The red snapper recreational fishing season is finally here, and like many of you, I spent opening weekend on the water wetting a line. You probably caught more red snapper than you were allowed to keep (two per person per day), and therefore had to return some fish to the Gulf. In doing so, you practiced catch and release angling.
Catch and release angling can be an effective conservation tool, but only when done correctly. Below are some tips and tricks to help ensure the fish you release live to be caught another day.
Use the correct gear. Successfully releasing a fish starts before you even cast your line.
- Use circle hooks or barbless hooks to reduce gut hooking. Depending on the fish you’re targeting, circle hooks may be required.
- Use tackle strong enough to quickly land the fish you’re targeting. Reducing fight time will help ensure the fish is strong enough to survive once released.
- Use a knotless mesh or rubber landing net. This will allow you to boat the fish without touching it and causes less damage to the eyes, fins, scales and protective coating (e.g. fish slime).
- Remove the hook with a dehooker. When used correctly, dehookers minimize contact between the angler and the fish and reduce the amount of time the fish is out of the water.
Recognize barotrauma. Barotrauma refers to physical damage caused by changes in pressure. For a fish, barotrauma occurs when an individual is hooked at depth and rapidly brought to the surface. As the fish is reeled in, gas in the swim bladder quickly expands before it has the chance to naturally equilibrate, resulting in barotrauma. Barotrauma typically causes one of four injuries: a protruding stomach, bulging eyes, distended intestines or a bloated belly. Regardless of the injury, barotrauma can be mitigated using a few simple techniques.
Research has advanced the practice of catch and release angling. By arming yourself with the proper gear, learning how to recognize barotrauma and using descender devices or venting tools when appropriate, you can do your part to ensure the sustainability of Gulf fish stocks for generations to come.
NOAA Fisheries and Sea Grant have tons of information on the science and practice of catch and release angling. Check out those links and make use of those resources.
Meet the author
(J.) Marcus Drymon, Ph.D.
Marine Fisheries Extension Lead
Marcus is a marine fisheries ecologist, and his research interests are in applied fisheries ecology. The bulk of his research has focused on coastal sharks. He works on many commercially and... Read more
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