Red Tide is thick - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Billy V · 06-11-2010, 10:41 AM

I've never had a BSB not be able to swim away and back down to the bottom, this one included.

I have caught quite a few of them over the years on the kayak so you need to learn how to handle them. That urgency is dictated by the fishes condition as it reaches the surface - some come up with liveliness and some are belly up and motionless.

-I don't puncture any part of the fish, and have never found it necessary. I wouldn't attach anything else to the fish that may cause it to tangle, or become hooked again.

Once I remove the hook, I peddle forward with my Hobie while holding the fish by the open mouth or by the gill plate. When water flows through the gills the fish will quickly recover and splash away.
(I can employ the same technique from the skiff)

That is exactly what was taking place in this pic that was shot by a fellow kayak angler.
Another successful release with hook removal.

With my method You See a Live Fish Strongly Swim Away - in the Video I saw a floundering fish get dragged to the bottom with 12 lbs of lead after much handling.

-scallywag- · 06-11-2010, 01:32 PM

Like the others said....DON'T POKE THE FISH!!!! Billys release tequnique is the best...keep the water flow'in over thier gills until they "fart" sometimes it takes a little while after that they will swim away happy....

Popping the swim bladder is bad for two reasons that I know of:
Infection..... and
Starvation

If the fish cannot obtain or maintain neutral bouyancy then it will be burning alot more energy just to maintain position in the water column tiring it out and burning up valuable hunting energy. This is just my guess as I have no "scientific evidence" to support it.

blackcloud9 · 06-11-2010, 03:45 PM

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ocal/archives/j_f_05_16-19.pdf

Here is an article on this recommendation from DFG.

But what do you do after 45 minutes of revival attempts, when it's still
belly-up? I carry a clean hollow needle for this scenario as a last ditch
effort, sorry but I do.

Whizz Bang · 06-11-2010, 05:07 PM

Rabble! Rabble! Rabble! BSB! Rabble! Swim bladder!

Must be the soup....just had a BSB come belly up on me last week. Tilted him upright and pedalled him a little ways (hobies are great for this) and he got real lively on me.

Dean Machine · 06-11-2010, 06:46 PM

The red tide is getting thicker/deeper.

06-11-2010, 10:41 AM	#1
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	I've never had a BSB not be able to swim away and back down to the bottom, this one included. I have caught quite a few of them over the years on the kayak so you need to learn how to handle them. That urgency is dictated by the fishes condition as it reaches the surface - some come up with liveliness and some are belly up and motionless. -I don't puncture any part of the fish, and have never found it necessary. I wouldn't attach anything else to the fish that may cause it to tangle, or become hooked again. Once I remove the hook, I peddle forward with my Hobie while holding the fish by the open mouth or by the gill plate. When water flows through the gills the fish will quickly recover and splash away. (I can employ the same technique from the skiff) That is exactly what was taking place in this pic that was shot by a fellow kayak angler. Another successful release with hook removal. With my method You See a Live Fish Strongly Swim Away - in the Video I saw a floundering fish get dragged to the bottom with 12 lbs of lead after much handling. Last edited by Billy V; 06-11-2010 at 11:04 AM.

06-11-2010, 03:45 PM	#3
blackcloud9 Kayaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla Posts: 413	http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ocal/archives/j_f_05_16-19.pdf Here is an article on this recommendation from DFG. But what do you do after 45 minutes of revival attempts, when it's still belly-up? I carry a clean hollow needle for this scenario as a last ditch effort, sorry but I do. __________________ Larry. Hobie Revolution 13. 25 years of kayak fishing La Jolla. https://larryl.com/photos

06-11-2010, 06:46 PM	#5
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	The red tide is getting thicker/deeper. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

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06-11-2010, 01:32 PM	#2
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	Like the others said....DON'T POKE THE FISH!!!! Billys release tequnique is the best...keep the water flow'in over thier gills until they "fart" sometimes it takes a little while after that they will swim away happy.... Popping the swim bladder is bad for two reasons that I know of: Infection..... and Starvation If the fish cannot obtain or maintain neutral bouyancy then it will be burning alot more energy just to maintain position in the water column tiring it out and burning up valuable hunting energy. This is just my guess as I have no "scientific evidence" to support it.

06-11-2010, 05:07 PM	#4
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	Rabble! Rabble! Rabble! BSB! Rabble! Swim bladder! Must be the soup....just had a BSB come belly up on me last week. Tilted him upright and pedalled him a little ways (hobies are great for this) and he got real lively on me.