So I had a situation last weekend that I need some clarification on…
Someone next to me caught an undersized trout by an inch. The fish had swallowed the hook and was clearly not going to live if released. Being sportsmen we both could not bring ourselves to knowingly release a dying fish and make a bad situation worse by wasting the meat. We ended up releasing the fish which was against everything we believe as ethical outdoorsmen. What do we do in a situation like this?
if you kept it and DNR stopped you he could write you a ticket for an undersized trout…sucks but consider that fish food for another fish or animal…life cycle, not harming your wallet…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Yeah, I just consider it crab food and move on. It sucks, I know, but when I switched exclusively to circle hooks a few years ago, my accidental kill rate plumeted.
There is only one choice. Release it and hope for the best. Nothing goes to waste in the sea.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
About 15 years ago I had the exact same situation. I chose to keep a dead undersized trout and Mr. DNR was at the boat ramp when I rerurned. I explained that the fish was bleeding and almost dead when I landed it. He advised me that it didn’t matter, that under-sized fish must be relased no matter the condition of he fish in question. He let me off with a written warning and scolding. I smiled, shook his hand, apologized and said thanks. Good lesson learned.
Jack Taylor
I once caught a redfish with a couple inches of leader attached to a hook hanging out of the fish’s butt. only the straight part of the hook and leader were visible. I know its not a trout, but fish have the ability to pass the hooks through their GI systems. In my opinion, fish are more harmed by the attempt to remove the hook from their gut. When I gut hook a fish, I cut the leader as short as possible and release the fish without trying to remove the hook.
Barbawang- Are there any studies on the mortality of gut hooked fish?
Thanks guys. Great info. I feel better knowing we did the right thing, it sure was hard to stomach though.
If the fish will absolutely die, it makes no difference if you eat it or his brothers and sisters eat it. So why the broken heart? It’s not going to waste. It’s just not going on your dinner table. The heartbreak should be over the death, not over the loss of a meal, right?
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120Yes true…probably a bit of both.
quote:Please let me know if you are ever on James Island. I want to come by and touch you. Maybe some of that luck can rub off on me.
Originally posted by Jack TaylorAbout 15 years ago I had the exact same situation. I chose to keep a dead undersized trout and Mr. DNR was at the boat ramp when I rerurned. I explained that the fish was bleeding and almost dead when I landed it. He advised me that it didn’t matter, that under-sized fish must be relased no matter the condition of he fish in question. He let me off with a written warning and scolding. I smiled, shook his hand, apologized and said thanks. Good lesson learned.
Jack Taylor
Sadly, I bet if they put a rule in that you could keep them people would be throat hooking them after the catch to try to bleed them out to keep them.
We lip hooked a 36" red out at the jetties last fall. I don’t know how, but it bled like it was gut shot. My only guess was the hook tore through something on its way to the lip. Tried and tried to revive him, but had to let him float. HATED IT! Still do.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
Had the same thing happen to me recently and I got the hook out and looked over my shoulder and there was a blue herron about 10’ away from me and I said, “this one’s on me George” and tossed it to him and he smoked it. stabbed it and flew a few yards away and had a free meal on me. I can’t confirm but I think he gave me a wink too? I went back to fishing and said “you owe me one”. Haven’t heard from him since…
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
Merc 250 ProXS
Power Pole Pro’s x2
Lowrance Gen2
Cut the line close to the hook, dont try to get it out and it will live. If you try to get it out then they start bleeding and die most the time.
My question is, what if Mr. DNR is close enough to come by with the fish belly up by your boat or observes you doing the release? I too, hate it when that happens and try and revive every fish, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.
sealevelPete
Nothing wasted in nature!
Once caught a healthy trout on the Stono with about 8" of leader hanging out of his mouth. Cut the leader short and tossed him back. Agree that more damage done trying to remove hook.
i had to release a perfectly good red and watch him float sucked real bad but rules are rules bro
1996 Key West Sportsman
112 Johnson