Keeping Deep Fish Alive

[WaterChap]

I’ve been reading about how fish caught from deep water can die of swim bladder problems because they don’t have time to acclimate to pressure. One site I read even talked about deflating the swim bladder with a needle.

I was wondering how often bass fishermen (and ladies!) experience this problem and what ya’ll do about it when it happens.

 

[Backlash]

When you find a fish floating on its side in your livewell, consider using fin clips as alternative to fizzing. These are clips with weights attached. Attach the clips to the fishes bottom fins and it will put the fish in an upright position and gives it time to acclimate to the change in pressure caused by bringing the fish up quickly from a deep ledge, etc These are available at Fishtales in Cleveland and other tackle shops. Also Tackle Warehouse has them.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

yep the fin clips are great while the fish are in the livewells but after weigh in if they still wont right themselves then fizzing is the right thing to do. keeping the live well water cool and well oxygenated is CRITICAL to the fish's survival.

 

[silvertalon]

Haven't yet fizzed any here on TN River (5 yrs), as I rarely fish below 15'. Used to fizz them all the time over on White River (Table Rock, Beaver), as we did a lot of jiggin spoon fishing. Most caught in the thermocline (20-28'), were ok depending on how fast you wound them up to the boat. The slower the better. The bigger problem comes when the thermocline breaks in early October- the fish scatter and can be found anywhere from 2 - 100' deep. A lot of guys fish deep flats with finesse jigs grubs and spoons (55-60'). all of them need to be fizzed. I rarely went that deep but the one's I did have to fizz were from around 28-40'. I presume that here on TN River it's similar - 25' or deeper.

 

[churly]

Everything I caught Saturday came from 20’+. Every fish was given flip clips. I also have a pure oxygen injection system I built last week. All my fish were in super shape and only 1 4lber had to be fizzed at weigh in release. If you want to learn how to fizz, go to a CBA weigh in and watch them do it for yourself, if done incorrectly, you kill the fish.

 

[churly]

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/didyouknow/inland/livewells.phtml

 

[silvertalon]

churly - 7/16/2018 4:52 PM

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/didyouknow/inland/livewells.phtml

Great info and read! Our biggest concern should be the post release mortality rate (1-3 days after release). Its unfortunate that oxygen starved bass will still appear healthy but die in a day or so. One of their tests was shocking that 50 % of one tournament's bass died shortly after release. I'm convinced the mortality rate is higher than we think it is when the water is 88-90. like now. I'd like to see at least one boat company start installing O2 injection systems onto their boats and I'm sure that as competitive an industry we have, others will follow suit. We need to realize that the larger our bass industry grows, the more bass we will loose from tx catch and release. Ever notice how bass will get their noses up to the recirc flow or fill flow- more so in warm water?

 

[31airborne]

+1 on fin clips. Fizzing (deflating the air bladder) a fish isn't something to be done carelessly or in a hurry. It takes care and attention to detail to do it correctly.

 

[jb366]

I've never had a problem with needing to fizz fish on the TN river. Summertime smallies on Cherokee are a different story.

 

[WaterChap]

I’m now trying to figure out how to make my ancient livewell more effective with limited funds. Sounds like oxygen injection with a bubble aerator to release CO2 is my best solution. In the meantime, I hope I can do OK with ice bottles or bags, bubble aeration and Release Me solution.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

WaterChap - 7/17/2018 12:03 PM

I’m now trying to figure out how to make my ancient livewell more effective with limited funds.

this: https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...-bubbles™-12-vdc-air-pump#repChildCatid=12054

and VT-2 vents and youre good to go and under $100

 

[WaterChap]

Rusty,

Will the bubble aerators really do the trick, esp in Summer? I was reading some articles that were making me think that they weren’t sufficient.

 

[silvertalon]

WaterChap - 7/17/2018 5:25 PM

Rusty,

Will the bubble aerators really do the trick, esp in Summer? I was reading some articles that were making me think that they weren’t sufficient.

IMO, you still need a re-circ pump and need to replenish your water a few times per day. Meaning, replacing 1/2 your water a few times per day while, running the pump and stones. When the water is below 80, you can relax a little and probably won't need ice. Read the article/study at the top of this thread.

 

[porthos33]

Fin Clips are the deal! We have used them all summer with great success. If the fish is really big we usually use two, one on each fin. G juice is great. I've seen fish fizzed that have swam off great and then I've seen a couple that sink straight to the bottom! It was kind of funny b/c we all looked at each other like "What The Heck!"

 

[churly]

to correctly fizz a bass you need to pay attention to the buoyancy of the fish. While holding it underwater the minute you feel him "stop floating" you need to pull the needle. You dont want all of the air to be released. Also, if you dont know exactly how to fizz, dont do it. If you take a quick pic and immediately release the fish you wont have to worry about it.

 

[FirstLight]

Thats a good point - we have been doing that the last few trips. Snap a quick pic, release, and she swims straight down with no problems....

 

[FishingwithRusty]

WaterChap - 7/17/2018 5:25 PM

Rusty,

Will the bubble aerators really do the trick, esp in Summer? I was reading some articles that were making me think that they weren’t sufficient.

its pretty much all i use, it literally looks like a jacuzzi in my livewells when its on, its difficult to see down into the water for all the air bubbles coming up. i will turn on the recirc pumps when im running sometimes.

with cooler water, additive, fin clips, bubbler and VT-2 vents ive not had any problems keeping fish alive and a carbonated drink for the bleeders(which works most of the time). then fizz them if needed after weigh in.

one other thing to note is NOT using cull tags as much on fish caught deep in the summer months, theyre fighting to stay upright as it is, adding something pulling their head up, throws off their balance, makes them work harder and exert more energy.