09-04-2007, 12:48 PM
Lip grippers are a great tool, BUT, lifting a fairly heavy fish, or any fish really, by only the lower jaw can and will break their neck, stretch their spine, and/or cause their internal organs to be damaged. Much research has been done on this in recent years, and mortality rates are VERY high for fish lifted by the jaw with a lip gripper. The fish must be supported and held horizontally, and many anglers just aren't yet aware of this.
I do love lippers for "towing" a fish, as you described. I keep one on my boat for that reason and revive lake trout, tarpon, snook, and any other fish that needs some oxygen before release. And what you describe about not removing the fish from the water IS the best way. If only . . . Well, not gonna happen. Everyone's picture-crazy too.[
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The state of Florida has recently enacted and begun enforcing its law that tarpon and snook, among others, cannot be removed from the water at all! This is because they all must be released, and removing them from the water makes live releases much more difficult. Someday other states will come around, but for now, Florida is taking the lead in saying that a fish destined for release should not and will not be removed from the water. Like the whole catch and release ethic, it will take time, but progress is being started.
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I do love lippers for "towing" a fish, as you described. I keep one on my boat for that reason and revive lake trout, tarpon, snook, and any other fish that needs some oxygen before release. And what you describe about not removing the fish from the water IS the best way. If only . . . Well, not gonna happen. Everyone's picture-crazy too.[
] The state of Florida has recently enacted and begun enforcing its law that tarpon and snook, among others, cannot be removed from the water at all! This is because they all must be released, and removing them from the water makes live releases much more difficult. Someday other states will come around, but for now, Florida is taking the lead in saying that a fish destined for release should not and will not be removed from the water. Like the whole catch and release ethic, it will take time, but progress is being started.
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