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Maryland

Fishing

Fishing

Catch & Release Fish Handling Tips

Handling

  • Don’t hold the fish out of the water for more than 30 seconds.
  • Wet hands and hold fish by lip with one hand and support its body with the other hand.
  • Hold fish over water in case it is dropped.
  • For videos about safe handling, care and proper catch-and-release techniques visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/bass/videos.aspx

De-Hooking

  • When removing the hook, use a soft rubber or small-mesh nylon landing net to hold fish, or firmly hold the fish with a wet rag or glove.
  • Use a non-offset circle hook when live-lining or chumming to reduce the potential for deep-hooking the fish.
  • Use barbless hooks with artificial bait. Barbs can be pinched down with pliers or filed off.
  • Always have pliers, a de-hooker or hemostats handy for deeply hooked fish.
  • If the hook cannot be removed from a deep or gut hooked fish without causing bleeding to the fish, then leave the hook in and cut the line as close to the mouth as possible.

Resuscitation

See Sharks for shark release recommendations.