Looking For BFT Catch & Release Tips

HFS · 08-23-2007, 01:43 PM

Folks,

I have gone from 1.5 years of drought to 6 BFTs in 2 trips. I remain real humble and appreciate the tricks of the trade picked up recently.

I am now looking for input on catching and releasing BFT. Please share your best practices for catching and releasing these wonderful fish while causing minimal harm to them, the boat and crew.

Many Thanks,
TR

CaptDom · 08-23-2007, 01:48 PM

Congrats on the recent success!

To properly release these fish, use appropriate gear to minimize fight times first and foremost. Longer fights result in higher stress in the fish.

Using smaller hooks with needle points helps in keeping the entry wound small where they are hooked in case it is in a bad spot. Use a lip gaff to control the fish for release.

NBS member Capt. Terry Nugent of Riptide charters catches and releases lots of BFT each year, and is very adept at releasing these fish, as is Capt. Eric from the Hook Up! also an NBS member. Maybe they will chime in with some further hints on how to effectively C&R BFT.

Good luck with the rest of your season!

HFS · 08-23-2007, 02:49 PM

CaptDom,

Thanks for sharing your insight. I look forward to putting your techniques to good use.

Best Regards,
TR

JoeyM · 08-23-2007, 03:37 PM

if you watch riptide's videos, it looks like he lip gaffs them then removes hook and releases them, sometimes after being lifted out for a pic.

while i am not saying that's wrong or right, and those fish look pretty strong to me, probably the best way is to leave them in the water.

i have one of these:
http://www.dehooker4arc.com/miva/mer...tegory_Code=AD

and i have to say it works very well. i have used it on sharks and tuna, and you dont need to pull the fish out of the water.

i have also removed hooks from sharks that weren't my own. i dont even have the big one, i bought the 34 inch long one.

bpink · 08-23-2007, 04:06 PM

First, congrats on staying with it. IMHO the most important thing is to avoid pulling any fish you plan on releasing out of the water. I will only allow a photo op when I know the fish is going in the box. If it's to be released it stays in the water.
I see fish dragged up over the rail and figure thier survival odds just went down by 50%. I do not use a lip gaff unless it's a large (over 100#) fish that will need some time to freshen up. I fight them hard and fast, get them to the boat and pop the hook without having the head even out of the water. If you use a large gape hook ( 9/0 - 11/0 ) you have plenty of room to get your finger on the inside edge to pull down and away. With larger fish i do like to use a small hand gaff and swim them alongside the boat for a few minutes, again keeping the head in the water as much as possible.

At the same time, you have to decide when enough is enough. I've had days where after 4-5 fish I'll stow the tuna gear and go do something else. It's an unfortunate fact that even with the best of care/handling that we are putting a lot of stress on these fish and their survival odds are going to be compromised.

HFS · 08-23-2007, 04:29 PM

Per your suggestion(s), I have to agree the BEST thing to do is keep the fish in the water vs placing on the boat. I like the ARC Hook Remover. I will need to see where I can get one of those.

I appreciate you both taking the time to share your thoughts.

CaptDom · 08-23-2007, 04:50 PM

While I completely agree that keeping the fish in the water, especially using a long handled de hooker like the arc, is the best method, I think handling them carefully does alot less harm than many would think. Al Anderson, a well known tag and release charter capt., actually had one of his football tuna get re-caught 15 minutes after it was photographed and released!! Most of the tuna that get tagged are handled a bit out of water before being released, and do just fine.

CaptDom · 08-23-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFS

Per your suggestion(s), I have to agree the BEST thing to do is keep the fish in the water vs placing on the boat. I like the ARC Hook Remover. I will need to see where I can get one of those.

I appreciate you both taking the time to share your thoughts.

The Arc dehooker is awesome, but keep it hidden. I had mine stolen off the boat this year!! Left two SO-LO gaffs that were on the opposite side of the tower !

I got mine from a buddy, so once you find out where to get em, please re post with info, so I can get another one.

craigri · 08-23-2007, 06:48 PM

www.dehooker4arc.com

ubettcha13 · 08-23-2007, 07:10 PM

If you take a wrap on the leader as close to the mouth as possible then grab the tail In a quick motion pull forward n up to swing the fish inboard Lay on a towel if you have a non skid deck if it's smooth right on the deck take the hook out then support the belly and head to put back into the water You have 90 seconds to do this without any damage to the fish typically it takes 30-45 secs. Make sure you have your camera ready to go for the grip n grin shot!
What Dom said is true about gear heavy 30's and 50's are better than spinners when releasing these fish Keep a knife handy as you may need to cut the hook out
Lifting the fish by the head with a lip gaff isn't the best way as they cannot support their weight according to the people at UNH in the pelagics lab niether is lifting by the tail as their spine can't support their weight either
If your going to leave in the water get a good dehooker and hold by the gil plate to remove it

08-23-2007, 01:43 PM	#1
HFS NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 6	Looking For BFT Catch & Release Tips Folks, I have gone from 1.5 years of drought to 6 BFTs in 2 trips. I remain real humble and appreciate the tricks of the trade picked up recently. I am now looking for input on catching and releasing BFT. Please share your best practices for catching and releasing these wonderful fish while causing minimal harm to them, the boat and crew. Many Thanks, TR

08-23-2007, 01:48 PM	#2
CaptDom User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Blue Planet Posts: 963	Congrats on the recent success! To properly release these fish, use appropriate gear to minimize fight times first and foremost. Longer fights result in higher stress in the fish. Using smaller hooks with needle points helps in keeping the entry wound small where they are hooked in case it is in a bad spot. Use a lip gaff to control the fish for release. NBS member Capt. Terry Nugent of Riptide charters catches and releases lots of BFT each year, and is very adept at releasing these fish, as is Capt. Eric from the Hook Up! also an NBS member. Maybe they will chime in with some further hints on how to effectively C&R BFT. Good luck with the rest of your season! __________________ CAPT. DOM PETRARCA COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358 www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

08-23-2007, 02:49 PM	#3
HFS NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 6	Thanks CaptDom CaptDom, Thanks for sharing your insight. I look forward to putting your techniques to good use. Best Regards, TR

08-23-2007, 04:06 PM	#5
bpink NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brookline MA Posts: 40	First, congrats on staying with it. IMHO the most important thing is to avoid pulling any fish you plan on releasing out of the water. I will only allow a photo op when I know the fish is going in the box. If it's to be released it stays in the water. I see fish dragged up over the rail and figure thier survival odds just went down by 50%. I do not use a lip gaff unless it's a large (over 100#) fish that will need some time to freshen up. I fight them hard and fast, get them to the boat and pop the hook without having the head even out of the water. If you use a large gape hook ( 9/0 - 11/0 ) you have plenty of room to get your finger on the inside edge to pull down and away. With larger fish i do like to use a small hand gaff and swim them alongside the boat for a few minutes, again keeping the head in the water as much as possible. At the same time, you have to decide when enough is enough. I've had days where after 4-5 fish I'll stow the tuna gear and go do something else. It's an unfortunate fact that even with the best of care/handling that we are putting a lot of stress on these fish and their survival odds are going to be compromised. __________________ '79 Formula, 225 OX 66

08-23-2007, 04:29 PM	#6
HFS NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 6	Thanks JoeyM & Bpink Per your suggestion(s), I have to agree the BEST thing to do is keep the fish in the water vs placing on the boat. I like the ARC Hook Remover. I will need to see where I can get one of those. I appreciate you both taking the time to share your thoughts.

08-23-2007, 03:37 PM	#4
JoeyM NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 33	if you watch riptide's videos, it looks like he lip gaffs them then removes hook and releases them, sometimes after being lifted out for a pic. while i am not saying that's wrong or right, and those fish look pretty strong to me, probably the best way is to leave them in the water. i have one of these: http://www.dehooker4arc.com/miva/mer...tegory_Code=AD and i have to say it works very well. i have used it on sharks and tuna, and you dont need to pull the fish out of the water. i have also removed hooks from sharks that weren't my own. i dont even have the big one, i bought the 34 inch long one.

08-23-2007, 04:50 PM	#7
CaptDom User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Blue Planet Posts: 963	While I completely agree that keeping the fish in the water, especially using a long handled de hooker like the arc, is the best method, I think handling them carefully does alot less harm than many would think. Al Anderson, a well known tag and release charter capt., actually had one of his football tuna get re-caught 15 minutes after it was photographed and released!! Most of the tuna that get tagged are handled a bit out of water before being released, and do just fine. __________________ CAPT. DOM PETRARCA COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358 www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

08-23-2007, 06:48 PM	#9
craigri NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 8	www.dehooker4arc.com

08-23-2007, 07:10 PM	#10
ubettcha13 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 50	If you take a wrap on the leader as close to the mouth as possible then grab the tail In a quick motion pull forward n up to swing the fish inboard Lay on a towel if you have a non skid deck if it's smooth right on the deck take the hook out then support the belly and head to put back into the water You have 90 seconds to do this without any damage to the fish typically it takes 30-45 secs. Make sure you have your camera ready to go for the grip n grin shot! What Dom said is true about gear heavy 30's and 50's are better than spinners when releasing these fish Keep a knife handy as you may need to cut the hook out Lifting the fish by the head with a lip gaff isn't the best way as they cannot support their weight according to the people at UNH in the pelagics lab niether is lifting by the tail as their spine can't support their weight either If your going to leave in the water get a good dehooker and hold by the gil plate to remove it

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