queensland URGENT!

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

What options do I have after I’ve swum a large fish for over an hour, and popped his swim bladder?

Cheers Hamish

[Kat]

God knows.  I will google it

[Kat]

Release Weights

In Western Australia it is mandatory in the West Coast Bio region to carry a release weight on board when fishing for demersal species.

 

A release weight consists of a lead weight attached to a barbless hook to assist the fish return back to the bottom.

 

A few jigs on the weight and the hook will bounce out of the fish releasing it at depth.

 

Release Cage

A release cage is a bottomless wire cage placed over the floating fish. The cage is weighted and pushes the fish to the bottom. Once stabilized, the fish can swim out of the cage.

 

We have never tried a release cage and while watching the Fisheries Qld video, looks like it may be a calm water only proposition.

 

Venting with a needle

In our previous post on impoundment barra techniques, Ryan mentioned using a bone marrow remover for venting fish and demonstrates the technique in the video below;

 

 

He was given the tool by a medical practitioner many years ago although we have managed to find a similar tool, the T-handle Jamshidi, however at this point the supplier does not sell to the general public.

 

They are called a “bone marrow aspiration needle” for those that want to google further.

 

Here is the one we use.

 

Bone marrow aspiration needle for barotrauma venting

In Florida, venting was compulsory until 2014, so there are a number of devices available, called venting tools. We haven't used any of them so we cannot recommend, however here are some of the ones we found:

 

Vent Right Venting Tool

 

Suntaggers Venting Tool

 

Obviously not all fish need to be vented, and if the need arises, it's best to do so as quickly as possible to reduce further harm.

 

There is no need to puncture the organs protruding from the fish (stomach and intestines) as these will return to their usual size within 2-3 hours after venting the swim bladder, behind the dorsal fin as shown in the videos.

 

To eliminate the problem entirely, we also recommend (once you've caught what you need for a feed) moving to shallower water if wanting to continue with catch and release.

[ellicat]

I don't like its chances after that long, Hamish, especially if it's a threadie.

I think it will be a keeper, or if you let it go it will end up in the food chain.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

It died on us. 
Report later.