Fish Handling & Release

How to handle and release sea fish properly

When a fish is going back into the sea, every second out of the water takes its toll. Fish grips give you a secure hold on the jaw, so sharp teeth, spines and a slippery body cannot catch you out. You also avoid squeezing the fish around the belly, which protects its internal organs.

A dehooker is the quickest way to remove a hook that has gone deep. A long-handled model reaches safely into the mouth of the fish, and many hooks can be removed without even lifting the fish out of the water.

A measuring tape or board lets you check minimum sizes and log the catch, and tagging tools are used when taking part in fish research programmes. Fish brought up from deep water can suffer from the change in pressure, and a release device helps you send them back down to the depth they came from. Keep all of these tools within easy reach before the take, not buried in a bag, so the release goes smoothly when the moment comes.