Putting a fish back does not guarantee that it survives. Survival is influenced by gear, fight time, hooking location, air exposure, handling, depth, water temperature, predators, and the fish’s condition at release.
The practical goal is simple: plan the release before the bite and remove as little energy, slime, tissue, and time as possible.
Before fishing
- Use tackle strong enough to land the intended target without fighting it to exhaustion.
- Carry a long-handled dehooker, line cutter, gloves appropriate to leader work, and a wet, fish-safe support surface when needed.
- Use corrodible non-stainless hooks when appropriate. Circle or barbless hooks can reduce deep hooking and simplify release, but the best hook depends on the fishery and current rules.
- Agree with the crew on which species will be released and how photographs will be handled.
During the fight
Apply steady pressure consistent with the tackle and fish. Avoid deliberately extending the fight for video. If the intended target is too large for the gear, the release plan was wrong before the hookup.
At the boat
- Keep the fish in the water whenever possible. Dehook it alongside the boat.
- Do not gaff a fish intended for release.
- If a hook is swallowed or removal will add injury, cut the leader as close to the hook as safely possible.
- Handle with wet hands and avoid the eyes and gills.
- If a smaller fish must be lifted, support its body horizontally. Never hang it by the jaw, gill plate, or tail.
- Skip the photo when the fish is exhausted or badly hooked. If a photo is possible, have the camera ready before lifting and minimize air exposure; NOAA says less than 60 seconds is ideal for fish that must leave the water.
Large billfish and sharks should remain in the water. Keep hands and people away from the bill, teeth, tail, leader wraps, and propeller.
Recovery
Hold a sluggish fish upright with its head into clean current, or have the captain move the boat slowly forward when appropriate so water passes over the gills. Do not pump the fish backward and forward. Release when it shows stronger color, jaw movement, balance, and active swimming.
Deep-caught reef fish may suffer barotrauma. Ask the crew about a species-appropriate descending device rather than automatically venting or releasing a floating fish at the surface.
Legal context
Mexico allows limited retention of some billfish and sharks under special daily-limit accounting; that legal maximum is not a recommendation to keep them. Tournament rules also vary: Bisbee’s events, for example, can include both release points and qualifying weighed fish.
Review Mexico’s fishing rules and the NOAA Fisheries catch-and-release guide before the trip.