Reviving Bass after catch?

[Hawg Fan]

Are there any good techniques to help the bass we catch get revived better than just tossing them back into the water. I was wondering because I hate it when it takes too long to get a picture, weigh and measure. I would feel really bad if one died because I kept'm out too long. :-[

Thanks,

Hawg Fan

[AKFerzy7]

i hold them over the boat and slowly rock them back and forth in the water till they bite down on my thumb and kick away.

[Hawg Fan]

Do you or anyone know how long a bass can be kept out of water without any harm? Generally I catch them and just put them right back into the water but I want to start keeping a log book..

Thanks

[AKFerzy7]

i have heard before to hold your breath as long as the fish is out the water,  why does the fish have to be out the water to fill out a log book? release it or hold it in the livewell

[Glenn]

You can keep them out for 30 seconds without any harm.  I've personally pushed to a minute to a 2 mins, but my internal alarm was going off the whole time.  That said, they all fared fine (kept them in the livewell for a short while to be sure), but I wouldn't recommend it.

As for 'reviving' them - Do NOT rock them back and forth!  You can damage the gills.  Water is meant to flow in one direction over the gills, and that's not backwards.  Instead, swim him around in a forwards direction gently (I like to do it in a figure 8), while holding his mouth without much pressure.  He'll pull away when he's ready.

[Pond Hopper]

I fish from a small 2 man boat.  I have the camera, scale, and ruler in one compartment that is accessible to both people in the boat.  Normally I go weigh, picture, length in the process.  And often times, due to excitement, it takes a little longer than a minute.  Normally after the catch we will motor out to deeper water, get a quick weight, maybe dip it back in the water, picture and length, then let it go.  I have never had a fish(that was not gill hooked) not take off in a healthy manner.  When in doubt put it back in the water, but I will hold one as the boat is going forward to get some water back through the gills and the fish back in the water.   Just how we do it.  

And if you are shore fishing, do not put it in the grass... it is terrible on the fishes protective slime coating.

[Grey Wolf]

I've noticed some pictures of bass that I would call dinks here and wonder why people would even bother taking those pictures. I wouldn't even consider taking a picture unless it was a minimum of 20 ".

[ba7ss3in]

During the cooler months I will keep one out a little longer but nothing over a minute. During the summer, as quick as I can because the water temps here gets close to a 100 degrees in parts of this lake because of the water coming out of the plant.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I've noticed some pictures of bass that I would call dinks here and wonder why people would even bother taking those pictures. I wouldn't even consider taking a picture unless it was a minimum of 20 ".

Funny you mention that. My buddy (who is a rookie :) thinks he has to have a picture of every bass over 2 lbs.I always try to dicourage this and its kind of annoying.We are not living up north LOL and I wont even consider a picture anymore unless the fish is at least 8 lbs.

Not saying that my standards are that high or I am some kind of master angler,5-6 lb fish are still very far and few in between.I would just rather not traumatize the fish any more than necessary and go through measurements,weighing,and pics for a more common size fish.

[bassmedic46]

I catch and then put the fish right back in the water.

[WRB]

The old rule was no longer than you can hold your breath is about right. Warm air and water temperatures, over 75 degrees, then no longer than 40 seconds before putting back in the water to refresh them. Here is some good bass handling information, go to the bottom of the webb site page and click on "additional information".

http://www.sure-life.com/pro_catch_and_release.html

When measuring a bass, use a wet towell to lay the bass on a flat surface.

The simple way to determine the basses weight, if you don't have a scale is to measure it quickly with your fishing line; mouth closed measure tip of lower jaw to center of tail and cut the line to length. Then mesaure around the bass with the dorsal fin flattened at the widest area and cut that length of line, tie a overhand knot in the middle to indicate the girth measurement line piece and save the line. When you get home use a calculater with the following formula; L X L X G /1200 = weight in pounds. Length times length times girth divided by 1200 equals weight in pounds.

Example; 20" length and 16" girth: 20 X 20 X 16 = 6,400 divided 1,200 = 5.33 lb bass. Same bass with 15" girth; 20 X 20 X 15 = 6,000 divided by 1,200 = 5.0 lb bass. Measure carefully and the formula will be very accurate.

WRB

[Tokyo Tony]

I like taking pictures of all sizes of fish, not just the big ones. One reason is I like to have something that reminds me of the day, especially if it's a nice day out. Another is that a fish doesn't have to be big to be beautiful. Some of my favorite bass pictures are of smaller fish with great markings, or of smaller fish with a scenic background. It really doesn't take that long - just lip her, take the lure out (or not), have your fishing partner (or your free hand) snap a pic, slide her back in the water. Probably usually takes about 30-40 seconds if that.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

I like taking pictures of all sizes of fish, not just the big ones. One reason is I like to have something that reminds me of the day, especially if it's a nice day out. Another is that a fish doesn't have to be big to be beautiful. Some of my favorite bass pictures are of smaller fish with great markings, or of smaller fish with a scenic background. It really doesn't take that long - just lip her, take the lure out (or not), have your fishing partner (or your free hand) snap a pic, slide her back in the water. Probably usually takes about 30-40 seconds if that.

I like the way you think!

[Powerworm]

If I catch a nice bass, It goes straight to the livewell.  If its a fun fishing day, you should always have some water in there.  Get your camera and scale/weigh bag ready then take him back out and get all that done.  Shouldn't take much longer than a minute.  

I like the figure 8 idea, I will have to try that if I have a bass hard of breathing.

[GatorTom]

I also take pictures of several of the bass I catch regardless of the size for the same reasons mentioned earlier.  Most of the time I use my cell phone, but I have my camera with me for larger fish.  I also put them in my livewell immediately after catching while I get everything ready.  Usually, they are only out of the water for a few seconds this way.

[FR0G]

I put it in the water, and grab it by the tail, and hold it there for a little until they start to pull away. Thats only when I have them out for a long time, and usually its a big fish. The little guys, I just unhook and toss them back.

[JerseyBassin]

saltwater and fresh...i've always held them by the tail with a loose grip...i push them forward and back gently...you'll feel him try and swim away..when you feel the force of the tail let go and he'll take off

this always works..never had a fish die on me before  

[Glenn]

Again - Don't Go Backwards!  Please see my previous post.

[Hawg Fan]

Wow! Glenn posted in one of my threads! Just like having a celebrity give me an autograph! 8-) No, wouldnt go backwards, just seemed like common sense that their gills aren't made for that. I will definately have to give the figure eight motion a try though. Sorry I havent posted in my own thread, my internet has been actin up lately. I appreciate everyones comments and input on the topic.

Have a good weekend,

HawgFan

[George Welcome]

Think about this when holding the fish in the water: A fish opens its mouth letting water in - it then closes its mouth and opens the gill covers to force the water over the gills - it then opens it mouth again and repeats the process.

Holding the bass's mouth open with your hand inhibits that mechanics. I hold the bass in the water by the tail until if forcibly pushes it way out. Note I said forcibly because the initial survival reaction of the bass will be to swim away, whether it is alert or not. Look for steady intake of water, mouth and gill cover mechanics, and look for steady movement of the pectoral fins. This will tell you that the fish is doing well. When she is ready she will definitely be strong enough to push her way off.

[NBR]

I recently read in an old issue of Walleye Insider that 30 seconds was the limit to be sure the fish weren't harmed.

This brings up a sore point to me. Why do the TV shows have to hold the fish out of water while they BS about their technique? In Fisherman is as bad or worse than any and one of their publications says 30 seconds.