Fish Resuscitation - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Gflann · 10-07-2021, 11:14 AM

What are your guy’s technique with resuscitating fish?

I don’t like taking Calico’s because of how long it takes them get to legal size.

http://www.csun.edu/~nmfrp/kelpbass.html

Had a 21” guy who kept going belly up. Tried running him forward for a few minutes and then he would kick a little followed by belly up. After several minutes I busted out my descending rig and descended him to the bottom. Sure enough he popped back up floating. At a loss I decided harvesting him would be more humane than letting him float. Thanks in advance.

JohnMckroidJr · 10-08-2021, 08:13 AM

I suspect something was very wrong with that fish. Back in the day when 10 fish limits of Calicos were the norm, A promptly unhooked and released Calico Bass always swam away without the issue of barotrauma. The ones that did not were kept out of the water for too long or had internal damage, such as a hook yanked out of the gut or gills were torn out in the process of unhooking.

Rockfish are a different story. This brings up the question, are we 100% positive we are talking about a Calico Bass. I have seen Fish and Game accidentally cite Olive rockfish as short Calicos.

What occurred with your Calico Bass was very unusual. Most Calico don't require any descending treatment.

10-07-2021, 11:14 AM	#1
Gflann Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: San Diego Posts: 59	Fish Resuscitation What are your guy’s technique with resuscitating fish? I don’t like taking Calico’s because of how long it takes them get to legal size. http://www.csun.edu/~nmfrp/kelpbass.html Had a 21” guy who kept going belly up. Tried running him forward for a few minutes and then he would kick a little followed by belly up. After several minutes I busted out my descending rig and descended him to the bottom. Sure enough he popped back up floating. At a loss I decided harvesting him would be more humane than letting him float. Thanks in advance. __________________ Vibe Shearwater 125 (Tsunami Red)

10-08-2021, 08:13 AM	#2
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	I suspect something was very wrong with that fish. Back in the day when 10 fish limits of Calicos were the norm, A promptly unhooked and released Calico Bass always swam away without the issue of barotrauma. The ones that did not were kept out of the water for too long or had internal damage, such as a hook yanked out of the gut or gills were torn out in the process of unhooking. Rockfish are a different story. This brings up the question, are we 100% positive we are talking about a Calico Bass. I have seen Fish and Game accidentally cite Olive rockfish as short Calicos. What occurred with your Calico Bass was very unusual. Most Calico don't require any descending treatment.