CATCHING BASS DEEP

[REELWORLD42]

When you catch a bass in deep water while you arejust fish for fun or practicedo you release it immediatelyor do you need todeflate its swim bladder?I was just wondering if there has beenany research done on this, because when I'm fishing a tournament and catch a fish deep put it in the livewell it seems to be fine fore about 15 minutes then it starts floating on its side. Does the same thing happen to the fish 15 minutes later after releasing it back into the river?

 

[Hook1]

I don't think so. I think as soon as released, the fish goes back down to a comfortable depth and has no reason to adjust its swim bladder.

 

[REELWORLD42]

I was just wondering when does the air bladder start to swell, is iton the trip up from the bottom or after it is put in the live well. I watched a fishing show and they where fishing real deep 150 to 300 foot deep and the fish they caught there swim bladder would be extruding out the fish mouth.

 

[spnplgr]

If the fish's swim bladder is up in the fish's mouth when the fisherman first pulls him out of the water, there ain't no way he can go back down on his own. I have seen some fish blow their gust out their butt when he is pulled to the surface too quickly.

I have a good friend who insists he routinely brings fish out of the deep in such a way that he can be immediately released in good health. He says the trick is to bring the fish up very, very sloooooooowly. By doing so, he says he has successfully released fish caught in 50+ feet of water. Although I have never witnessed him do it, I respect his honesty and integrity enough to suspect it might work. You might give it a try. Why not? It's free and takes little effort.