Fish tag reporting and catch & release efforts are good for the fishery

Many anglers have caught fish with tags. So I thought it would be good to review what one should do as well as review a few catch and release tips to ensure the fish you catch and intend to release have the best possible chance of surviving.
Three organizations are responsible for most of the tagging in Rhode Island waters and the northeast; they are the American Littoral Society, the Hudson River Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All three groups use catch and release data to study the species… migratory patterns, growth rates, fish stock projections, etc. The research helps us understand and manage our fishery. Striped bass are the most popular species tagged; however, fluke and blue fish are commonly tagged too as well as a host of other salt and fresh water species.
When you catch a fish with a tag (usually a dorsal loop tag or a belly tag), return it along with recapture information to the address on the tag. Record pertinent information immediately including species, location, length, weigh, the condition of the tag insertion site, and any other comments you have. The date of the trip and your name and address should be supplied as well. Some organizations offer incentives to those returning tags and surveys including cash awards ($5) and prize drawings.
Catch and Release tips
It is important to plan your catch and release efforts carefully to insure the fish you are not taking are released unharmed and have the best possible chance of surviving. This is particularly important with larger egg bearing striped bass. One way to enhance survival chances on the fish you plan to release is the use circle hooks. Circle hooks can be used very effectively when chucking or live lining with menhaden, or fishing with eels (three very popular fishing methods used to catch striped bass in Rhode Island).
Here’s how circle hooks work…after the hook (and bait) are swallowed by the fish and it starts to run, the hook is pulled out of the stomach and slides toward the point of resistance on the fish’s jaw or lip and embeds itself in the corner of the fish’s mouth (and not in the stomach).
The trick is not to jerk the rod to set the hook because you could pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth. Let the fish run, as it does, it will pull the hook out of its stomach and hook itself on the lip. Once this happens the fish is hooked so all you have to do is start fighting the fish and reeling it in.
To practice “catch and release “effectively consider these techniques, many courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management:
1. Land fish quickly to minimize stress.
2. Avoid putting fish on deck and letting it flop around, keep it in the water as much as possible when removing hook.
3. Wet your hand before handling the fish, dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection
4. Handle fish carefully. Do not use excessive force when grasping the fish. Do not put fingers into gill cavities or eye sockets.
5. Gently remove the hook to minimize damage.
6. Use lures with single hook, barbless hooks (I snap them off), or circle hooks (as noted above)
7. Return fish to water quickly. Place fish gently in water in upright horizontal position. Move it back and forth in the water to force water across its gills. Once the fish revives, allow it to swim away.
Where’s the bite
Fresh water: With the ice melt the freshwater bite is not active. Not many anglers reporting fishing at press time.
Cod fishing seems to be just about the only saltwater species being taken. Parry boats out of Point Judith such as the Francis Fleet are experiencing good cod fishing off Block Island as the weather has cleared. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters reports a good numbers of cod coming up in lobster pots these days.
The biggest bite this weekend will be at Shallow Water Striper University being held March 12th to 14th at the Sheraton Motor Inn, Warwick, RI. The cost for the three day event is $89. To register contact Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick, RI at 401.739.4040.