SCDNR has furnished me with a Sequalizer release tool. They offered it based on a few parameters based off my charter license. I’m sure a few others have gotten them as well. I fished yesterday and used it for the first time.
You will see in the video attached below that it works as described. You can set it to release at 50/100/150’. Since I was in 90’ of water I had it set at 50’. I could not really tell when it released but got the hang of it as the day went on. I basically let it to the bottom each time. I think the next time I use it that I will be able to tell when/where it releases and not need to lower it all the way.
I will only go so far as to endorse the product for doing what it is sold to do which is to release fish at a preset depth. I make NO claim as to the effectiveness of relieving any type of barotrauma, I’ll leave that to the scientists.
The first fish was about an #8 gag grouper that took all of the 500 gram jig I used as the weight to bring it down slowly. The second clip are small red snapper that my son was catching as fast as I could release them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bXga-dv8f8&feature=youtu.be
The fishing was good once I found the fish. The nearshore water was cold and nasty. We found good supply of mostly juvenile fish and some nice sea bass and triggers for the table. All fish were caught on jigs.
