New to this.

[starweld20]

If I want to release these lakers safely what's a good rule of thumb on how deep/shallow you can catch them and release without venting them?

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[KilliansRed]

All the lakers I caught in 70 FOW released well. Just hold them in the water until they kick and they should go straight to the bottom.

[Smoke-N-Finn]

Never heard of venting a laker. They are one of the only fish that can let air out of their air bladder

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[ITS A FISHAL]

Never touch the gills. Hold by tail and mouth. Snap pics fast and release. I never keep the fish unless I have to. Some fish need a little coaching a sway back and forth. They will kick free when they're ready.

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[starweld20]

Perfect. Thanks. Like the title says new to this. [emoji106]ðŸ»

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[Smoke-N-Finn]

I have caught them in 190+ ft. Jigging and you should see size of the air bubbles they start letting up. Usually if they aren't bleeding they will release well where other fish would have their stomachs coming out of their mouths.

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[Sk8man]

Some of it also related to water temperature. They release better in colder water. Hold them by grasping around and under the tail section and under but behind the gill section. Most of the time I release them without ever bringing them into the net or boat unless very large. I use needle nose pliers and  invert the single hook with a twist and they usually release quickly and take off immediately. When the water is warm at the surface they may require  a little more time to "come around".

[starweld20]

All great info. Thanks a lot.

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[Xxx]

Yea I kinda was wondering the same thing? Thanks guys for the heads up!!

[lineman49]

Never touch the gills. Hold by tail and mouth. Snap pics fast and release. I never keep the fish unless I have to. Some fish need a little coaching a sway back and forth. They will kick free when they're ready.

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   I read/saw somewhere (Dec.) new findings say we should not move a fish back & forth that it does more harm than good.  It is not natural for  fish to go backwards & it does not help them to recover.  They say just move them in a forward motion only.  I guess I/we have been doing it wrong for a long time! 

[starweld20]

I know when we catch large trout in the streams sometimes we have to burp them and then we face them up stream and hold them till they swim away on their own. But I'm sure there are multiple right and wrong things to do in various situations. I only say that because the couple fly fishing and trout fishing boards I fallow have more drama than a sorority house full of girls in an all boys school.

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[ITS A FISHAL]

I read/saw somewhere (Dec.) new findings say we should not move a fish back & forth that it does more harm than good. It is not natural for fish to go backwards & it does not help them to recover. They say just move them in a forward motion only. I guess I/we have been doing it wrong for a long time!

That's why I said sway back and forth. Just a calm sway. Not nose to tail. Left to right.

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