Video - How to fizz a bass

[Glenn]

Here's a brand new, exclusive video featuring Doug Hannon showing you exactly how to properly fizz a bass:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-fizz-a-bass.html

Enjoy!

[aarogb]

Great video always wondered how to do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[TommyBass]

Thanks!  Very informative!  Does anyone actually do this?  Where do you get the needles?  You would think the bass could take care of that by itself in just a minute or two?

[rickster]

Thanks Glenn, I am always learning something new from your site  

[Gatorbassman]

Thanks! Very informative! Does anyone actually do this? Where do you get the needles? You would think the bass could take care of that by itself in just a minute or two?

You can buy a fizzing kit from online tackle shops or if you know sombody in the medical field you can ask them to pick you up some needles. You also might be able to find them at a drug store.

Bass will die before they are able to fix thier own bladder. They will get exausted or stressed and roll over.

[MaineBassMan]

That was a cool video? I have actually lost a fish in a tourney because this, I didn't know I could do something about it and now I do. What online shops sell them and are they actually called a "fizz kit"?

[Gatorbassman]

let me see if I can find a few.

[Gatorbassman]

http://www.teammarineusa.us/html/bassprofizz.html

http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm

[fishfordollars]

Great video. thanks for sharing.

[Long Mike]

If all you are looking for is a needle, you can go to most any pet store and buy them.

[bassnleo]

Most tractor supply/farm supply stores also carry syringes. We bought 30 at a local Tractor Supply for participants in a Lake Erie tournament last year.

If I recall, they are 16 guage.

[Glenn]

The folks at SureLife, who have fizzed well over 200 bass over the years, recommend an 18 gauge 1 1/2 inch needle for fizzing through the side.  Anything larger than that can get clogged (remember, the smaller the number, the larger the needle).

[fourbizz]

I wish Lane would get on here once in awhile. I have been sinking my fish for a couple years now, and would love to get her take on the method.

[Mattlures]

If you have to keep your fish(tournament) then it is good to know how to fiz a fish. However sinking them is much better if your releasing them at that time. You take a lage torpedo weight about a pound. with a heavy line tied to one end of the weight, shove the other end of the weight into the fishes stomach. Then sink the fish to the bottom of deeper water. Giv ethe line some tugs untill the fish caughs up the weigh. The presure ffom the deep water will naturaly deflate the fish without poking holes in it. Of course if you have to keep the fish in a well to weigh it in later then fizzing works

[Bassn Blvd]

Very cool.  Will that work on saltwater species as well and would you do it in the same spot as a bass?

Will it work on humans who are full of gas too?

[Mattlures]

I realy doubt anything will work on the deep caught salty fish withe eyes poped out and thier stomachs sticking out of thier mouths but it is possible. It would be hard to prove though. with all the predators and birds and seals you wouldnt know if it made it or not.

If the fish is not eye and stomach poped then I would think that both sinking and or fizzing would work. As for humans. I am sure that would also work but I think most would rather deflate themselfs naturaly then stick a big ol needle in themselfs ;D

[TommyBass]

Is there a certain depth range and beyond that this occurs from?  I have caught fish out of 25ft before and had no problems.  Is there not a risk of infecting the inards of the fish or is this miniscule compared to the issue of floating?

[TrippyJai]

Hey, it's the professor!

[Gatorbassman]

Thanks fluke for the links. Is there a certain depth range and beyond that this occurs from? I have caught fish out of 25ft before and had no problems. Is there not a risk of infecting the inards of the fish or is this miniscule compared to the issue of floating?

It's hard to pinpoint an exact depth. Each fish is different and the conditions are always different. If you do it exactly like the video shows there won't be a problem. Remember to clean the inside of the needle out after each fish. I keep several hypodermic needles taped under the console.

Once you learn how to do it and become good at it then you can teach your buddies at the holding tank how to do it.

[Lane]

TommyBass, An exact depth in which barotrauma occurs has NOT been scientifically established, but it seems to occur more often at

depths below 45 ft.

We have documented bass caught at shallow depths that exihibit the

inablity to maintain an upright position. This is frequently associated

with shock due to a prolonged capture time. Sometimes a fish will go into shock as the result of capture. Before fizzing a fish we recommend

that the fish be placed in a cooled, treated livewell for 20 minutes in order to calm and begin the process of stablilizing blood chemistry

such as lactate, glucose and cortisol levels. In many cases, if the fish

can be quickly stabilized, fizzing is not necessary.

As Mattlures mentioned, you can use the weight method to release a

bass that is NOT going to be retained for tournament or photos. That

procedure works best if done QUICKLY after fish is landed.

While infection can occur from fizzing, the risk is low compared to the

mortality associated with barotruama and or shock.

FourBiz, I miss you too! I wish that we could have attended the Heavy

Weight Bass Classic III, but we are just TOO BUSY. I have way too many irons in the fire! Keep sinking your fish, it works!

Lane

[Btech]

Thanks for the video's

[Dave D]

That was very helpful. Note to self, bring needle in the boat in case this ever happens.  Knock on wood, I've never had one not swim away yet!

[Glenn]

Thanks for the positive responses.  I really strive hard to make this site as educational as possible.  And the great folks at SureLife are just as passionate about educating anglers about taking care of their fish.  The video was produced by them, and they were gracious enough to grant permission to post it here on the site.  It's a win-win situation for everyone.

[Mattlures]

Glenn we all apreciate the job you do. You are the man.

Lane I am curious. Is it possible to svae the deep caught saltwater fish with their eyes popped out and stomachs sticking out of thier mouths? I am guessing no but I would like to hear your opinion on it

Thanks

Matt

[Lane]

Matt, I have caught rock snapper in Alaska at depths between 160ft

to 180ft, and they were basically dead when they reached the surface.

The eyes were popped out and it looked like a bomb had exploded inside them when we opened them up.

I have only seen two largemouth bass with this and both were DOA. Both of the bass were caught at Lake Amistad and the angler reported that they were caught in approximately 75ft of water. We dissected one of them and there was massive internal damage to vital organs.

Studies have shown that some saltwater species can be fizzed or vented then released, but probably not the ones with protruding

eyes, airbladders, etc.