riffleman
Releasing Trout #1

Maybe this has been covered in a previous forum. What have you found to be the most efficient way to safely unhook trout over 12"? Under 12" I can usually reach for the hook and shake it loose. Over 12", I try to balance getting them to net without exhausting them, but that leaves them pretty difficult. I have tried the device that slides down the line, hemostats, and my fingers. A lot of times I seem to be one hand short.

Posted on: 2006/6/2 14:24

live2fish
Re: Releasing Trout #2

Holding them upside down (belly up) they usually lay still.

Posted on: 2006/6/2 18:18

Wulff-Man
Re: Releasing Trout #3

For me, it depends on the situation. My first option is to release them without using a net, but it depends on things like how active the fish is when I get him to me, how big the hook is, how he's hooked, and so on. The idea is to try to release him as quickly as possible and with as little handling as possible. If a net will help me do this, I use a net. For bigger fish I need to use the net more often. My first option for getting the hook out is to use my fingers, and if that isn't possible or looks like it will result in handling the fish excessively, I'll use the hemostat. I got one of those Ketch'emrelease things, but I found it too difficult to use. Maybe with practice it would work well. And as live2fish said, I hold them upside down to calm them down if I have to pick them up.

Posted on: 2006/6/3 11:35