The trueth is that most peole think they know how to handle fish when C&R. but they don't. the obvious one like the gill grab and putting neted fish in the boat are the ones we all know we shouldn't do but how many people think you need to help a fish back to life by sliden it back and forth in the water. a big lie. you do more harm than good. as soon as you touch that fish you remove it's protective slime. now it will begin to grow fungi and when it gets in the gills you have a dead fish. so by swishing it around in the water the fish don't have a chance. how would you like me to grab you by the feet and jerk you around in the water untill you take off. The right way to do this is to hold the fish by the tail (with a cotten glove) on both hands with the other hand flat under the fish hold it and face it in the current now let go slowly. if the fish can stay upright then everything is good. you touch the fish very little and it is upright. the fish don't have to take off hard as long as it can stay up and not flip over it is good. now for another big fish killing move when you handle a fish by the tail and put yer other hand up behind the head never squeez it. their liver is very sensative and if you apply any presure it is a dead fish. I have seen several fish handled this way (and I might say, even pics on this BB) and those fish are as good as dead. you will know what I am talking about when you see them. so keap it in mind if you gotta handle a fish for pics or what ever don't try and bring it back just put it back and make sure it don't turn over. if you pick it up use a flat hand and even roll the fish on it's side a bit.

my 2 bits

dcrzfitter