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JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

TRIM
harvestING & reLeasING GuIdeLINes
Many anglers carefully release their
catch rather than taking it home. This
effort has contributed greatly to the
Circle hooks reduce the number of gut-hooked
fish and have been shown to greatly increase
survival of smallmouth bass, striped bass, and
quality of fishing in Tennessee. Likewise, trout. Rather than a quick hook set, when using
keeping fish (harvest) at the right times circle hooks slowly pull the line tight to set the
contributes to fishing quality. Here are some
things to consider as you decide whether to
keep or release fish.
hook.
use of artificial baits over live bait can also
increase survival. Artificial lures generally hook
Striped Bass are stocked in many of Tennessee’s
large reservoirs to provide trophy fishing
opportunities. Striped bass are extremely sensitive
ReleasiNg fisH
fish in the mouth. Live bait is more likely to be
swallowed by fish, which is much more lethal
to warm temperatures. Water temperature is key
to deciding how and when to release striped bass.
A poorly handled fish will most likely die after
it swims away, even if it appears healthy. If you
choose to release a fish, help it by following these
tips that apply to all species:
Ε Don’t play the fish to exhaustion.
Ε Release the fish quickly.
Ε If the fish swallows the hook or lure simply
cut the line.
Ε Keep the fish in the water as much as
than mouth hooking. Anglers may also enjoy the
challenge of learning to catch fish on the wide
variety of artificial baits.
Fish caught from deep water may be
depressurized. Common symptoms include
over-inflated swim bladders, red coloration in
fins, and the inability to submerge when released.
If you routinely fish deep water, you should know
how to handle these fish.
Here are a few guidelines:
Ε Harvest fish if water temperature exceeds
70
possible.
Ε Keep the fish’s slime coat intact by wetting your
Ε Do not attempt to deflate the fish’s swim
bladder with a needle (fizzing).
hands or gear that will touch the fish.
Ε Take pictures, but do not hold a fish out of water
Ε Quickly release the fish; many will return to
their depth of capture on their own.
longer than you can hold your breath.
Bait fishing with circle
hooks can greatly improve
Ε If the fish cannot submerge on its own, use a
weighted releasing device to help it return to
its depth of capture.
the survival of released fish.
These hooks are designed to
only hook fish in the mouth. Circle hook
oF. Striped bass have high oxygen
requirements and survival is low for fish
returned to warmer water. Larger fish are
more likely to die from oxygen deprivation
than smaller fish.
Ε Do not cull striped bass. If water temperatures
are above 70 o TEMPLATE PUBLICATION
F, keep NJ your FISH & legal WILDLIFE number of fish
for the day. Do not keep fishing after you have
caught your limit.
Ε Use circle hooks to avoid gut-hooking fish; sizes
9/0 and 10/0 are recommended.
Ε Reel striped bass in as fast as possible and do
not play to exhaustion. Release as quickly as
possible.
Ε Handle quickly with wet hands and hold fish
by the lip with tail pointed directly toward
the ground.
COVERAGE UP TO $ 10,000
ON FISHING EQUIPMENT.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and Progressive Direct Ins. Co. and their affiliates, Mayfield Village, Ohio. Available in most states. Also sold through brokers in CA & NY.
Optional Fishing Equipment Coverage is subject to policy terms, and is not available for all boats and coverage selections. 07P00383 (12/07)
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