Landing/photographing/releasing fish

[beaverPond]

I see that many of you have the method of landing/photographing/releasing fish down pat. This past weekend I caught a nice brown and struggled to photograph it. This is because I didn't want to handle the fish too much, and also it was moving around a lot. I took the trout out of the water and put it on a rock for what I had hoped was a quick shot. But it flopped off the rock and back into the water. Anyone have advice on how to properly land/photograph/release a fish? I have seen some pics here with guys holding up a trout out of the water with both hands underneath the trout. Not sure how you are getting a 20 inch brown to cooperate so well. Also, I heard that netting a fish is bad for its skin and should be avoided. A guy said you "just put your hands underneath and gently hold it". Yeah right.....

bp

[FrankCoz]

But it flopped off the rock and back into the water. bp

Better than having your digital camera flop off the rock and into the water. (...what happened to me.) Now my camera sleeps wit da feeshes.

Flip them upside down, that'll stun them for just enough time to pull your camera and snap a pic.

[beaverPond]

actually i lost my camera and cell phone in the river tryin to take pics this weekend.

[Swamp Booger]

Ouch!!! That hurts!!

[jackchinook]

Something that helps me is not always worrying about showing the size of the fish in the photo. Here's one that I laid down right at the waterline (granted I was shorefishing, not in a boat):


Or go for the dynamic position:


I also like to try and lay them in a little offchannel pool or at shoreline:


Some species respond better to 'submission holds':


...but it's always better to fish with a buddy to either hold the fish or take the shot for you.

[timetohike]

I see that many of you have the method of landing/photographing/releasing fish down pat. This past weekend I caught a nice brown and struggled to photograph it. This is because I didn't want to handle the fish too much, and also it was moving around a lot. I took the trout out of the water and put it on a rock for what I had hoped was a quick shot. But it flopped off the rock and back into the water. Anyone have advice on how to properly land/photograph/release a fish? I have seen some pics here with guys holding up a trout out of the water with both hands underneath the trout. Not sure how you are getting a 20 inch brown to cooperate so well. Also, I heard that netting a fish is bad for its skin and should be avoided. A guy said you "just put your hands underneath and gently hold it". Yeah right.....

bp

I think the problem is that you are trying to accomplish two things that aren't likely to work together - photographing your catch and releasing it.

I only take pics of the fish I keep because any amount of time out of the water or handling of the fish significantly increases its mortality probability. Even though it will swim away it is unlikely to survive. Placing it on rocks to take a picture and then releasing it will further increasing the probablity of death.

I also take in account that about 20 percent of the fish I catch and release are likely to die no matter what I do, so I count that 20 percent as part of my creel limit even though I’m not taking them home.

Here are some good guides for catch and release:

US Fish and wildlife Guide for Catch and Release

NYS DEC Catch and Release Guide for Trout

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Paper on Proper fish Handling Practices

[ripple]

fish are pretty tough and resilient. Unlike what was said it is stress due to over playing to exhaustion or high temps that will harm a fish far more than it flopping around a bit for a photo shot. (uh, ever see a hatchery in action ? they flop & fall all over the place) Now to take that "perfect" shot, set up preparation will give you the ultimate results. A small tripod can be had for about $15.00, set it up and focus your camera to the area you will be holding a hopeful catch. Turn it on so it's ready, if it takes a while (or at all) for the money shot the camera will just sit in sleep ready mode.
Another good photo-op is to keep your camera around your neck on a lanyard. Nice shots of releasing a fish back into the water is a good option, low and close up. If you feel the need to get the whole pic, than crouch low and hold the fish at arms length and snap the pic trying not to get to much arm in there.

Putting a fish flat on the ground is my least prefer method as they always flop off camera at the exact time you push the button.

suggestion : Buy a water proof camera, Olympus 790 SW works well even under water

[timetohike]

fish are pretty tough and resilient. Unlike what was said it is stress due to over playing to exhaustion or high temps that will harm a fish far more than it flopping around a bit for a photo shot. (uh, ever see a hatchery in action ? they flop & fall all over the place)

I wasn't suggesting that being on rocks is detrimental. Rather, it is the out of water time.

The USFWS states "If you must remove a fish from the water, please keep its “air time” to a minimum. Studies have shown that a species such as the brook trout can suffer gill desiccation (drying) in as little as 20 seconds. The more damage to a fish's gill tissue, the greater the likelihood the fish will perish."

The DEC instructs us to "minimize or eliminate the time fish are out of the water - as little as 30 seconds of air exposure causes delayed mortality of released trout "

Stress from playing the fish and water temp also play important factors. But even a fish that has been caught by "bass mastering" it can suffer motality from exposure to air and handling.

[adkmountainken]

camera

i have my camera set up on tri pod when i get to a place i think i have a good chance of hooking a nice fish. i also wera my camera around my neck and can take a quick pic any time.

[serotonin]

The DEC instructs us to "minimize or eliminate the time fish are out of the water - as little as 30 seconds of air exposure causes delayed mortality of released trout "

I like to keep a photo op below 3 seconds.

And as long as the DEC is "instructing" us... I might add that destruction of habitat and poor stewardship are the true causes of mortality. I don't really give a **** about hatchery fish.
Whatta goddamn joke!

In addition... all Invasive species I catch are fed to the minks.
Doesn't matter what season.

[ADKHUNTER]

Bass are about the easiest, IMO. Recent catch in Minerva.



ED

[beaverPond]

sero,

those beauties you catch are all stream born browns? how does one know one from the other? thanks for the advice everyone.

[Hobbitling]

I heard stockies tend to have frayed fins from the concrete ponds and biting by overcrowded fish.

anybody know if thats true?

[trouthunter]

Freshly stocked fish will show a lot of "road rash" from the concrete at the hatchery.I caught a Rainbow a couple of weeks ago that looked like it got dragged behind the truck.
I keep my camera in one of the upper pockets of my vest to help keep it high and dry. Ive been trying to keep the fish in the water as long as possible and just lifting it for a few seconds to snap a pic.Brookies photograph real good just below the surface too if the water is clear enough.
I always use the strap on my camera since Ive drowned two cameras in less than a year.

[wildbrookies]

TH, stated the best way to not give your expensive digital an unwanted drink of H20...the strap on the camera is`nt there for looks...you gotta take the time to slide it onto your wrist...it may come in contact with alittle splash here or there but nothing like a swim to the bottom...

Once the fish is near you ...already have the camera around your wrist...always keep the fish in the water til last second before the shot is made...and, try to avoid a death grip(firm but careful) ,if possible, it still beats a wet/slippery trout from jumping free and banging its noggin on a rock...not always easy, but, during the fight of a larger fish ,kind of make a plan of where a good place would be for the release and quick photo-session wil take place..and also, try to get the fish in on a reasonable amount of time.not easy with big fighters like steelies /salmon and such, always be thinking the sooner the better for your fishy friends survival... And, always take as much time as it takes to fully revive a tired fish...during that lengthy time ,maybe the run/honeyhole might rest up enough and another nice fish might come out of it ... but, hurry up on your very next cast after the revival/release,before the just released fish swims slowly back into the hole/run and blabs to all his friends and family to watch out for any suspicious looking bugs,especially the one he was just fooled on!!!

Wb