13 replies to this topic

[Shamus33]

Just thought I would pop in and say hi. I have always enjoyed fishing, but have been handicapped by the fact that I am uncomfortable touching fish. This has meant that I could only go out if I had someone with me who was able to take off any fish caught. Now with a 4 year-old son of my own, I want to be able to take him out for the experiences I had as a boy (I also want to maintain my "Daddy can do anything" image for as long as possible ). Last week I went out and purchased a pair of fishing gloves, and began practicing on small bass and sunfish by docks. I am happy to say I took more fish off the hook on my first day than I had in my previous 33 years of life. This morning I went for my first solo fishing outing, and first time fishing from a canoe. I got a bit of a shock going from taking off those little sunfish the day before, to having to remove a 26in pike today. Thankfully I was able to successfully remove it, and he is now back swimming in the river.

 

Cheers

[hamiltonangler94]

Welcome to the forum! Haha don't worry you'll get used to touching them after awhile

[fishy_slayer]

I dream of lipping big bass.

[alwayscatching]

Try giving a bass a kiss. Oh so sexy.

[Kit]

Welcome!

 

I too once was scared of touching and taking fish off. Heck I am sure we all were at some point when starting to angle.

 

Ah get in there just be carefull of there Spiny Dorsal Fin on Bass, Perch, Walleye and Sun Fish, if its up when you catch it run your hand across the front of it (Head to tail) to flatten it down and keep your hand over it. It really sucks catching a 18-20" Walleye and getting that fin partly in your hand. Also when handling fish make sure your hands are not dry get em wet. When you touch a fish with dry hands it takes the slime off there scales and causes a burn puts tons of stress on the fish.

 

Hopefully you start to leave the gloves at home when you head out on the river!

 

[ShouldaUsedaLiter]

Its good to know I wasn't the only one. Throughout my childhood my father would always make jokes about giant muskies and pikes biting off my toes and such. Yet he would wonder why I would never unhook my fish....what a prick eh LOL.
Well now years later I have developed the itch to fish on my own, meaning I had to grow a set and give her a try. First few big fish were kinda sketchy.
Next thing you know you will be poppin em out at a 40" muskies throat with ease.

[AnglerAnonymous]

get a boca grip and pair of pliers, if you don't like touching them. What is it though that bothers you?

[NiagaraSteel]

Welcome to the forums! Lol AC

[fishing fr3ak]

Welcome to off. and um...i hope you get used to touching fish. I personally love the smell of fresh fish on my hands. 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Welcome!!!

[eric]

welcome,

if touching a fish is iffy for ya..

 

scenario - 

what would happen if you went onto something like a tuna boat..

and you stepped foot onto a bloody deck, what was a white deck is all red.  

[Kizzle]

Welcome to off. and um...i hope you get used to touching fish. Me personally love the smell of fresh fish on my hands. 

 

Love the smell of fishy hands also!!! Its the smell of success... cant go home without fishy hands... that usually means you had a shittay outing...

[FishingNoob]

Welcome to the site! Good on you for wanting to take your son out! It will be an experience he will remember like you! What gear do you use?

Love the smell of fishy hands also!!! Its the smell of success...

Or the smell you get after playing with your minnows cause no fish are biting!

[justdriftin]

Welcome! Best of luck!