On the Line

Catch-and-Release-to-Survive

by Mike Conner, Editor-in-Chief

During an address to the sportfishing media during the week of the ICAST sportfishing trade show in Orlando earlier this month, American Sportfishing Association (ASA) President and CEO Mike Nussman announced the launch of a commendable public awareness program, FishSmart.

"In fresh water we've done a great job in reducing fish mortality with fish that anglers catch," said Nussman. "More than 80 percent of anglers who caught fish that they could have kept, reported releasing some of them. In saltwater alone, the number of released fish exceeds 200 million annually, and with increasing regulations such as size limits, bag limits and seasons this number is sure to grow."

"However," as Nussman noted, "One of the keys to successful catch and release efforts is having the right kind of tackle that improves the chance that released fish will live. The overall FishSmart program is designed to address this and other fisheries conservation issues, such as angler education, head on."

It is a message that anglers have heard before, if not from an organization that represents our sport. This outdoor writer, and many others, have hammered this message home time and time again, with the realization that it does fall on deaf ears all too often. Particularly the ears of anglers who chase world records or look for headlines, or claim that the lighter the tackle, the more a fish can "show its stuff."

Sure, a long slugfest with a tough gamefish is thrilling, but in the long run, not ideal for that fish if it is to be released. What I hear all the time is that using tackle that shortens the battle measurably "takes the challenge" out of cathcing a fish. I will cite examples such as the guy I know who refuses to use a fly rod heavier than a 6-weight and light tippet for big Florida bonefish. Or the sports I have come across who are dead-set on catching big tarpon on spin tackle more suited for redfish. I used to fish with a fellow who cast a 4-weight fly rod for tailing redfish in the heat of summer and then babied them on his light tippet forever. It took 10 minutes to revive them to swim away, barely, and I am convinced they were a shark's lunch soon thereafter. I do not fish with him anymore. And I hope he doesn't do that anymore.

It all boils down to what is essentially "stunt" fishing and what is responsible catch-and-release fishing. If you plan to put your catch on ice for dinner, by all means go as light as you dare. Although most anglers beef up on tackle considerably when out for meat, don't they? There is even some evidence that overly long, drawn-out fights build up lactic acid levels high enough to affect the quality and flavor of fish flesh, so keep that in mind.

If you plan to release your catch, tackle up accordingly to catch them as quickly as possible. Otherwise it's just catch-and-release-to-die.

This hefty dock snook, caught by angler Jon Macca, was landed on a 9-weight fly rod in under two minutes, held out of water for less than 10 seconds for a quick photo, and swam away in great shape.