Bass are popular sport fish, and understanding their survival needs when removed from water is important for responsible angling. Minimizing harm during catch and release is a primary goal.
Factors Influencing Survival Out of Water
The duration a bass can survive out of water varies significantly and depends on several factors. Keeping them out of water for extended periods can cause severe stress and even delayed mortality. The less time a bass spends out of water, the better its chances of survival after release.
Temperature plays a major role, as warmer water and air temperatures reduce dissolved oxygen and increase a fish’s metabolic rate, accelerating oxygen depletion. Fish obtain oxygen from water through their gills. When a bass is out of water, its gills can collapse and dry, making it difficult or impossible to absorb oxygen from the air. This process is similar to holding one’s breath underwater for humans; the fish is essentially suffocating.
Handling also significantly impacts a bass’s survival. Rough handling, dropping the fish, or squeezing it can cause internal damage, injure gills, and remove the protective slime coat that defends against disease.
Best Practices for Catch and Release
To maximize a bass’s survival chances during catch and release, minimize air exposure. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, only removing it briefly for hook removal or a quick photograph. Ideally, the fish should not be out of water for more than 30 to 60 seconds.
Proper handling techniques are also important. Always wet your hands before touching a bass to protect its sensitive slime coat, which acts as a barrier against infection. When holding a bass, support its weight horizontally with two hands, one gripping the lower jaw and the other cradling its belly, especially for larger fish, to prevent jaw injury. Avoid squeezing the fish’s body or touching its gills or eyes.
Removing the hook quickly and gently is another key practice. Using tools like long-nose pliers or hemostats can help expedite this process. Barbless hooks or hooks with crimped barbs can make hook removal easier and reduce injury. If a hook is deeply embedded or difficult to remove, cutting the line as close to the hook as possible is preferable to causing further trauma. Finally, if a bass appears sluggish, gently hold it upright in the water, facing it into any current, until it regains strength and can swim away on its own.
Identifying Fish Distress
Recognizing signs of distress in a bass after it has been caught and released is important for assessing its likelihood of survival. One common indicator is a loss of equilibrium, where the fish floats upside down or sideways instead of remaining upright. A lack of response, such as not attempting to swim away when released, also suggests significant stress.
Rapid or erratic gill movement can signal that the fish is struggling to breathe, indicating a lack of oxygen. Bleeding, especially from the gills or mouth, is a serious sign of injury that can compromise survival. Additionally, unusual coloration, such as the fish appearing pale or discolored, can indicate high stress levels.