Handling Your Catch

You need to know how to handle your catch and, when necessary, release fish back to the water so they have the best chance of survival. This includes fish that:

  • measure less than the legal permitted length
  • measure more than the legal permitted length
  • are fully protected
  • are caught during a specific closed season
  • are over your personal daily bag limit or over the daily boat limit.

Fishers might also choose to release fish as a means of conserving the fish stock.

Undersized, protected or unwanted fish must be returned quickly and carefully to the water – and returned alive.

You can get more information about the latest catch and release methods from Released Fish Survival (external site).

                                                     
Avoid catching undersize fish

  • Similar size fish usually swim in schools. Change your fishing spot to find the bigger ones you really want.
  • Don’t use hooks that are too small – larger hooks mean fewer small fish.

The catching and landing

  • Choose tackle that will land your target fish in the shortest time possible.
  • Don’t fish for large fish using tight lines – they can result in ‘bust-offs’ and stressed fish.
  • Avoid long playing times that exhaust fish. This can cause delayed mortality.
  • Fish actively. This can lead to a better conversion of bites to hook-ups and more lip-hooked fish, which are easier to release and more likely to survive.
  • Small fish up to about 1 kg can be removed from the water by lifting the fish on the line.
  • Larger fish should be landed using a knotless landing net. Avoid using knotted landing nets as they remove protective slime and scales from the fish.
  • Never use a gaff on fish to be released.

Tips for releasing fish

Skill is needed to successfully release fish – mastering this skill is the mark of a truly expert angler.

  • Unhook fish while they are still in the water.
  • If you must hold fish, wet your hands first. This will reduce damage to the protective slime on the surface of the fish.
  • Place fish on a cool wet surface. Avoid hot dry surfaces when handling fish.
  • Move quickly. Fish were never designed to be out of water.
  • For gut or gill-hooked fish, simply cut the line. Hooks are expendable and the fish will fare better.
  • Use a hookout or long-nosed pliers to assist in removing hooks.
  • Fish grips can be used to restrain fish – but they must be used with care. They are especially useful for fish with sharp or abrasive teeth.
  • Avoid grips with inbuilt scales and do not hold the fish vertically by the grips to weigh it.
  • Hold the fish horizontally and support its body when gently placing it in the water.
  • Support larger fish with a hand under the head and belly to minimise damage to the backbone, which could lead to delayed death.

If you want to photograph your catch

  • Have the camera within easy reach.
  • Decide early if you are likely to want a picture and ask your mate to have the camera ready.
  • Lift the fish horizontally, supporting its body weight at all time. Never hold the fish vertically by the jaw.
  • Minimise the time the fish is out of the water.
  • As soon as you’ve photographed the fish, release it gently back into the water.

Measuring and weighing fish 

  • Measure the length of the fish in preference to weighing it. Measuring is less stressful on the fish.
  • Have a ruler handy the measure the fish, preferably one with a stopper at one end to rest the nose of the fish against. Wet the ruler before you use it.
  • Do not use conventional scales where the fish is hung by the jaw for fish that are to be released – it can damage the jaw or gills and places extra stress on the backbone and internal organs of the fish.
  • If it is necessary to weigh a fish, use a sling to support the fish horizontally.
  • Remember to use wet hands or a wet cloth and protect the fish’s eyes and gills.

Placing fish in the water for release

  • Hold the fish gently in the water.
  • The fish should lay there for a moment then move off with a flick of the tail. A strong flick indicates a better chance of survival.
  • If the fish does not move off after a short time, or you need to ‘swim’ the fish around to aid recovery, it is likely to be over-stressed.

For fish you are legally able to keep

Deal with them humanely.

  • Place the fish on ice immediately after capture - this has an anaesthetic effect on the fish and also improves their eating quality and reduces spoilage.
  • You can spike the fish by inserting a knife or spike in the centre of the fish’s head immediately behind the eyes – this minimises stress and the fish will yield better quality flesh which keeps longer.

Your health and safety

When handling your catch you should practise normal safety and hygiene procedures. These include:

  • wearing gloves to protect against cuts from spines and the operculum (covering the gills)
  • washing your hands thoroughly after handling all fish.