Proper C & R

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

OK, so as many of you have seen I've posted some videos showing I caught and released a few legal halibut, as of yesterday I've probably released more legals than I can count using both hands. Today I posted the last video on some other site and got some crap for netting the fish, placing on the deck and 'cruising around' with it. Much like most of you I want to see our fisheries exist 5, 10.......15 years from now and I believe practicing C n R is one way to do it. I've been practicing C n R for several years but recently I started doing it with Halibut. So, my question is..........what is the best way to properly release a halibut but keep in mind that when and if I release it/them I want to release it/them with no hooks in their mouth.

Rule of thumb is that if you plan to release do the best you can not to touch the fishing at all. If you have no intention to keep them even if legal I would us a lip gripping tool and if the hook is in a location that you can needle nose the hook out great, but if the hook is in the further cut the line as close to the mouth as possible.

There have been many studies done on releasing fish with the hooks left in and the mortality rate is extremely low and not anything to really worry about. I believe I heard them talking about that last week on Let's Talk Hookup on the radio.

Netting the fish is not a big deal as long as you are using a net that does not mess up the tail. Keep up the good releases.