Catch & Release may not be Harmless?

[Tarpon4me]

It's funny you mention that Gregg. One major factor as to if a released fish will make it or not is the species. Some fish are tougher than others and require much less finess during the handling process. LMB for instance are a pretty darn tough fish, not to mention they are rarely "handled," rather they are lipped instead. Not much physical contact except around the mouth. On the other end, a trout is fairly sensitive. If physical contact isn't limited and they aren't returned to the water relatively quickly, there's a good chance they'll kick the bucket. Same applies in saltwater. You can chunk a sand shark back in the water with the hook still lodged in the corner of his jaw and he'll swim off with no problems. You snagg a mackerel by the tail and aren't careful how you remove the hook and mind how much contact you make with them, and they are as good as dead. The species and how much they are handled, in my humble opinion, are the only two major factors. This doesn't count for Deep water fish that have to have their air bladder decompressed.
[signature]