I found this online...
Given that these fish can dissolve the hooks relatively easily, the best method for releasing becomes obvious. I cut the line or leader off the hook as close to the eye as possible. Fish hooked in the gills are less likely to survive, but leaving the hook in place is far better than trying to remove it. Fisheries biologists confirm that the survival rate is extremely high if we simply leave the hook and cut the line.
Did you ever notice that fish hooked in the mouth area or in the stomach area never bleed? Bleeding fish will invariably be hooked in the gills, where their blood flows to gather oxygen from the water. The mouth area does not bleed. Fish are constantly being poked and stuck during their normal course of feeding. Larger fish, feeding on smaller fish are constantly being stuck in the mouth area with dorsal and anal fins - and painlessly, I might add. A hook is simply another fin to them.
Once the line is cut, I will make sure their air bladder has not been distended. If it has, a small puncture with a needle or the point of a hook will allow the pressure to equalize, and they can then swim back to the bottom.
Handle the fish as little as possible and make this a quick return to the water.
Given that these fish can dissolve the hooks relatively easily, the best method for releasing becomes obvious. I cut the line or leader off the hook as close to the eye as possible. Fish hooked in the gills are less likely to survive, but leaving the hook in place is far better than trying to remove it. Fisheries biologists confirm that the survival rate is extremely high if we simply leave the hook and cut the line.
Did you ever notice that fish hooked in the mouth area or in the stomach area never bleed? Bleeding fish will invariably be hooked in the gills, where their blood flows to gather oxygen from the water. The mouth area does not bleed. Fish are constantly being poked and stuck during their normal course of feeding. Larger fish, feeding on smaller fish are constantly being stuck in the mouth area with dorsal and anal fins - and painlessly, I might add. A hook is simply another fin to them.
Once the line is cut, I will make sure their air bladder has not been distended. If it has, a small puncture with a needle or the point of a hook will allow the pressure to equalize, and they can then swim back to the bottom.
Handle the fish as little as possible and make this a quick return to the water.
