Landing the over slot fish

10kman

  We write a column for fishing club 
newsletter.We are now writing an
article on"Landing the over the slot
fish."
   To the experts,any suggestions?

lemaymiami

Handle carefully and get it back into the water quickly… To aid any angler, net or use a Boga grip or similar tool - then leave the fish in the water until your camera is out and ready… Pick up the fish while supporting its belly get the photo then back in the water.

SoutheastSnooker

Not an expert, but this is the advice I have heard over the years.

1. Leave any fish you have fought for a while in the water after you net or grab it. Imagine you just did the hardest workout of your life, then someone immediately shoves your head underwater. Let them catch their breath.

2. Have your camera and measuring tape ready to go when you remove the fish from the water. Try and keep the time out of the water under 15 seconds.

3. Never hold any big fish vertically, always support the belly. Don’t lay any fish on concrete, wood, or any surface that may strip the skin of its slime.

4. After you return the fish to the water, just hold it still by the lip or tail and wait until it’s ready to kick away. If there is current, face the fish into the water flow. Don’t shake the fish side to side, this only stresses them more.

10kman

Gentlemen,thanks for your comments but I
looking for comments on your input on landing
the fish rather the the care afterwards.

Bobberredux

Hmm, depends on what fish,what's the water temp and oxygen level. Obviously higher drags can get the fish to the leader faster,but then whaddya do? Most folks want a photo op when you've obviously got a overslot snook coming boat side. Lift it out for the pix will stress it further,no doubt. Most landing nets are known to damage the fish's protective slime, using your hands without a wet towel and a lip gripper even more so. I still have a short gaff aboard to lip hook big Tarpon alongside for control to keep them from bashing themselves against the hull or from jumping in the boat. The correct answers you've gotten here are to be prepared for the gentlest release possible after reviving your catch. We all know that the porpises and sharks are keyed in on our catch and releases. Revive your catch as best you can to give them a better chance to survive after release.

10kman

Maybe I can help this discussion along.Well known guide 
who occasionally comes on the 10k forum said"Tighten
you drag as tight as you can,if you don't turn that big
snook,you will lose her."
   That's the kind of ideas I'm looking for.

Turner River Terror

Don't hesitate to stick your rod under water and work it around branches or mangrove logs and roots.
If you get right on it you can sometimes save the catch from getting way.
I 've busted a few rod eyes waving in the mangrove roots..

Bobberredux

Well,FWIW back in the late 80's we used to pack a 4/0 with 60lb mono,hammer down the drag,tie it off to  big Rapala and troll it underneath the Haulover inlet bridge. Not much sport to it but **** we got some big fillets back when there was no upper slot on 1 of your two allowable snook. Should still work today but why stress the big girls we can't keep?

Mister-Jr

I never brought an over-slot snook or redfish out of the water, I have enough pictures of fish.  I would bring it to the side of the boat and use a pair of pillars to remove the barbless hook. Same with small tarpon.

Obviously, if we caught one for the table, we would get it over the side and onto the ice.