Safe release of bass & estuary perch

[Sean @ Crescent]

Hi folks - new poster to the forum - I have a question as it is something that has always bothered me - how best to handle and release bass and estuary perch. My mates and I fish on and around the Macleay River and environs and release all our fish and have for many years - I follow this approach but would love to hear better ideas or any suggestions:

• flatten barbs
• use quite strong leader material so I don't have to fight them for too long
• bring them in as soon as feasible
• avoid touching them by hand - instead grasp them in a wet towel or similar
• if they are big and strong I hold them upside down in the wet towel as that seems to stop them wriggling etc.
• unhook them asap & then slide them in to water

I often see fishermen - e.g. on videos (the pros) holding them by the lower jaw etc. and it always worries me how long they are out of the water and what that holding may be doing to the jaw etc.

Any thoughts/comments would be welcome, thanks.

Sean