Fizzing Video

[mojorig]

Here is a short fizzing video we made while working the last Winter Bass-o-Thon on Norfork Lake. We hope this shows how to easily fizz a bass, when needed.

 

http://https://www.facebook.com/708087842686746/videos/736437786518418/

[Kramr]

I'm willing to do this but what are the symptoms that indicate I should do this? 

[mojorig]

If the fish is swimming belly up or unable to swim down from the surface are typical signs of barotrauma.

[Kramr]

What is the minimum depth at which you start to see this. 20 ft, 30 ft. more?

[mojorig]

Typically, it occurs around 30ft (one change in atmosphere) but we have seen it happen to fish caught at 20 ft that were reeled in really fast.

[Ham]

It seems also that some fish are just more susceptible to it than others. Freshwater Drum are more wimpy about it than bass. 

[mojorig]

Like always, we would agree with Ham!!

[fishinwrench]

I've heard about this all my life it seems, but have never caught a fish that required "fizzing".  

So making a hole in the fishes swim bladder so that air/water can escape into its body cavity is doing the fish a favor ?   Has anyone ever tracked a fish after one of these procedures to verify its future health ?

Poking the needle in, and then pushing it backwards seems like it would tear a hole in something inside it.  

"Barotrauma"  

[nomolites]

Wrench, that's understandable - they usually don't require fizzing when caught from 3 FOW..

Good question though.  I've seen this on several occasions; have usually just cleaned those that would not recovered but there have been times when a sublegal was belly up.  I guess a chance through fizzing is better than none....I picked up some needles to give it a shot.

Mike

[fishinwrench]

You don't think they'll just burp/fart in a few minutes, straighten up, shake it off and go on about their business?    

Be sure to sterilize the rig between uses.  Wouldn't wanna spread dirty needle deseases.  I'm gonna start checking my fish for yellowing of the eyes.