Holding a fish might seem straightforward, but it’s a skill that requires care, knowledge, and respect for the animal. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, handling fish properly is crucial for their survival and your enjoyment of the sport. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best practices for holding a fish, focusing on safety for both you and the fish, and ensuring a healthy release back into its habitat. We’ll cover different types of fish, essential tools, and step-by-step instructions to help you master this vital skill.
Why Proper Fish Handling Matters
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why proper fish handling is so important:
- Fish Safety: Fish are delicate creatures. Their protective slime coat, scales, and internal organs can be easily damaged if handled improperly. Rough handling can lead to stress, infections, and ultimately, death, even if released back into the water.
- Ethical Angling: As responsible anglers, we have a duty to minimize harm to the fish we catch. Proper handling ensures the fish has the best chance of surviving after release. This contributes to the sustainability of fish populations and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
- Personal Safety: Some fish have sharp teeth, spines, or venomous fins. Handling them incorrectly can lead to injuries. Knowing how to hold a fish properly reduces the risk of getting hurt.
- Better Photos: Let’s be honest, most of us want that perfect picture with our catch! Knowing how to hold a fish safely will ensure you have a well-composed and ethical photo.
Understanding Fish Anatomy for Safe Handling
Understanding the basics of fish anatomy is key to handling them correctly. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Slime Coat: Fish are covered in a protective layer of slime. This slime helps prevent infections and parasites. Touching a fish with dry hands can remove this slime, leaving it vulnerable.
- Scales: Scales protect the fish’s skin. Rough handling can damage or remove scales, making the fish susceptible to infections.
- Fins: Fish have various types of fins, including dorsal fins, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, anal fins, and caudal fins (tail fin). Some fins are sharp and can be painful if handled carelessly.
- Gills: Gills are the respiratory organs of fish. Never touch or handle a fish by its gills. Damaging them can suffocate the fish.
- Mouth: Some fish have teeth that can inflict a bite. Be cautious when handling fish with teeth.
- Internal Organs: Fish have internal organs that are susceptible to injury from excessive squeezing or dropping.
Essential Tools for Safe Fish Handling
Having the right tools can make a big difference in how safely you handle fish. Here are some essential items to consider:
- Wet Hands: Always wet your hands before touching a fish. This helps to preserve their protective slime coat.
- Gloves: Using fish-handling gloves can protect your hands from spines and hooks and will not harm the fish. Use gloves that are not abrasive, rubber coated is best.
- Lip Grips: Lip grips (also called fish grippers) are designed to securely hold a fish by the lower jaw, allowing for safe handling, weighing, and photo opportunities. Be careful using these as some fish are delicate and can be damaged by too much pressure from the grippers.
- Landing Nets: Landing nets are essential for safely bringing a fish onboard. Choose a knotless rubberized mesh net to minimize damage to the fish’s scales and slime coat.
- Hook Removers: Various types of hook removers are available, including pliers and dedicated hook-out tools. Use them to quickly and safely remove hooks without causing additional injury.
- Measuring Device: A ruler or measuring tape is useful for accurately measuring fish while they are in a net or on a surface.
- Weighing Scale: A portable scale is useful for weighing your catch, often combined with lip grips.
- Live Well (If Applicable): If you plan to keep a fish temporarily, a live well with proper aeration is necessary to maintain its health.
- Camera: To capture the moment!
Step-by-Step Guide to Holding a Fish
Now, let’s get into the specific steps for holding a fish safely and ethically. The method you use may vary depending on the size and type of fish.
Step 1: Prepare for the Catch
Before even casting your line, it’s essential to be prepared. Make sure you have all your tools within easy reach and that you have a clear idea of what you will do once you’ve landed a fish.
- Ready your landing net: Have your net within easy reach, so you can quickly scoop the fish as it comes close to the boat or shore.
- Wet your hands: If using your hands to handle the fish, wet them thoroughly with water.
- Prepare your camera: If you plan to take a photo, have your camera ready to go.
- Designate a work area: If possible, designate a specific area on your boat or shore where you will handle the fish. This helps to avoid chaos and keep your gear organized.
Step 2: Landing the Fish
Landing a fish smoothly and quickly is important for reducing stress. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Use a net: Always use a landing net to bring a fish out of the water whenever possible. A net helps to support the fish and minimize its struggle.
- Net Head First: Guide the fish head first into the net. This helps to avoid it getting tangled and allows for a quick lift.
- Avoid Lifting by the Line: Never lift a fish out of the water by the fishing line. This can cause injury to the fish, especially larger fish.
- Be Gentle: Avoid jerking or yanking the fish, as this can cause harm.
Step 3: Removing the Hook
Removing the hook carefully and quickly is essential. Here are some tips:
- Use Hook Removers: Use a pair of pliers or a dedicated hook remover to dislodge the hook quickly and efficiently.
- Work Quickly: The longer the hook is in the fish, the more stress it causes. Work as quickly and smoothly as possible.
- Minimize Handling: Avoid excessive handling during the hook removal process.
- Cut the Line (If Necessary): If the hook is too deeply embedded, it is sometimes best to cut the line as close to the hook as possible. The fish might be able to naturally expel the hook. Never force a hook out if it causes injury.
Step 4: Holding the Fish (Hands-on Method)
If you’re going to hold the fish with your hands, do it correctly:
- Keep Your Hands Wet: Before touching the fish, ensure your hands are wet.
- Support the Fish: Hold the fish horizontally, supporting its weight with both hands. Place one hand just behind the pectoral fins, and the other hand underneath the fish’s belly just before the tail fin.
- Avoid Squeezing: Never squeeze the fish tightly, as this can cause internal organ damage.
- Control Movement: Hold the fish firmly but gently, preventing it from flopping around.
- Keep Gills Dry: Never touch the fish’s gills. Keep them out of contact with your hands and ensure they can get access to the air.
Step 5: Holding the Fish (Lip Grip Method)
Lip grips offer a more secure way to hold a fish, especially larger ones. However, it’s important to use them correctly:
- Use Carefully: Apply lip grips to the fish’s lower jaw only. Do not clamp down too hard, as this can injure the fish.
- Support the Fish’s Weight: With larger fish, be sure to still support the weight of the fish under the belly. Never suspend a fish completely by its jaw.
- Avoid Twisting: Be careful not to twist or rotate the lip grips as this can cause damage to the fish’s jaw.
- Use with Caution: Lip grips are not appropriate for all fish. Some species have delicate jaws and should not be held this way.
Step 6: Taking a Photo
If you’re going to take a photo, do it quickly and efficiently:
- Have the Camera Ready: Make sure your camera is ready to go before holding the fish.
- Keep the Fish Low: Hold the fish low over the water or the net. This will make it much easier to release the fish quickly after a photo, reducing time out of the water.
- Avoid Placing on Dry Surfaces: Never place a fish on hot, dry surfaces like the deck of a boat or dry rocks. This will quickly damage their slime coat and increase their stress.
- Take the Picture Quickly: Minimize the time the fish is out of the water by taking a few quick photos.
- Skip the Photo: If you don’t feel confident you can take a photo quickly, or the fish is struggling excessively, prioritize a quick release.
Step 7: Releasing the Fish
A successful release is the final and most important step:
- Support the Fish: Gently lower the fish back into the water. Hold it by its tail and body, and allow it time to adjust.
- Revive the Fish: If the fish appears tired or sluggish, gently move it back and forth in the water. This allows water to pass over its gills and helps it to recover.
- Observe Before Releasing: Make sure the fish swims away strongly before letting it go. If it appears disoriented or is floating on its side, give it more time to recover.
- Release in Calm Water: If possible, release the fish in a calm area of the water that isn’t subject to strong currents.
- No Tossing: Never throw or toss the fish back into the water.
Specific Fish Handling Considerations
Different species of fish require slightly different handling techniques. Here are a few considerations for some common types of fish:
Trout
- Trout are known for their delicate skin and scales, so extra care is needed when handling them.
- Keep your hands wet and use a rubberized net to protect their slime coat.
- Minimize the time trout are out of the water.
Bass
- Bass have a larger mouth which can be held with a lip grip. However, do not hang a bass vertically by its mouth only; always support it with your hand.
- Be aware of their sharp gill plates.
- Handle with care and minimize their time out of the water.
Catfish
- Catfish have sharp spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins, so be cautious when handling them. Use gloves and avoid grabbing them directly behind the fins.
- A lip grip can work well for holding catfish.
- Be careful to avoid being poked by their spines.
Pike and Muskie
- These fish have sharp teeth and can be difficult to handle. It’s recommended to use a long handled set of pliers.
- Lip grips can be used to help control their head, but you should always support the rest of their body.
- Be careful and be sure to have a plan of action before bringing the fish on board.
Saltwater Fish
- Saltwater fish species can vary significantly in their size and characteristics.
- Always research specific fish species to be aware of any spines or teeth.
- Be especially gentle and avoid squeezing them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Handling Fish
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Dry Hands: Never handle a fish with dry hands.
- Squeezing: Avoid squeezing the fish too tightly, which can injure its internal organs.
- Touching the Gills: Never touch or handle a fish by its gills.
- Dropping: Never drop a fish on hard surfaces.
- Excessive Handling: Avoid handling a fish any longer than necessary.
- Vertical Holding: Never suspend a fish vertically by its mouth alone, especially large fish.
- Long Time Out of the Water: Minimize the amount of time a fish is out of the water.
- Forcing Hooks: Never forcibly remove a hook. Cut the line and leave it in if necessary.
Conclusion
Holding a fish is a responsibility, and learning to do it correctly is essential for ethical angling. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can minimize harm to fish, improve their chances of survival after release, and enhance your overall fishing experience. Remember, the goal is always to enjoy the sport while being respectful of the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. Always prioritize the fish’s wellbeing and handle your catch with care, and you will have not only great photographs, but the peace of mind knowing you did your part in conserving our fish populations.