tips
Keep Fish Wet Tips help support the broader Principles. Most Tips do not require you to purchase more gear, but rather spend a little more time on preparation and mindfulness before heading out for a trip and while on the water. This list provides simple and easy actions that every angler can do.
BEFORE YOU GO FISHING
FOLLOW LOCAL REGULATIONS
In some places and for some species, it is illegal to remove fish from the water. Examples of this include wild steelhead, salmon, and bull trout in Washington State, and Atlantic tarpon over 40” in Florida. Likewise, some areas require barbless or circle hooks. Be aware of regulations and any waterbody-specific variations.
THINK TWICE BEFORE GOING AFTER SPAWNING FISH
Angling fish that are on route to spawning grounds or are in the act of spawning can disrupt a critical part of their life cycle and impact future generations. In some cases fish are especially vulnerable to capture when they are aggregating to spawn, or are especially aggressive as they defend nests and territories. Depending on the species of fish you are after and their spawning habits, you might want to forego fishing for them during their spawning season.
BE WARY OF WARM WATER
Be extra careful of how you handle fish when water temperatures heat up. The metabolism of fish is directly linked to water temperature and this, along with the exercise of angling, can make fish more vulnerable to the effects of catch-and-release. In most cases, dissolve oxygen decreases as water temperatures increase, meaning that it can take fish longer to recover from being angled. Overall, when temperatures increase, it becomes especially important to implement our Principles and Tips. (check out this Finsights for more details on water temperature and fish).
BEFORE YOUR FIRST CAST
USE BARBLESS HOOKS
Crimp the barbs on hooks. Not only do barbless hooks cause less damage to a fish’s mouth, but they are also much easier and quicker to remove - especially helpful when one ends up in your ear or finger! This not only applies to single hooks, but also treble hooks. (see this Finsights for more details on the science)
CONSIDER USING ARTIFICIAL BAITS
The number one cause of mortality for fish that are caught-and-released is hooking injury – usually from deep or foul hooking. Fish are much more likely to swallow live and natural baits leading to injury and mortality. If you’re intent is to only catch-and-release fish (and not to keep), consider using artificial baits and/or circle hooks (which also decrease rates of deep hooking).
USE RUBBER NETS
Rubber nets are less abrasive and do less damage to fish slime, scales, fins, and gills than knotted nylon mesh nets. Plus, hooks don't snag as much on rubber nets, which can help reduce time in captivity. (see this Finsights for more on the science)
LIMIT USE OF LIP GRIPPERS
Lip gripping devices should only be used on fish that you have no other way to control or handle, including toothy fish. Also, fish should never be held vertically by a lip gripping device (see Finsights for more details on lip grippers).
CARRY HOOK REMOVAL DEVICES
Carry easily accessible pliers or other hook removal tool, which will enable quick and careful hook removal. If the hooks are barbless, there is a good chance that a hook removal tool can help with release even without taking the fish out of the water. If a fish is deeply hooked, cut the line instead of trying to remove the hook.
WHEN YOU HOOK A FISH
LIMIT FIGHT TIME
Once hooked, a fish is essentially vigorously exercising when fighting on the end of your line. By landing a fish quickly and without over-playing it to exhaustion, you can reduce the physiological and muscular stress the fish incurs. To help with this, match your tackle to the targeted species and the conditions. If you can bring the fish to hand, do so rather than letting it make another run.
HOLD FISH IN OR OVER WATER
Fish are slippery creatures and can easily be dropped. When holding a fish, keep it in or slightly above the water - not over boats or land. That way, if dropped, the fish falls back into the water unharmed.
GRIP FISH CAREFULLY
Fish have sensitive internal organs, so hold them gently without squeezing. Avoid placing your hand over their mouth and gills since this obstructs breathing. If a fish is bigger than your hand, use both hands to hold it. With larger fish, grip the base of the tail with "A-Ok" finger formation and gently support the body close to the pelvic fins. Consider keeping very large fish in the water – for their safety and yours.
PHOTOGRAPH WET FISH
Try photographing your fish while it is in the water. This shows the fish in its element, and ensures that it can breathe. If you do quickly lift the fish for a photo, keep it as close to the water as possible. Also, let the photographer call the shots – 1, 2, 3…raise the fish...and get your shot. Keep air exposure to 10 seconds or less.
ONLY REVIVE FISH THAT CANNOT SWIM
A fish will do better recovering in its natural habitat unless it cannot swim away on its own. If a fish has lost equilibrium – the coordinated movements of its fins that allow it to remain upright and swim – it will need reviving before you let it go. Reviving a fish can be done in moving water by submerging the fish and holding its head facing into the current so that the water flows in the mouth and over the gills. In still water situations, move the fish gently to stimulate this effect. The exception is fish like tuna, billfish, and some sharks that are ram ventilators (i.e., need to swim with their mouths open to move water across their gills) and do need reviving. Keep them boatside and have the captain move the boat slowly forward to help facilitate their recovery. (see this Finsights for more info on reviving fish - and why you likely don’t need to do it).