11-26-2018, 01:14 AM
If it is a fish that needs to be released, I drag it onto the ice by backing away from the hole once the head is up thru the ice. I then lay the pole down and grab the hook with a pair of hemostats, remove the hook and then guide it towards the hole with my boot and let it dive back into the deep. I try not to handle the fish at all if possible. If I have to handle the fish, I keep it to a minimum. If the hook is swallowed (seldom), I will cut the line close to the mouth and then return it to the water.
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