Can’t hold a fish without it jumping from my grip
 

I’ve been fishing a long time. Always wondered why I see these people pick up a fish, display it, put it back, see ya later fish. I’ve read up on proper ways to hold them, etc. They just squirm and jump out of my hands every time. Started just unhooking them in the net and letting them go lately.

I play them out on the line but heard if you distress a fish too much they can die and I don’t wanna do that.

What am I doing differently? I’d like to be able to get a “grip and grin” now and then.

Some people have decided to give up on the grip and grin altogether, there's no way to do it without doing at least some harm. For myself, I may do one or two a year if there is a particularly good reason but that's it.

I worked for years in the aquarium industry handling things like koi, arowana, catfish and other large fish. There's simply no way to hold them in your hands that will keep them secure and not damage the mucus layer unless they are fully out of it. That mucus layer is the fish's primary defence against parasites and skin infections. If you ever keep a fine scaled species like trout have a look after it's been dead 30 minutes or so, you'll see definite marks where you've handled it.

It's a ethical decision each person will have to make. Any fishing activity does some harm, for me it's important to minimize that harm however I can.

A good picture is always nice, I let the fish decide, if it is squirming and fighting I won't bother if its calm I'll get a quick shot if I can. I do find holding it on its back quiets the fish down while unhooking.

Cutts seem to be the least cooperative.

Hold the fish upside down on its back.

Works for me every time

Attachment 148762

And rub it's belly:)

All my pictures, which are few, are fish still in the net and still in the water. Takes a little practice but I sleep better.

When I'm fishing walleye and pike from a boat I often don't handle them at all. I just grab the leader, get my pliers on the the hook and give it a turn upwards.

If get a pike hooked deep I will grab it by the gullet. Walleye on the belly in the middle seems to work.

If you use a net,keep the fish in the net,in the water until it relaxes a bit.When the camera is ready grip the wrist of the tail and with your other hand under its pectoral fins,simply lift don't sqeeze.Keep it low to the water and dip its head between shots.

I use this method and have witnessed the same fish unharmed on future visits. If with a friend it is easy to keep the fish relaxed. Slow lift, quick shot, if the the wiggles away so be it.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/clCuLkG.png[/IMG]

If alone I use the waterproof camera and grab a quick shot as he slides out of the net or underwater.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/tKTCQAx.jpg[/IMG]

stikum

awesome trick, thanks, nice fish.