Catch and release in bass fishing is increasingly popular in many parts of the world and plays an important role in management of recreational fisheries. The act of catch and release is the absolute future of tournament bass fishing. Proper handling procedures along with a few other techniques in transporting bass can help assure catch and release methods work even better. USA Bassin’ tournaments all practice catch and release. The intent is to allow the survival of the bass so they may reproduce and be caught again. However, it is clearly understood that not all released fish survive. Not only the handling of the fish prior to release but the water temperatures play a vital role in the mortality of bass.

High water temperatures seem to be the single most important factor in determining the survival rate of after they are released. Water temps above 80 degrees greatly increase mortality. Tournament held during the winter, spring and fall have far less affect on bass. 94% of tournament bass released in water temperatures below 65 degrees survive. Bass tournament held in the summer months have a 61% survival rate. A very dramatic difference!

Anglers can do many things when it comes to handling fish to increase the chances of a big fish surviving the catch. One very important rule is to never handle fish with dry hands. Bass have a protective slime coating protecting them from diseases and fungus. Always resist netting if possible and wetting down the weight board prior to measuring (especially on hot days) are other ways to aid in protecting the fish’s protective layer. Fish over three pounds should be handled with both hands, (supporting the tail with the other hand). Instead of handling a large fish by the jaw the best method to protect the big bass from damage is to support the weight of the fish by cradling his belly.  Another factor that affects the survival rate is the playing time of the fish. The more you play the fish the more stressed the fish becomes.

Keep your livewells on. You can’t over aerate a fish! Large fish deplete oxygen levels in livewell s quickly. Bass expel ammonia when they “breath”.  Recirculation of the water with your pump and or use of chemicals such as non-ionized salt help reduce the ammonia content in the livewell water so larger fish can survive.

We must realize if we expect quality fisheries, we must use quality methods as we practice catch and release. All of the things mentioned are thing you can do that can easily be done to help the fish you plan to release. With everyone working together (members and directors) we can help reduce mortality and keep the honor of tournament competitors from becoming tarnished with the site of floating bass following an event.