advice on undersized trout

[hybrid90]

I usually keep it after giving it CPR and it still dies!

[isdaann]

because trout are so fragile, i like to see the rules change, you keep the first 5 then you must go home, C&R no not count. I see tooo many dead little ones laying in a newly planted stream and too many yo-yo's casting over each other in a newly planted stream

[mtn. man]

went last weekend to a spot, i had came across a problem ive never had before. what are you supposed to do when you catch a undersized fish, 10 inch rainbow that swallows a hook, i was able to get the hook out and everytime i tried to release him he would just go belly up, he was still kicking and he was still breathing, he would have little bolts of energy, i held him in the water for a couple mins trying to get him to go on his own, obviously i wasnt going to keep him so i ended up just letting him go in the current, he went down and i didnt see him pop back up, whats your advice on what to do?

Why would you consider a 10" trout undersized? Those pan sized trout are by far the best eating. The bigger the fish, the more fat they have, that's were that fishy taste comes from.

[pdgs]

I caught a wild (holdover) rainbow trout four hours ago (in the Swift River here in MA). Was hooked in the mouth with a light wire dry fly hook. Kept it out of the water long enough to pull out hook, snap photo, then gently lowered to the water and released. It floated upside down, surprisingly. So I grabbed it, flipped it over, did the gentle back and forth thing, getting water into it's gills, and very soon it revived and darted away, good as new.

These little guy's fill their bladders when they're fighting. Give them a little belly squeeze and they'll usually burp. That'll usually keep them from going belly up on you. Don't handle them any more than absolutely necessary. In fact, if you can just snip the line and let them go their odds of survival are better. C&R is often wishfull thinking but I'm in the club that thinks its a good idea to at least try.

[TroutGhost]

I caught a wild (holdover) rainbow trout four hours ago (in the Swift River here in MA). Was hooked in the mouth with a light wire dry fly hook. Kept it out of the water long enough to pull out hook, snap photo, then gently lowered to the water and released. It floated upside down, surprisingly. So I grabbed it, flipped it over, did the gentle back and forth thing, getting water into it's gills, and very soon it revived and darted away, good as new.

[dirty530]

If it bleeds or floats, keep it. No sense in trying to C & R something when it's going to die, unless you hate the taste of trout - in that case, you should give it to a friend or coworker.

It happens to the best of us.

[TroutGhost]

>>>When holding a fish under water, gently move the fish back and forth. This helps to get water flowing through its gills.


That's good advice. I've had trout go belly up on me but revive after doing the gentle back and forth thing. It's like CPR, instead of getting air into the lungs you're getting into their gills. After a brief while of the back and forth they sometimes snap out of it and dart away.

[Marv]

Marv gave very good advice. I'll offer a few additional comments:
1. Shelton self-releasing hooks...fish swallow bait and you can still release them unharmed.
2. Cutting the hook is a good idea. Cut as close to the hook as possible.
3. When holding a fish under water, gently move the fish back and forth. This helps to get water flowing through its gills.

If these steps fail, and they sometimes do,...you've done the best you can. Don't worry about it. There is nothing else you could have done.

Panther

Thanks, I didn't even give advice. But knowing myself very well, I'm almost positive it would have been very good. HEHEHE

[BradL]

Whats up Rob! I think the little guy made it for what its worth, we did everything we could.

[panther]

Marv gave very good advice. I'll offer a few additional comments:
1. Shelton self-releasing hooks...fish swallow bait and you can still release them unharmed.
2. Cutting the hook is a good idea. Cut as close to the hook as possible.
3. When holding a fish under water, gently move the fish back and forth. This helps to get water flowing through its gills.

If these steps fail, and they sometimes do,...you've done the best you can. Don't worry about it. There is nothing else you could have done.

Panther