DIY Rockfish descender

[Hunters Pa]

Looks effective and well thought out.

Originally Posted by pbb

. Like the SFD, you can even put a rig below the swivel so you don't need to reel up to start fishing again if you are fishing/releasing deep. .

Keep in mind, though, that when fishing for certain species or having them on board you are limited to the number of hooks you can fish with. I could easily see this being considered an "active" hook in your setup, so you would need to count it in your number. Also, you are limited on active rods for certain situations, so fishing with one while "releasing" with another could be interpreted as fishing with two by a warden.

Not trying to detract from the innovation nor intent to release with better chances of survival, but if it helps someone avoid a ticket then it is worth reminding.

[roadx]

if your paranoid you could use a device like this to release fish at the depth you choose.


The Shallow Water SeaQualizer
This device has release depth settings of 30-50-70ft and is ideal for fish caught in water from 30 to 140ft. These fish aren't always suffering from barotrauma but the device reverses effects of thermocline changes as well!

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

Looks effective and well thought out.



Keep in mind, though, that when fishing for certain species or having them on board you are limited to the number of hooks you can fish with. I could easily see this being considered an "active" hook in your setup, so you would need to count it in your number. Also, you are limited on active rods for certain situations, so fishing with one while "releasing" with another could be interpreted as fishing with two by a warden.

Not trying to detract from the innovation nor intent to release with better chances of survival, but if it helps someone avoid a ticket then it is worth reminding.

[Saba Slayer]

I use a similar rig on the kayak...but I just use a San Diego knot and a squashed down barb with a snap swivel on each end...just put the upside down hook in the fish's upper lip and send em down.




On my skiff I use an inverted milk crate with weights on each corner and 75' of rope...so much easier to just drop the small fish in the water and send them down with the crate.