A question for fellow Yak Fisherman. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

CKallday71 · 06-13-2013, 12:28 AM

What do you do when you catch a fish that is obviously below the legal size limit, but the fish eats the hook down to it's stomach or does so much damage to itself in the catching process that the chances of survival are minimal when released?

Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

PE.rider · 06-13-2013, 01:26 AM

Aside from feeling bad, there is nothing else you can do but release the fish.

I try to minimize these type of situations by primarily using circle hooks, which are designed to hook fish along the side of the jawbone. Not perfect, but helps with the odds. Moreover, I also use hooks on my jigs and lures with the barb pinched down.

If the fish is gut-hooked and you've unknowingly fought it for several minutes before netting or gripping it, it's most likely suffered heavy lacerations to it's internal organs. However, some fish are hardy, and may survive. If you are a man of faith, it's all in God's hands. If you are not, then it is in Mother Nature's hands and the fish becomes recycled into the environment as a meal to other life in the sea.

Ultimately, you still can't keep it, as it would be an infraction of the regulations. The DFW warden will still slap you with a hefty fine, so it's just not worth it.

FlyFishinYakr · 06-13-2013, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKallday71

What do you do when you catch a fish that is obviously below the legal size limit, but the fish eats the hook down to it's stomach or does so much damage to itself in the catching process that the chances of survival are minimal when released?

Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

Release anyway or cut the line as close to the hook as possible & release. It's possible that the damage might not be as bad or terminal as you think and hopefully the damage will repair itself and the hook should rust out in a couple weeks. It's not worth getting you're gear confiscated and the fine, if caught by a DFW Warden.
Just my observations & $.02.
FFY

Dannowar · 06-13-2013, 01:53 AM

Portable BBQ. Grill the evidence on the water.

CKallday71 · 06-13-2013, 06:25 AM

Hmm. A boogie board with a hibachi on it that you could tow out with you.... DEAL!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Portable BBQ. Grill the evidence on the water.

StinkyMatt · 06-13-2013, 07:39 AM

Some guys suggest fishing in gear, this prevents deep hook sets. This may or may not work for all applications but works quite often. If you worry about short biters while fishing with your reel in gear, run a stinger hook.

ful-rac · 06-13-2013, 08:58 AM

Just like was said cut close to the hook and release, at least some of these fish who get gut hooked actually do survive. I've caught many fish that were gut hooked and they seemed fine. The hooks eventually rust out after time.

FlyFishinYakr · 06-13-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Portable BBQ. Grill the evidence on the water.

LMAO!!!...ROTFLOL!!!
Not a bad idea, eat the evidence...ingenious

FFY

Raskal311 · 06-14-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyFishinYakr

LMAO!!!...ROTFLOL!!!
Not a bad idea, eat the evidence...ingenious

FFY

If you are going to do that you better do it quick

Fish and Game pulled up on a kayaker on the water last time I was out. Ticketed him for not having a fishing license and checked his and his buddy's catch.

CKallday71 · 06-14-2013, 07:18 AM

I don't keep my fishing license with me when I'm on the water. It stays in my wallet in the car. WTH?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raskal311

If you are going to do that you better do it quick

Fish and Game pulled up on a kayaker on the water last time I was out. Ticketed him for not having a fishing license and checked his and his buddy's catch.

beef78 · 06-13-2013, 09:13 AM

Cut the hook off the line and damage the fish as little as possible. The hooks are broken down by salt water pretty fast. Caught a lot of fish with hooks in them? I have caught many fish with hook damage, but few with actual hooks.

BillzBaitz · 06-13-2013, 05:10 PM

Be sure to fish you arent using stainless hooks.. those do not disolve quickly at all.. I stick with old fashion mustad bronze hooks for that reason..

Jimmyz123 · 06-13-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKallday71

What do you do when you catch a fish that is obviously below the legal size limit, but the fish eats the hook down to it's stomach or does so much damage to itself in the catching process that the chances of survival are minimal when released?

Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

I cut the line as close to the hook as possible and release it. It may die, but I don't get fined. Sad as it may be that's the only thing you can do.

MrPatrick · 06-13-2013, 10:58 PM

There is a post from years ago when Brad(Madscientist) actually grilled of the back of his extreme at La Jolla!!!!

06-13-2013, 12:28 AM	#1
CKallday71 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The 951 Posts: 430	A question for fellow Yak Fisherman. What do you do when you catch a fish that is obviously below the legal size limit, but the fish eats the hook down to it's stomach or does so much damage to itself in the catching process that the chances of survival are minimal when released? Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

06-13-2013, 01:53 AM	#4
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Portable BBQ. Grill the evidence on the water. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

06-13-2013, 08:58 AM	#7
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Just like was said cut close to the hook and release, at least some of these fish who get gut hooked actually do survive. I've caught many fish that were gut hooked and they seemed fine. The hooks eventually rust out after time. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

06-13-2013, 09:13 AM	#11
beef78 Large Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 316	Cut the hook off the line and damage the fish as little as possible. The hooks are broken down by salt water pretty fast. Caught a lot of fish with hooks in them? I have caught many fish with hook damage, but few with actual hooks. __________________ "I shall not tiptoe through life to arrive safely at death."

06-13-2013, 01:26 AM	#2
PE.rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: OC, CA Posts: 234	Aside from feeling bad, there is nothing else you can do but release the fish. I try to minimize these type of situations by primarily using circle hooks, which are designed to hook fish along the side of the jawbone. Not perfect, but helps with the odds. Moreover, I also use hooks on my jigs and lures with the barb pinched down. If the fish is gut-hooked and you've unknowingly fought it for several minutes before netting or gripping it, it's most likely suffered heavy lacerations to it's internal organs. However, some fish are hardy, and may survive. If you are a man of faith, it's all in God's hands. If you are not, then it is in Mother Nature's hands and the fish becomes recycled into the environment as a meal to other life in the sea. Ultimately, you still can't keep it, as it would be an infraction of the regulations. The DFW warden will still slap you with a hefty fine, so it's just not worth it.

06-13-2013, 07:39 AM	#6
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Some guys suggest fishing in gear, this prevents deep hook sets. This may or may not work for all applications but works quite often. If you worry about short biters while fishing with your reel in gear, run a stinger hook.

06-13-2013, 05:10 PM	#12
BillzBaitz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Redlands Posts: 118	Be sure to fish you arent using stainless hooks.. those do not disolve quickly at all.. I stick with old fashion mustad bronze hooks for that reason..

06-13-2013, 10:58 PM	#14
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	There is a post from years ago when Brad(Madscientist) actually grilled of the back of his extreme at La Jolla!!!!