Release boxes aren't that easy on the fish. Abrasion of the eyes and scales, plus it is awkward to work with. "Fizzing" (using a hypodermic needle is not good for the fish, either. Takes an expert to insert needle and hopefully not get a nerve/heart/liver etc. Have to handle the fish and probably keep them out of the water too long. The lip hook with weight seems to hold the most promise. One should keep a stout rod rigged with a 3# or 4# weight and send the fish back down to 50'-60' or more as quickly as possible. Still a potential for internal injuries (ruptured swim bladder, air embolism in the eyes/brain etc and success may be dependent on what depth the fish was brought up from.

Here's a link to the Shelton Products "fish descender".

http://sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html


Edited by bushbear (11/08/09 01:14 AM)