wetting your hands before...

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

touching fish had been preached to me since i started fishing at age 5. How come the pro's on tv rarely do it i never see them do you, i watch the bill dance show every week and i love his show but i never ever see him wet his hands before touching bass, it does take their protective slim off like i was taught right? or was that over-reacting, either way im always going to wet my hands and play it safe, just wanna hear all of your thoughts later guys- Jon

[senko_77]

If your going to be handling the bass's body, then it's a good idea to wet your hands.  But, most of the time when you catch a fish, your only touching there mouth and when I only lip them I dont soak the hands.

[RochesterBasser]

either way im always going to wet my hands and play it safe

I'm the same way.  I also agree with Senko77 with the only-lip part.  Most pros just lip, take out the hook, and either throw em in the livewell or back into the lake.  Or, they could just be too lazy or in too much of a hurry to wet their hands if they're going to handle the fish.  :-?

Colin

[fishingJ]

Well why not wet your hands, it takes 2 seconds and you could be saving a fish from infection. Trout are the fish that need to be touched only with wet hands the most though.

[NCthompson]

I never heard that. Im going to start wetting my hands.

[jb_adams]

Well why not wet your hands, it takes 2 seconds and you could be saving a fish from infection. Trout are the fish that need to be touched only with wet hands the most though.

Odd to that you say that.  Trout usually carry diseases more easily than any other fish far as I knew.  They should be tougher!

There is truth to this fish touching thing though.  I have read it many times.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

In addition to wetting your hand. Remember to wet your measuring board. As far as hands go, if I am grabbing lips it is not as important to me. Thanks for the post, its always good o have a little reminder now and again...

[Lane]

It is VERY important to wet your hands before handling the bass and here is why.

Humans have a protective layer on our skin that is made up of sebum (oil) and

sweat. The protective layer is commonly refered to as the acid mantle, with a PH of

between 4 to 5.5. Making our skin slightly acidic. The protective acid mantle protects

us from, "the elements", and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.

The bass have a protective layer of mucous or slime that protects them from harmful

bacteria and fungi. If we handle the bass with dry hands, then we remove the protective

slime coat and damage their skin with our acid mantle. So by not wetting our hands we

not only remove the protective slime coat, but we also damage their skin with our

acidic hands. So PLEASE make it a policy to ALWAYS wet your hands before handling

the fish. Please wet the measuring boards before measuring the bass!

[roadwarrior]

If you guys will buy a rubber net you wont't need to take the bass out of the water except for a quick weigh and/or picture. Fish and lures do not get caught up in the net. You can remove hooks, measure the fish if you like and release it without touching any more than the lips. A rubber net is the most fish friendly piece of equipment you can buy.

[Keithscatch]

Good ideas.

Also, for you boat fishermen try your best to not let the fish flop around on your hot, dry carpeting either. That is the worst yet. For you bank fishermen, try to keep the fish from flopping around on that hot dry grass and dirt also.

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

Good points. If you intend to release a bass it isn't good to let them land on boat carpet. It's like giving them a scouring pad bed. Notice the slime and scales they leave there!

Jim

[jomatty]

unfortunately tournament fishermen do not set a very good example when it comes to fish handling.  im not really a softie or an extremist but i do try to do as little harm to a fish as i can.  tournament guys on tv seem to regularly roughly bounce the fish into the boat and then leave it to flop all over the place before chunking it in the livewell.  being in the public eye i wish they would make an effort to handle the fish properly.  i realize that you cant always prevent a fish from hitting the carpet and that mistakes will happen, but there is no reason for each and every 2 lb bass to flop around on the carpet and such.

matt

[Other.]

I always have wetted my hands before handling sfih. Its real imprtnt taht you wte hand for the fish.