Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish stress

In an unrelated post George made this statement
I have read in other places of fishermen doing the same thing, I do the opposite I let the fish tire, net it, remove the hook, while still in the net, then use the net to release the fish. My thinking was that the tired fish did less damage to it's self when on the beach than a full of energy fish, my pond kids use 12# line and tight drag allowing them to quickly land a fish, however, it is full of vim and vigor, difficult to de-hook and if it gets out of the net flops on the ground a lot. Is there a right or wrong way? We have never lost a fish using either method.

Rad, my explanation of over stressed fish caught on light tackle, is based on personal experience.
Perhaps the experts will give a scientific explanation.

A good example are Striped Bass, as well as their hybrid bass offspring, will fight to their death on light tackle unless landed quickly and resuscitated before release,

Lactic acid builds up in their system and they �cramp� and suffocate when released without resuscitation.

Tight lines...

George,
I semi-stressed about a dozen nice CNBG last night with a copy of your "pellet fly". Thanks again for sharing.

George,
Thanks for the info, neither my pacu nor tilapia fight to that point plus they both must be hardy fish.

I've read that touching fish with your hands can cause them damage to their slime layer exposing them to greater risk of infection, parasites, etc.

If you wet your hands first there is less risk of that. Sometimes you are better off wetting your hands and supporting the fish's weight vs. a lip hold if it's a very heavy or large fish. A fish like the 25 lb. bass caught and released in California may have received serious spinal column damage from a lip hold.