by The Austrian » Mon May 06, 2013 10:59 pm
They are a good tool for certain tough-to-unhook toothy species, as long as they are not used to hoist the fish up out of the water putting all of their weight on the jaw.
When I lip a bass, coalie or pollock it stays in the water so it remains weightless; or if I do lift it out for a photo my other hand goes under it's belly before I lift. I do thumb schoolies but I'm convinced they are not harmed by it being of lower weights naturally.
The locking of the jaw structure of many fish with small teeth by pushing the fingers upward on what would be the chin has a stabilizing effect and stops the thrashing of the fish which often results when it's lip is pinned mechanically in a boga without said lockage.
Having watched many a fish in these grips, I am convinced that it's the thrashing of the fish while held by the tip of it's mandible completely out of the water that causes serious injury to the vertebrae and the internal connective tissue and leads to a delayed death.
Bare hands or gloves for me while handling fish, and the new rubberised nets are a really good choice.
In order to successfully practise C&R, I think it is very important to keep fish horizontally oriented and keep fingers and tools away from gills or avoid putting direct pressure on internal organs. With a little care to get a wet hand around the wrist of the tail and another under their pectoral fin area, along with keeping the time the fish is out of the water to an absolute minimum, fish mortality rates can be very low.
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” - Dalai Lama
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- For this message the author The Austrian has received thanks: 3
- Martin Mc Gowan (Tue May 07, 2013 1:25 pm), MC (Tue May 07, 2013 12:59 am), red (Tue May 07, 2013 8:36 am)