Handling A Jewie

[yting]

Guys in the event of me actually catching my first Jew I would like to release it. I'm fishing off the beach so what is the best way to drag her up and handle her for a photo before release. By the gills? and will she have any deadly spikes to watch out for? Nath

[RPL]

Guys in the event of me actually catching my first Jew I would like to release it. I'm fishing off the beach so what is the best way to drag her up and handle her for a photo before release. By the gills? and will she have any deadly spikes to watch out for? Nath

They can get nasty under the gills. razor sharp they are!

[TheDiko]

I've no experience with Jewfish, but I think rather than dragging the fish along the sane and taking it's slime coat off and damaging scales you could gaff it in the lip (or better yet heavy duty lip grippers) and carry it for a quick snap.

[zen801]

G'day,

Mate i think if you get one from the beach it will be hard to release him.

By the time you get him up on the sand and try to let him go i think it may be too late. Usually by the time you land a jew they are pretty stuffed. I saw a guy try to let one go recently from the beach and it didnt make it although he could have tried harder. I think he didnt wanna get wet. He just trew t back in and it kept washing back up.

When you do get one try to not bring him out of the water for too long. Quick pic then get ready to get wet.

Wade out into knee or waist deep and give him a good flush of water through the gills. Hold onto him until he swims away from you.

No point in trying to release a fish that isnt gonna make it.

Its a good feeling and good karma to let a jewie swim free.

PS They do bite. One bite me on the thumb and it went purple with infection.

Cheers

Edited February 3, 2008 by zenman

[PJ Garn]

Hi Nats

At no time should you handle any fish by the gills... not only can they be very sharp in their, imagine the weight hanging from them!!! I also would not gaf or use lip grippers on a fish I was wanting to release once again image the weight hanging from it's mouth!!! ( I think lip grippers should be banned!! I hate seeing fish photographed with them being held by a pair of these barbaric tools!!)

I commend you on the approach that you wish to release a fish you have not yet captured... these days 99% of my catches swim to their freedom, I only take what can be eaten fresh or within a very short period in the freezer ( I currently have 3 bream, 1 flathead (filleted) and 2 whiting waiting for the pan).

My advice is you purchase a baby changing mat that you can place on the sand, also a wet towel will come in handy (place the towel over the fish to stop it flapping around and it helps you avoid any nasty spikes or spines until you have it fully under control). I think you will have to get a bit wet but pick the fish up in your arms and take it to the mat where you can place it down safety for photos (without it getting all sandy) it will also allow you to pick the fish up more easily for a better photograph with you holding it!!! A bucket of sea water close by would also be handy!!! Remember to get the fish back into the water ASAP, support it's weight until you feel it wants to swim free and then marvel in the beautiful sight as the majestic creature swims to it's freedom!!!

I look forward to your photos... Good Luck!!!!!

Cheers as always

PJ Garn

Edited February 3, 2008 by PJ Garn

[frangkie]

Hi Nats

At no time should you handle any fish by the gills... not only can they be very sharp in their, imagine the weight hanging from them!!! I also would not gaf or use lip grippers on a fish I was wanting to release once again image the weight hanging from it's mouth!!! ( I think lip grippers should be banned!! I hate seeing fish photographed with them being held by a pair of these barbaric tools!!)

I commend you on the approach that you wish to release a fish you have not yet captured... these days 99% of my catches swim to their freedom, I only take what can be eaten fresh or within a very short period in the freezer ( I currently have 3 bream, 1 flathead (filleted) and 2 whiting waiting for the pan).

My advice is you purchase a baby changing mat that you can place on the sand, also a wet towel will come in handy (place the towel over the fish to stop it flapping around and it helps you avoid any nasty spikes or spines until you have it fully under control). I think you will have to get a bit wet but pick the fish up in your arms and take it to the mat where you can place it down safety for photos (without it getting all sandy) it will also allow you to pick the fish up more easily for a better photograph with you holding it!!! A bucket of sea water close by would also be handy!!! Remember to get the fish back into the water ASAP, support it's weight until you feel it wants to swim free and then marvel in the beautiful sight as the majestic creature swims to it's freedom!!!

I look forward to your photos... Good Luck!!!!!

Cheers as always

PJ Garn

pj do you eat the carp that you catch ? just wondering?

ps. i like your advice

[PJ Garn]

pj do you eat the carp that you catch ? just wondering?

ps. i like your advice

FYI - Carp were introduce into Britain by Monks in the 13th Century as a food source!!! I have eaten one when I was much younger... had it as a fish curry!!! Most fish if prepared properly are good to eat but when it come to carp (these days) I much prefer to just catch them!!!

This technique for handling fish can applied to most species... it cares for them much better then merely bang them down on concrete, rock, the bottom of the boat, etc and give the fish a much better chance of survival!!! The baby change table acts as a cushion!!!

Cheers

PJ