Lot of people holding them toads wrong...... 2024

Eddie Munster reply :

Not sure if this had been covered before but I was reading an article from 'Largemouth Bass; An In-fisherman Handbook of Strategies'. The article tells of a theory of David Campbell a biologist who's in charge of spawning the 13 pound plus lunkers donated by anglers to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. He's received several bass with damaged or dislocated jaws so bad that the fish cannot even eat. The fish starved to death after awhile. :'(

The article goes into how it's not okay to force a LMB's jaw fully open ESPECIALLY if it's a lunker and ESPECIALLY if you're not supporting the tail at the same time. It says do NOT use the jaw as leverage to hold the fish which forces the jaws wide open. I normally don't do this anyway but I have seen several members here display pictures of fish they've caught using the fish's lower jaw just as the article says not to. Even if it's a little bit hyped up, it's still disturbing to know that those toads we brag about releasing could starve to death because we've damaged their jaws.

We all know those fish have big mouths, so there's no need to prove it with a picture of them with their mouth jammed open. Let's hold them correctly and guarantee they'll be there next year waiting for us to catch them again.

Troutfisher reply :

I know what you're saying. Just open up a Bassmaster magazine and head to the Lunker Page with photos of the trophy bass. Some of those guys are correctly holding the fish, however, there are many who can't hold them right and you can tell the fish is going to be damaged, or may already be injured.

skillet reply :

EM it was covered before and really well! It's always good to be reminded of things like this again !!!

As Ever,

skillet

BTW not everyone has the advantage of being a member of BassResource.com

Eddie Munster reply :

Another thing that gets me is laying the fish down on the ground next to their rod for scale or something. I'm pretty sure that can't be good for the fish either.

A.Do? reply :

I'm looking at my pix now and notice in some of them I'm holding the fish wrong Thanks for the heads up. I've always supported large fish by the tail but never really thought about damaging the jaw from opening it too wide or applying too much pressure to it :-/.

I've never understood the fish on the ground thing either, I always thought it was best NOT to make too much contact (by hand or ground) with the body of the fish as this removes their protective slime coat.

Thanks again for the info, hopefully I haven't killed any fish :'(

Jeff C. reply :

What is your thought about laying a fish on its side being bad ?

not saying its right or wrong because I do not know.

I am a catch and release guy all the way and would like to do it right too.

Jeff

J Francho reply :

Thankfully, none of my fish are lunkers.

bedman reply :

Just a note about laying fish on the ground.....

When fish are laid on the ground, floor of a boat, etc., it can remove the slime coat of the fish. It takes time for the slime coat to regeneratre. The slime coat acts as a barrier from infection and disease.

I think, as with anything else in life, it cannot hurt to be as gentle as possible with a fish during handling. Anything that reduces the fish's stress level increases the odds of the fish surviving when it is released.

Sam reply :

Hey Eddie,

Thanks for the tip.

I think I may have read that tip on this forum or in a magazine.

I am no longer holding them by their lower lip.

By not holding them by their lower lip it reduces the chances of getting that hook slammed into your hand or finger, especially if it is a treble hook.

Great post.

PoBoy reply :

I went on a guided fishing trip a couple months ago, and the first fish I caught was a ten pound striper and I held it by its lower lip. The guide immediately supported the belly and told me that I should never hold a fish just by its lower lip and that the belly should always be supported no matter what size fish it is.

I have been supporting the belly ever since, even with the dinks! ;D

Troutfisher reply :

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Thankfully, none of my fish are lunkers.

x2!

Ha, I wouldn't have to worry about this either. ;D

Fishing Rhino reply :

Regarding the slime. One of the first things I learned when I started fishing was to dip my hand in the water to get it wet before handling a fish. You'll remove a lot less slime, and end up with a not so slimy hand.

Before I knew that trick, I used to grab eels with my dry hand. Talk about slime. My hand could have had a cameo role in Ghostbusters when they got slimed. It was darn near impossible to remove. Had to wear away.

islandbass reply :

Folks that lay them on the ground are probably fishing solo and don't have someone to take the photo.

Eddie Munster reply :

Thanks Sam.

I plan on paying better attention to all the fish I boat from now on, especially the big ones (crosses fingers). I've also been guilty of kind of being careless letting the smaller ones go but the article also addressed easing the bass back in the water; not dropping them back in.

GonzoFishing reply :

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Folks that lay them on the ground are probably fishing solo and don't have someone to take the photo.

Thats the case with me. But now, thinking about it, its not worth the photo. I guess you guys will just have to take my word for it when I catch that 25lb this weekend ;D

DaveHawkins reply :

I guess I have a couple of dumb questions...If you are holding the fish by the lip with one hand and then supporting them under the belly with the other hand...how do you get the hook out? Both hands would be busy holding and supporting the fish. Or am I just not getting what's being said? Or is it ok to hold the fish by the lower lip so long as you are not cranking the lower lip at such a great angle that would force the weight of the fish on the jaw hinge?

Big Tom reply :

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Thankfully, none of my fish are lunkers.

Me and you both...lol.

And it's a personal choice...we do not catch the big ones solely because we do not want to hurt them...

MichiganFisherman reply :

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I guess I have a couple of dumb questions...If you are holding the fish by the lip with one hand and then supporting them under the belly with the other hand...how do you get the hook out? Both hands would be busy holding and supporting the fish. Or am I just not getting what's being said? Or is it ok to hold the fish by the lower lip so long as you are not cranking the lower lip at such a great angle that would force the weight of the fish on the jaw hinge?

Holding them vertical does not damage their jaws but, holding horizontal by the lip is bad.

Eddie Munster reply :

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Quote
I guess I have a couple of dumb questions...If you are holding the fish by the lip with one hand and then supporting them under the belly with the other hand...how do you get the hook out? Both hands would be busy holding and supporting the fish. Or am I just not getting what's being said? Or is it ok to hold the fish by the lower lip so long as you are not cranking the lower lip at such a great angle that would force the weight of the fish on the jaw hinge?

Holding them vertical does not damage their jaws but, holding horizontal by the lip is bad.

Exactly. And as far as pics go do like I did for the pic in my avatar. Use a cellphone or digital camera, take a pic then look at it to make sure you got the fish.

snapper G reply :

I agree 100%, when ever I catch as bass over 5 lbs, I like to hold it by the gill plate, it (as the article says) I hold the mouth, and support the tail!

A.Do? reply :

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I agree 100%, when ever I catch as bass over 5 lbs, I like to hold it by the gill plate, it (as the article says) I hold the mouth, and support the tail!

Is holding a fish by the gill plates really better? I always try to minimize contact with the gills.

Volman482 reply :

The way you are holding the bass in your pic is fine G, just don't try to bring it parallel to the ground by the jaw only.

atrocity reply :

what about holding the fish by the gill plate like people do with salty toothy fish?

senile1 reply :

Nice thread, Eddie Munster. I kind of wonder about some of those who are always correcting the people laying fish on the ground for scale though. (I see it all the time in the "My Fishing Tournament or Outing" section and sometimes it is done in a condescending way.) Holding the fish by the mouth and under the back portion of the belly is considered proper but it also removes slime. Many people recommend rubber nets to protect fish but guess what? They remove slime too. I agree that we shouldn't lay fish on the ground though I have done it once for a picture. We all care about these fish but I'm sure we've all removed more slime than intended at times. It is an imperfect world where I live.

burleytog reply :

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Another thing that gets me is laying the fish down on the ground next to their rod for scale or something. I'm pretty sure that can't be good for the fish either.

How is hooking a fish good for it?

Pigsticker reply :

Don't you go to the dentist Burley? geez :

senile1 reply :

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Another thing that gets me is laying the fish down on the ground next to their rod for scale or something. I'm pretty sure that can't be good for the fish either.

How is hooking a fish good for it?

Burley, your logic is profound.

Eddie Munster reply :

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Nice thread, Eddie Munster. I kind of wonder about some of those who are always correcting the people laying fish on the ground for scale though. (I see it all the time in the "My Fishing Tournament or Outing" section and sometimes it is done in a condescending way.) Holding the fish by the mouth and under the back portion of the belly is considered proper but it also removes slime. Many people recommend rubber nets to protect fish but guess what? They remove slime too. I agree that we shouldn't lay fish on the ground though I have done it once for a picture. We all care about these fish but I'm sure we've all removed more slime than intended at times. It is an imperfect world where I live.

Thanks bud.

I agree that some guys are going a little over board berating people for laying fish on the ground. There is a right way and a wrong way to try to change people's habits. I have been guilty of layin' them down too but will not do it anymore.

Burley_Cuyler, mishandling a fish (unnecessarily) and using hooks to catch fish are not comparable. You may think there is hypocrisy there but we're all fishermen here. My post was just trying to raise awareness of better ways to treat the fish that bring us enjoyment.

Guess until I learn to use 'the force' to get the bass in the boat, I'll keep mistreating them by using hooks. :

Rich K reply :

Not arguing about this and I do believe we need to do all we can to preserve the fish we catch, but I have caught a few bass that had obviously had their jaws broken before. There was scarring right where the lower jaw connects and the jaw felt flimsy. They are obviously eating well as I was able to catch them again. I am guessing this was caused by mishandling with either a scale and/or a boga grip type gripper. I recently bought a lipper and am a little concerned about the jaw on it - they clamp down pretty hard and the inside edge is a bit too sharp.

I have also done the gill hooked "surgery" that has been touted on this site and others to great success and not seen my bass floating belly up while intentionally looking for them.

I have a small bass in a tank at home and watched him go through a lot and he is still happy and healthy today. I have seen him heal from my original hook injury, leech attacks, and self-inflicted wounds from bouncing around the tank. All to no avail as he is perfectly fine (and aggressive) today.

My uncle-in-law has also expressed concern for tournament caught fish getting their slime coat damaged later causing infections. If that were a problem, we would see a lot more fish kills in the waters that see a lot of tournament pressure.

In short, I think bass are more resilient than we think. I would add a caveat as my PB was just shy of 6lbs. I have heard that any bass over that should not be handled just by the lower jaw.

burleytog reply :

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Burley_Cuyler, mishandling a fish (unnecessarily) and using hooks to catch fish are not comparable. You may think there is hypocrisy there but we're all fishermen here. My post was just trying to raise awareness of better ways to treat the fish that bring us enjoyment.

If you're so concerned about the welfare of the fish, you could do better things than hook it, drag it into the boat, shove your thumb down it's throat and snap a photo.

fishfordollars reply :

Fishing is a blood sport

I put them in the boat any way possible

Lip, Net, Belly lift, or sling them in with the rod

They bounce all over the carpet and I have been known to put a foot on one to keep it still

Have not lost a fish in the livewell in over three years. One in five.

These arn't children, they are wild creatures.

I thought I had entered a PETA site when I read this thread.

If everyone is really interested in helping the fish they need to get involved in a group that is trying to improve our water and stop all the excess polution that is being illegally dumped into our water ways.

Troutfisher reply :

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Fishing is a blood sport
I put them in the boat any way possible

Lip, Net, Belly lift, or sling them in with the rod

They bounce all over the carpet and I have been known to put a foot on one to keep it still

Have not lost a fish in the livewell in over three years. One in five.

These arn't children, they are wild creatures.

I thought I had entered a PETA site when I read this thread.

If everyone is really interested in helping the fish they need to get involved in a group that is trying to improve our water and stop all the excess polution that is being illegally dumped into our water ways.

That's what I got out of the last few points there as well.

fishinfiend reply :

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I thought I had entered a PETA site when I read this thread.

farmpond1 reply :

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Thankfully, none of my fish are lunkers.

X's 2. :'(

shorefisher reply :

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If you're so concerned about the welfare of the fish, you could do better things than hook it, drag it into the boat, shove your thumb down it's throat and snap a photo.

LOL! Burley you have a way with words.

little_stephen reply :

thanks for the reminder. i will admit that i was quite frightened whn i hauld in my biggest largemouth to date, it was about 4lbs ish..... i didnt have a scale. but the equation said so. she wasnt happy to be outta water and i was holding her wrong. she jerkd hard once and i heard a loud snap..... i dont know what happened to ehr. i put her back shortly there after. but it was an "enlightening" expierence!

little_stephen reply :

my lesson learned...... as demonstrated by my correct but slightly girly way of holding my fish in the picture to the left....... to my defense.me and my girlfriend were fishing from a cannoe and she isnt exactly the most stable person in the world whn it cums to multi tasking. so i was kinda trying to keep from tipping over and losing all my gear!

and im proud to report that hauling in these nice little 2.5lbsers is now my norm! i like these little ohio fish!

Eddie Munster reply :

Been a couple days since I checked the forums........ PETA huh? :-?

Seriously guys, some of you've missed the whole point of my post. Let me try and break it down a little for you. See if you can follow the logic here.

1. We are fishermen here, right?

2. We use hooks to attach the fish to the line which is attached to the rod we are holding, right?

3. We thus reel in said line to land said fish, right?

4. About 85-90% of the people here practice catch and release fishing, right?

5. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, if we're putting these fish back into the lake/pond/stream why not do so in a way that MINIMIZES the damage we inflict on them?

It has nothing to do with killing a fish that you're gonna eat; if you're gonna eat it, who cares. Or a fish that's gotten loose and is flopping around in the bottom of the boat; that's an accident.

The point was why not take a little better care of the fish that you hope to catch again when it gets bigger? Let's say a fish swallows the plastic worm and hook of a lure you're using. Most people here would cut the hook down as far as they could so the fish stands a better chance to survive, right? Well, the crowd that doesn't care how they handle the fish would seem to have no problem just ripping the hook out of the fish because 'it's just a bloodsport or wild animal'.

You wouldn't do that I'm sure but there's a reason you cut that hook down and all I'm saying is apply that to how you handle the fish that you plan on letting go.

As with much of today's society, shortsighted and/or lazy people not interested or concerned about tomorrow only today and themselves.

SuskyDude reply :

Quote
Fishing is a blood sport
I put them in the boat any way possible

Lip, Net, Belly lift, or sling them in with the rod

They bounce all over the carpet and I have been known to put a foot on one to keep it still

Have not lost a fish in the livewell in over three years. One in five.

These arn't children, they are wild creatures.

I thought I had entered a PETA site when I read this thread.

If everyone is really interested in helping the fish they need to get involved in a group that is trying to improve our water and stop all the excess polution that is being illegally dumped into our water ways.

: Ahhh, tournament anglers.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote

Quote
Fishing is a blood sport
I put them in the boat any way possible

Lip, Net, Belly lift, or sling them in with the rod

They bounce all over the carpet and I have been known to put a foot on one to keep it still

Have not lost a fish in the livewell in over three years. One in five.

These arn't children, they are wild creatures.

I thought I had entered a PETA site when I read this thread.

If everyone is really interested in helping the fish they need to get involved in a group that is trying to improve our water and stop all the excess polution that is being illegally dumped into our water ways.

:Ahhh, tournament anglers.

Susky, you sir hit the nail on the head.

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
Been a couple days since I checked the forums........ PETA huh? :-?
Seriously guys, some of you've missed the whole point of my post. Let me try and break it down a little for you. See if you can follow the logic here.

1. We are fishermen here, right?

2. We use hooks to attach the fish to the line which is attached to the rod we are holding, right?

3. We thus reel in said line to land said fish, right?

4. About 85-90% of the people here practice catch and release fishing, right?

5. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, if we're putting these fish back into the lake/pond/stream why not do so in a way that MINIMIZES the damage we inflict on them?

It has nothing to do with killing a fish that you're gonna eat; if you're gonna eat it, who cares. Or a fish that's gotten loose and is flopping around in the bottom of the boat; that's an accident.

The point was why not take a little better care of the fish that you hope to catch again when it gets bigger? Let's say a fish swallows the plastic worm and hook of a lure you're using. Most people here would cut the hook down as far as they could so the fish stands a better chance to survive, right? Well, the crowd that doesn't care how they handle the fish would seem to have no problem just ripping the hook out of the fish because 'it's just a bloodsport or wild animal'.

You wouldn't do that I'm sure but there's a reason you cut that hook down and all I'm saying is apply that to how you handle the fish that you plan on letting go.

As with much of today's society, shortsighted and/or lazy people not interested or concerned about tomorrow only today and themselves.

Sometimes a meaningful suggestion just isn't taken the way it was intended to be. It's a shame that people are so short sighted but I'm sure you have gotten your point over to a few people who respect what you are saying.

fishfordollars reply :

Quote
Been a couple days since I checked the forums........ PETA huh? :-?
Seriously guys, some of you've missed the whole point of my post. Let me try and break it down a little for you. See if you can follow the logic here.

1. We are fishermen here, right?

2. We use hooks to attach the fish to the line which is attached to the rod we are holding, right?

3. We thus reel in said line to land said fish, right?

4. About 85-90% of the people here practice catch and release fishing, right?

5. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, if we're putting these fish back into the lake/pond/stream why not do so in a way that MINIMIZES the damage we inflict on them?

It has nothing to do with killing a fish that you're gonna eat; if you're gonna eat it, who cares. Or a fish that's gotten loose and is flopping around in the bottom of the boat; that's an accident.

The point was why not take a little better care of the fish that you hope to catch again when it gets bigger? Let's say a fish swallows the plastic worm and hook of a lure you're using. Most people here would cut the hook down as far as they could so the fish stands a better chance to survive, right? Well, the crowd that doesn't care how they handle the fish would seem to have no problem just ripping the hook out of the fish because 'it's just a bloodsport or wild animal'.

You wouldn't do that I'm sure but there's a reason you cut that hook down and all I'm saying is apply that to how you handle the fish that you plan on letting go.

As with much of today's society, shortsighted and/or lazy people not interested or concerned about tomorrow only today and themselves.

Eddie, shortsided and lazy I'm not. I personally have produced 378 pages of water testing results and water surveys fighting polution dumped by a Canadian paper mill into Sam Rayburn lake. It took three years and many trips to Austin speaking out against corp. greed trying to protect the water we drink and enjoy on a daily basis. So until you have walked the walk you need to be careful who you call lazy. Yes I tournament fish, but that does not give you the right to judge someone unless you would like to walk in my shoes, fight the polution of our waters along side me and all the others that were instrumental in getting the mill shut down. You are more than welcome to join us in fighting for clean water. Like most though, you just don't have the time.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote

Quote
Been a couple days since I checked the forums........ PETA huh? :-?
Seriously guys, some of you've missed the whole point of my post. Let me try and break it down a little for you. See if you can follow the logic here.

1. We are fishermen here, right?

2. We use hooks to attach the fish to the line which is attached to the rod we are holding, right?

3. We thus reel in said line to land said fish, right?

4. About 85-90% of the people here practice catch and release fishing, right?

5. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, if we're putting these fish back into the lake/pond/stream why not do so in a way that MINIMIZES the damage we inflict on them?

It has nothing to do with killing a fish that you're gonna eat; if you're gonna eat it, who cares. Or a fish that's gotten loose and is flopping around in the bottom of the boat; that's an accident.

The point was why not take a little better care of the fish that you hope to catch again when it gets bigger? Let's say a fish swallows the plastic worm and hook of a lure you're using. Most people here would cut the hook down as far as they could so the fish stands a better chance to survive, right? Well, the crowd that doesn't care how they handle the fish would seem to have no problem just ripping the hook out of the fish because 'it's just a bloodsport or wild animal'.

You wouldn't do that I'm sure but there's a reason you cut that hook down and all I'm saying is apply that to how you handle the fish that you plan on letting go.

As with much of today's society, shortsighted and/or lazy people not interested or concerned about tomorrow only today and themselves.

Eddie, shortsided and lazy I'm not. I personally have produced 378 pages of water testing results and water surveys fighting polution dumped by a Canadian paper mill into Sam Rayburn lake. It took three years and many trips to Austin speaking out against corp. greed trying to protect the water we drink and enjoy on a daily basis. So until you have walked the walk you need to be careful who you call lazy. Yes I tournament fish, but that does not give you the right to judge someone unless you would like to walk in my shoes, fight the polution of our waters along side me and all the others that were instrumental in getting the mill shut down. You are more than welcome to join us in fighting for clean water.

First of all, fish you are choosing to be offended. I did not call direct that 'shortsighted and/or lazy' comment at you because I don't know you from Adam. I do appreciate the work you've done to make waters cleaner; keep it up. Look at my trying to pass on information about the proper handling of fish in the same way. I'm trying to help. You of all people should embrace that concept.

What I don't understand is how this morphed into 'Is this a PETA thread' or that I'm somehow a dang tree hugger. I want what most people here want; to be able to continue fishing AND catching fish for years to come.

The logic expressed is pretty simple. If you're releasing the fish, take a second or two extra to handle the fish properly. If people have the knowledge that handling fish a certain may lead to it's death AND refuse to change the way they're handling fish then well, yes they are either shortsighted or lazy.

Also, thanks BassBrat.

flechero reply :

EM,

There are always a few people that mistake the message. Some just misunderstand your words and others truly miss the message. No point in fighting all of them, your post was crystal clear to 99.9% of the membership.

bocabasser reply :

bill dance is the absolute worst when it comes to holding big bass the wrong way. i can't watch his show for this exact reason. he holds big fish horizontally while slapping their big belly---kills me. of all people he should know better.

Eddie Munster reply :

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EM,
There are always a few people that mistake the message. Some just misunderstand your words and others truly miss the message. No point in fighting all of them, your post was crystal clear to 99.9% of the membership.

Thanks man. I'll stand down. Me a tree hugger..............wow. Just wow. ;D

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Quote

Quote
EM,
There are always a few people that mistake the message. Some just misunderstand your words and others truly miss the message. No point in fighting all of them, your post was crystal clear to 99.9% of the membership.

Thanks man. I'll stand down. Me a tree hugger..............wow. Just wow. ;D

I like to hug trees....

Right before I take my climbing stand platform and drive the teeth into the bark. LOL

roadwarrior reply :

Oops!

I haven't been paying close attention to this thread after following it for a few pages. I thought the intent was quite clear and the information helpful. Rather than trying to go back and "clean things up", I think we will just close here. There has been some great advice, but the thread has run its course.

Goodnight Irene.

-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

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Lot of people holding them toads wrong...... 2024

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