Sceintific Studies on The handleing Of Bass

[Hammer 4]

Does any one have a link showing the effects of laying bass on the ground, and keeping them out of water for prolonged periods, i.e. to take pic's, ect..?

I cited Bob Lusk's comment in his articles, but he wants scientific studies proving it.

[Team9nine]

Two very interesting and recent studies that go against conventional wisdom in this regard. No LMB mortality documented including delayed considerations for exposures between 10-15 minutes. So much for "holding your breath" guidelines...

http://afsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1577/M07-079.1

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6N-4PHJTJ5-2&_user=432163&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=432163&md5=14c67ad15e675b1306f5fde0147ef7be

Haven't seen anything published though for ground contact or exposure.

-T9

[Hammer 4]

Thanks, read those..

Anyone else..?

[Fat-G]

I'm interested in this as well. I fish from shore, so I don't have a livewell.

I just try to get them back ASAP.

[Paul Roberts]

None that I know of, but haven't looked.

Not what you're after but some personal observations:

Susceptibility to infection varies seasonally. Late in the spawn I begin to see small fungal infections developing on a lot of spawners. This is true of trout in many waters too.

I once asked a fish pathologist at a major research university about handling fish and he said that "if a fish is healthy, it's slime layer will do it's job. No problem."

I also asked whether stomach pumping by lavage would hurt fish, if I didn't introduce physical trauma. I was a bit surprised by his fervent response: "Absolutely not. Lavage won't hurt fish stomachs."

I have never had any qualms about laying healthy fish down on the ground, unless the fish is notably unhealthy. And I do not let them dry out, or set them on something absorbant -like dry soil or dry grass. If it sticks to the fish, then it's potentially compromised the slime layer. Not that that fish is going to get an infection it can't handle, but I avoid that.

Lastly, have you ever seen smallies that had been rooting crayfish out of rock? They get cuts and wear marks, that heal. Lotsa bass, and trout, get tail wear, that only very rarely develops a serious infection. At least I've never seen a serious one.

Unhealthy water (temperature, O2, pollutants) or unheatlhy fish, and risks are different.

As for holding bass out of water, I dunno. I rarely do it very long. The risks vary with temperature though -at least with trout and I assume most fish. With trout it's critical, >70F and browns are at risk of dying while you try to compose a photo. They turn pale and then can't be revived. Never seen that with bass though. LMs esp, are pretty tough cookies. Never caught one in 90F water though.

If you find some good research out there, fill us in. Places to look are fish pathologists either with state fisheries agencies or veterinary research universities.

[Hammer 4]

Wow, some interesting info. Paul..if I dig something up..I'll be sure to post it.

[iceintheveins]

They aren't as vulnerable to handling mortality as pike or salmonids, but I still try to keep them in the water as much as possible and get photos and stuff done quickly.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I'd be interested in a study that shows the effects of shoving hooks through their faces.  I rarely lay a fish on the ground, unless is gets loose from my grip, and pictures are quick cell pics.  I have never had a fish die because I held it out of the water to take pictures, I have had gut hooked fish die though, it happens from time to time.  One thing I dont really understand is the "to net or not to net" discussion.  It seems to me that putting a fish in a net is better than letting it flop around on the hot carpet.

[WRB]

Volunteer working a summer weigh in at a local bass tournament if you want first hand experience with tournament caught bass chauffeured around the lake all day in a live well.

Bass unable to maintain upright equilibrium become floaters in the holding tank and a very high percentage of those floaters die.

A surprising number a tournament anglers have little interest in learning how to handle the bass properly. Studies like those referenced go a long way to encourage poor handling, poor live well maintenance, not fizzing bass caught from deeper water and keeping over stressed large bass out of the water for photographs.

Damaged slim coat from boat carpets and nets is a lot different than a bass injuring itself underwater. Not all bass with damaged slim coat will suffer diseases as a result, some do. The slim coat doesn't stick to wet surfaces like it will to dry surfaces.

Use common sense and don't lay the bass on a dry surface or leave it out of the water for several minutes.

WRB

[culprit71]

I have wondered if kissing the fish and exposing the fish to human mouth pathogens that a fish isn't usually exposed to could affect the fish. I never kiss the fish to avoid this possibility

Also, does anyone know if Berkely gulp or senkos when eaten affect the fish?

[SirSnookalot]

I have wondered if kissing the fish and exposing the fish to human mouth pathogens that a fish isn't usually exposed to could affect the fish. I never kiss the fish to avoid this possibility

Also, does anyone know if Berkely gulp or senkos when eaten affect the fish?

 

Only if it's a French kiss.

[cart7t]

I've found that dipping a fish into cooking oil at around 350 degrees eliminates the worry of what happened to the fish after I let it go.

Make sure to pre-treat the fish with Andy's before dipping it into the hot oil bath.

[culprit71]

I've found that dipping a fish into cooking oil at around 350 degrees eliminates the worry of what happened to the fish after I let it go.

;D

[culprit71]

I have wondered if kissing the fish and exposing the fish to human mouth pathogens that a fish isn't usually exposed to could affect the fish. I never kiss the fish to avoid this possibility

Also, does anyone know if Berkely gulp or senkos when eaten affect the fish?

Only if it's a French kiss.

Actually the REAL reason I don't kiss the bass is so that my wife doesn't get suspicious when she smells that fishy smell on my face.

[culprit71]

Suspicious that I was kissing bass, that is.....

[Hammer 4]

I'd really appreciate if you guys would start another thread instead of HIGHJACKING this one..

I still need published studies on the subject.

[WRB]

You might try contacting Mike Giusti (DVL) and ask if he has Larry Bottroff's published papers on LMB mortality rates due to exposure warm water and low DO. Bass can not breath air directly, it must be dissolved in water.

The Bottroff studies indirectly impacted California tournament regulations; limited the tournaments to 6 hours during summer period. Bottroff proved a high (up to 75%) post mortality rate can occur for bass held in livewell water the exceeded 75 degrees.

WRB

*Larry Bottroff is retired San Diego biologist.

Mike Giusti manages the fishery at Diamond Valley lake.

[Hammer 4]

Thanks WRB...I'll do that.