Fish Handling Considerations

[Wildfisher]

I must admit I like to see a fish photo in a report style post. It's variability of the fish that appeals to me more than the size. Probably the absolute best looking fish are below 2lb anyway unless they are from  a rich feeding environment.

Most fish I photograph I tend to hold and any bigger ones I try to keep in the net if I can. It's more difficult on a boat. I have to say  am never absolutely happy about the photographing as it must stress the fish more the longer it takes to release it. That said it's got to be better than killing them. I'm sure the fish would think so anyway.  :lol:

[burnie]

Coarse fishers took this to a whole new level, with specialist sacks for fish to recover in before handling, padded mats for unhooking on and putting under a fish so if it wriggles it won't get hurt if it hits the deck. There's special weighing slings to reduce damage and even a bottle of ointment to put on the fishes mouth where the hook went in, so they don't get any infections(yes I still have most of these!!)
As someone who has spent most of his life returning his catch(mostly fish you would not want to eat, from waters that just might make you ill), I always handle fish with wet hands, cold too as fish are cold blooded and feel heat more than anything else, fish to be eaten are despatched as quickly and efficiently and I treat my quarry with respect.