them (in demand DVR) from the Chatauqua NY event. There were lots of bass pinned between legs. Never saw a penalty for that. Did see penalties for digging fish out of wrap ups, which is bizarre. The touching of the body rule started in the latest event up in Michigan. There were a lot of people complaining that them catching them with their knees and body was no different than them hitting the carpet on the first three events. While I agree to an extent with the rules that MLF has and I think it's great for them to practice fish handling this way, I think the stress put on the fish while having a hook through it's lips while being drug back to the boat on 70lb braid hurts the fish far worse than tossing them back into the water from waist high. I do love the show though, and I would really really like to fish the 2 lakes they fished up in Michigan...seemed like every smallie they caught was 3lb+ during some of the rounds... -- JimIf people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. -- Doug Larson
David Unnerstall Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 It never occurred to me that laying a fish on the carpet can affect the slime coat. I do believe I have done that for a picture, in the past, and now regret it.
Jerry Rapp Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I will bet that someday it will be illegal to throw a fish back, let it touch your clothes, let it touch the bottom of boat, etc. OMG! But you can still keep and eat six bass a day in Missouri, according to the regulations.
fishinwrench Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I'm all for either Keep it and Eat it, or release it UNHARMED immediately. And although I'm probably gonna catch hell for saying this ..... If you put it in a livewell and transport it to the other end of the lake, then you should just go ahead and have a daππn fish fry ! Its 2014 for Dog sake ! There are other (Better) ways to have a fishing contest that don't include hauling fish around. If you're gonna release it then release it immediately. Lets progress a bit here, can we? How many Rubbermaid baskets of dry bass do you need to see in your lifetime? I've seen enough of them to last me awhile.
bfishn Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I'm all for either Keep it and Eat it, or release it UNHARMED immediately. And although I'm probably gonna catch hell for saying this ..... If you put it in a livewell and transport it to the other end of the lake, then you should just go ahead and have a daππn fish fry ! Its 2014 for Dog sake ! There are other (Better) ways to have a fishing contest that don't include hauling fish around. If you're gonna release it then release it immediately. Lets progress a bit here, can we? How many Rubbermaid baskets!!! of dry bass do you need to see in your lifetime? I've seen enough of them to last me awhile. Absolutely!!! I can't dance like I used to.
fishinwrench Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Thank you! Are we just still doing this to keep Rubbermaid as an industry sponsor? Or what?
Jerry Rapp Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Thank you! Are we just still doing this to keep Rubbermaid as an industry sponsor? Or what? probably, we need a fish fry. All fish kept and cleaned legally of course.
fishinwrench Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 probably, i we need a fish fry. All fish kept and cleaned legally of course. Fried up my last bag of Fall whites last night. I'm officially on the wagon until the Spring run unless someone either invites me to dinner or I go catch some crappie or gills. There's always store bought salmon I guess.
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