With all the recent floaters at the local tournaments, I thought it might be a good time for a refresher course on keeping the fish alive. Although we practice catch-n-release, it does us no good if the bass merely survive the weigh-in to be released as turtle food. Aside from recommending immediate fizzing for deep fish plus keeping ice in the well, I'm no pro and value any tips or insight. I tried to search the archives for a very informative thread from Rogie on this topic but can only go back a year. If one of the mod's could dig it up and paste it to this thread, I believe our beloved bass would appreciate it.
Summer tournies and bass mortality...
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Gray Bomber
Well-known member
I would also like to see something on this. Myself and netman lost 2 fish yesterday. That was with the livewells running non-stop and rejuvanade in there with them. We also seen several floating around some of the other boats out on the river ledge. I think they was culling them before the died but some did'nt make it. Hate to see it but it can bee a very hard thing to avoid sometimes. Especially when your bringing in fish from 25+ ft. Something i've never done until this year.
Skeeter
Well-known member
Anyone know how deep a fish has to be before it definalty needs to be deflated? I was prepared for the tournament Saturday but didnt catch any deep fish.
We caught 3 fish out of 25 foot water lastnight and 2 of the three blew up like balloons. Then caught another smaller keeper later out of 15 foot water that blew up. So I think it has more about how fast you bring them up maybe?
Bprice
Well-known member
Jason, I'll have to do some looking, but I'll try to find the thread.
Bprice
Well-known member
Here are some good links: </p>
http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=12251&posts=1</p>
http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7335&posts=16</p>
http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=12251&posts=1</p>
http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7335&posts=16</p>
sdfd504
Well-known member
Here is a great article that was published for Falcon Lake in Texas but has some awesome info on how to properly take care of the fish in the hot summer time water.
http://www.sure-life.com/pdf/bass_champs_falcon_tips.pdf
http://www.sure-life.com/pdf/bass_champs_falcon_tips.pdf
rsimms
Well-known member
SpurHunter
Well-known member
</p>
I bet it does, as EricM uses 4lb line to catch all those fish from around the 25 foot mark this time of year, and I have never seen him post anything about having an issue with this. Slower retrival must be beneficial?</p>
beetlespin
Well-known member
I doubt it spur since the bass usually come straight to the surface on their own. If I had known the water temp was up to 83 Saturday I would have brought two frozen two liter bottles of ice with me. I have seen deep fish survive all day in the livewells without being fizzed if you keep the water cool. I think thermal shock might have been the problem.
Nice picture of madbomber in your avatar.
Nice picture of madbomber in your avatar.
SpurHunter
Well-known member
</p>
Nah, that is me when I get a really close haircut!
craazyboutbass
Well-known member
When we were fishing deep yesterday... We pulled the fish up pretty slow and released the fish right away. None of the fish puffed up or had any trouble making their way back down. We were fishing 18-28ft of water the entire time.
SpurHunter
Well-known member
</p>MadBomber - 6/9/2008 12:30 PM</p>SpurHunter - 6/9/2008 9:20 AM
</p>
Nah, that is me when I get a really close haircut!</p>
Nah! You just wish you were that good-looking!</p>
</p>
Buoy-Master
Well-known member
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Bprice
Well-known member
Billy I posted Rogie's message above, but here it is again: http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7335&posts=16</p>
Davo
Well-known member
Another thing that was in the post by sdfd was the handling of fish. I see way to many pictures of people holding fish almost horizontally by the jaw, overextending it badly. Always hold the fish vertically and if you do have to hold it horizontally be sure to support it with both hands.
