Doing whatever it takes.

Originally Posted by Dan

something i've done that helps the fish equilibrate it's air bladder and release is to tie a small hook with some 15lb line and connect the other end to your anchor. lip hook the fish - just barely - and lower the anchor half way down and then give the anchor rope a tug. usually the fish will break off or pull the hook and swim away since the pressure deflates the bladder to normal levels.

Hey Dan.. We tried that, with 40# test and the barb on the hook pinched down. We tried four times, and everytime, it thrashed just below the surface and either pulled the hook or broke the line and floated back up. It's a great trick and has usually always worked but this time, it didn't.