A post on descending devices has been on the to do list for a while, so here goes.
The descending device we use is the Seaqualizer. Since required by regulation, there is a lot of skepticism about these devices. Oddly, it seems the boat has to have one but using it isn’t required. Here are few lessons learned on using the device, at least in water depth of 200 feet or less.
The most important lesson is that they seem to work pretty well and are worth using, in my opinion. No devices have been lost to sharks yet.
The device should be mounted on a heavy rod. We use an inexpensive spinning outfit. Too light an outfit and reeling the contraption with weight back up is too hard.
Have the device at hand - fully rigged and ready including the weight. If it takes too long to get the fish back down, the fish may not recover. The only time I recall a fish popping back up it took several minutes to get the fish on the device and descended.
There are fish that don’t seem to need the device. Triggerfish can let out air. Fish that naturally move up and down in water depth all the time don’t seem to need it. Good examples are AJ’s and almaco jjacks. Use the device when needed, not every time you release a fish.
Other fish that are truly demersal almost always need the descending device in water deeper than, say 75 feet. Grouper are the worst for blowing up. ARS are also prone to expansion, at least in deeper water. Grouper and ARS are also likely to grow into something useful if safely released. We pretty much assume grouper should go down with the device.
Use enough weight but not too much. The recommended weights are too heavy. If you might release a 20-pound grouper outside of the scheduled season, then the recommendation is for something like a five-pound weight. This isn’t practical and almost impossible to have rigged and ready. We use a heavy bank sinker, and it has not failed.
One member of the crew should know how to use the device and be responsible. Sort of basic management but if no one is responsible the fish may not be released promptly.
The crew member responsible will need to set the depth on the device properly. Wrong setting - no workie.
A grouper saved is grouper fingers in the future.