I just had a few questions about releasing fish caught from deeper water. I haven't had to release a fish caught in deeper that 15 feet of water, but I have moved fish over 30 feet deep or more and hopefully it is only a matter of time before one bites.
How shallow should you bring a fish that you caught over deep water?
If I catch a fish in 20 feet of water, is 20 feet of depth a safe place to release this fish?
Does current affect this?
Do water temps change release depth at all?
What do you all go by?
thanks for any input,
Scott
Scott,
Assuming you are not talking about actually hooking a fish at depths 20'+, meaning that's where your lure was running, you shouldn't have much to worry about other than the water temp. A quick, dramatic change in pressue because of being brought to the surface from the depths may be harmful to a hooked fish, but such a case would be rare when talking about where/how muskies are usually caught.
Sudden changes in water temp are more of a consideration though, and you are most likely to find these in the spring, during a warming trend with bright sun, with strong winds pushing surface water into a bay, and bewteen the break over deep open water and a nearby shallow flat. Releasing fish in roughly the same water temp where it was caught should take care of all worries, unless its summer with a water temp of 77+ or so. Any fish caught in temps higher than this may be vulnerable to some trouble.
No matter what the water temp, by all means just keep the fish in the water while unhooking, measuring, etc. Even if taking a picture, the fishes head/gills should only ever have to be out of the water for a few seconds (10 at the very most). Not sure if any of this is what you are asking, but should be helpful to those less experienced than yourself who might read it.
The problem you are relating to has more to do with surface temps and bloating. If surface temps are 82 and you bring a Musky or pike up from 62 degrees the shock will probably kill the fish but even if it doesnt die right away they bloat and cant swim back down. We have had several fish bloat on St. Clair in 2005 and one last year. We had to burp them in the livewell to get the air out of the belly. Other wise they just roll over belly up and cant swim back down. In the fall when water temps are cold depth is not an issue and guys all over the Musky world go deep with big baits . Its best to not fish them at all when temps on the surface reach 80 degrees. This should answer most of your question. Kingfisher
Fish bloating during capture actually has nothing to do with temperature change. It is true that a drastic change in temperature over a short time can kill a fish, although the cause is not a bloated swim bladder, and burping won't help. Bloating occurs only from a drastic change in pressure due to going from deep to shallow water, and the swim bladder is not capable of depressurizing that fast. Fish are weak from the fight and handling, and they can't fight the buoy in their belly to right themselves. An overly tired fish cannot right itself even when depth change is no factor at all (see the Mehsikomer release technique, or Bucher). To my knowledge hard science does not really exist currently on the bloating subject, although most agree that it must take a depth change of 40' or greater. Not going to find that in St. Clair. And fish certainly can bloat in cold water- Lake Superior Lake Trout hooked when the SURFACE temp is only in the 40s do it. Of course they are coming from 100' plus, but the point is they bloat in cold water.
Most stressed fish and difficult releases occur because of water temperatures too high, or fighting a fish too long for the given temp. The problem is exacerbated on St. Clair because of potential high temperature differences from surface to depth (hence the 'torpedo' release tactic), or for most trollers down there it is from dragging the fish behind the boat while fighting, without slowing or stopping the boat so as to not foul up the water strainer spread of baits.
Thanks for the answer you gave. I know about water temps and how they can harm fish. I won't fish water when it starts hitting near 80. It starts scaring me at 78.
I have heard "Don't ever release a fish over deep water!" I have heard if you release a fish too deep that it will go down to the bottom and have a harder time stabilizing itself after the fight. I was just trying to get an understanding of- When is water too deep to safely release a fish over? What is the ideal depth to release a fish to ensure as safe a release as possible?
for example- If I am fishing over 60 feet of water and I pick one up trolling a deep diving crank at 25 feet down with the thermocline at 26 feet.
What depth would you move your boat to for the release?
What if you caught the fish on a topwater in 60 feet of water? Would that change things at all… possibly a release at a shallower depth?
Is it ever safe to release a fish over deep water (example… down at Webster and a fish hits while vertically jigging a fuzzy duzzit in 45 feet of water, the bait is at 44 feet down, with water temps cold from top to bottom)? Would you feel comfortable placing the fish back in the water here or would you want to bring the fish up into 15 feet of water before putting them back?
I hope this might clarify what I was asking.
If you raise a fish casting from deep water and I mean it comes up on its own and bites shallow they will equalize them selves and should be fine unless surface temps are high. 77 is worrying time 80 is go home time or dont pull them out of the water at all. Most of our St clair fish from 2006 41 out of 60 never left the water at all. We had one 48 incher that we had to put in the live well and work her for half an hour . she was breathing well and not in any way bleeding or hurt. She was tired from a hard fight and warm water. Temps were around 75 on top. We took her in 17 feet of water probably about 6 feet down at 25 feet back ,Slasher with 2 oz. We bring our boat to a complete stop and stall the boards because we only run two rods its not a big deal for us to shut down. It doesnt help to stop. It just makes water releasing easier and it allows us to use the net as a pen. The warmer the water on top the more they bloat period. In 2005 we tried the leave them in the water trick and they still bloated and rolled over. Water temps at 80 degrees are just plain go home time. The nice thing about St. Clair is the way it cools down when it gets windy. caution should always be used if you are fishing deep water during the summer months. We had our best year for good releases in 2006. Out of 223 we had trouble with two fish and rescued 5 others that were left behind by other boats. Keep your livewell full and airating . this can be the difference in whether a fish lives or dies. Kingfisher
Good questions and good topic!
I prefer to release fish where I catch them since more handling = more stress. A fish caught anywhere whether in deep water or shallow water is better off being released where you catch it. I’ve never had problems with fish caught from deep water (fish hits in 25’+). During the fight they seem to have little problem equalizing their bladder and all have gone away strong.
The fish I’ve experienced problems with have all been in shallow water 20’ or less. Funny thing is that none of them have been in water warmer than 70 degrees and with the exception of one they have been caught while casting. It seems that somehow during the fight they get air forced into them. The common trait of these fish is they were exceptional jumpers and it seems as if they had air forced into them during re-entry after a jump. This is only speculation but is the only explanation I can come up with that makes any sense.
We've talked about this in the past but I try to get fish into the net as fast as possible without wearing them out. Quite often I'm ready to put a fish in the net before my boat partner has the net in the water. Quick net jobs mean green fish in the net and water in your face upon release. This also means that you must have a good net and by that I mean fish friendly. Beckman Finsaver, Stowaway and some of the Frabill nets that have small mesh handle a green fish nicely without split fins.
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