Fangen und schonend zurücksetzen

Releasing fish is common, sometimes because you must (minimum sizes, closed seasons) and sometimes because you want to. How you handle the fish decides whether it survives.

Before

• Use barbless hooks, or press the barb down with pliers. Unhooking is much quicker.
• Have forceps or a hook remover and a net with a rubberised mesh ready.
• Choose tackle strong enough that the fish need not be played until it is exhausted.

During

• Keep the fish in the water if you can, and unhook it there.
• If you lift it, wet your hands first and support the fish under its belly. Do not squeeze, and do not touch the gills.
• Be quick. The photo can wait until the hook is out, and a fish can manage about as long out of water as you can hold your breath.
• If the hook is deep, cut the leader close to the hook rather than tearing it out.

Fish from deep water

Fish brought up quickly from more than about ten metres can suffer pressure injuries: the swim bladder expands, and the fish floats or struggles to dive. Perch and zander from deep water are especially at risk. If you want to release the fish, fish shallower instead, or bring it up slowly and let it go at once, so it can swim down on its own.

A good photo without harming the fish

• Have the camera ready before the fish is out, and ask a friend to take the picture if you can.
• Hold the fish horizontally and support it under the belly, never only by the gills or the jaw when it is big.
• Keep it low over the water, so it lands softly if it wriggles free.
• Take a few pictures quickly, then let it go. Water first, photo second.

After

Hold the fish upright in the water, head into the current or moving slightly forward, until it swims off on its own. When the water is warm the fish is extra sensitive, so keep the handling even shorter.

Tick Released when you log the catch. The association can then see how much is released, and the catch report is right.