07/19 - LJK - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Freespool · 07-20-2009, 09:54 AM

I'm curious about people's opinions on handling an underling or other toothy fish you plan to release. If you look at the photo of the ling's mouth opened up, you'll notice a finger pressing one of the gills into the mouth bones hard enough to spread some of the gill material. I know lings are very resilient fish but I also know that gills are very sensitive. I wonder what effect this may have on CnR mortality. I hope none and this is not meant as a knock on you Afran at all. I don't really know what else you could possibly do to avoid that given the nasty teeth and sharp operculum/gill plate other than have a BogaGrip on hand or hold the mouth with pliers. I'm just wondering what people know or think about the effect. We don't always have tools at the ready when landing fish we plan to release and some fish are obviously harder to handle than others.

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07-20-2009, 09:54 AM	#8
Freespool Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La Jolla Posts: 42	I'm curious about people's opinions on handling an underling or other toothy fish you plan to release. If you look at the photo of the ling's mouth opened up, you'll notice a finger pressing one of the gills into the mouth bones hard enough to spread some of the gill material. I know lings are very resilient fish but I also know that gills are very sensitive. I wonder what effect this may have on CnR mortality. I hope none and this is not meant as a knock on you Afran at all. I don't really know what else you could possibly do to avoid that given the nasty teeth and sharp operculum/gill plate other than have a BogaGrip on hand or hold the mouth with pliers. I'm just wondering what people know or think about the effect. We don't always have tools at the ready when landing fish we plan to release and some fish are obviously harder to handle than others.