observations

[steelhaeder]

As a steelheader of over thirty years, I have made a few observations since joining this board. I have seen many photos and have also obseverd fish landed on the Credit river and have noticed all fish beached. I would like to hear from anglers who use a glove to land fish. I have a close friend who does surveys in north western ontario ( for the MNR) and know for certain the glove is the safest way for the fish. Perhaps the stocked fish down here do not deserve the safe handling they do up north. I'm perplexed. Can anyone enlighten me on this subject or should I try to educate those not in the know.
Tight lines.

 

[Garfield the cat]

What are the gloves made of, to make its safe for the fish?

 

[Dozer]

As a steelheader of over thirty years

... you still have troubles spelling it sometimes, steelhaeder. E before A after H, or is s A before E after H... :twisted: Just playin' around, don't take it to heart

The glove gives you great control over the fish, that slime is a problem getting a hold of it... so essentially a glove absorbs some of that slime and makes you grip the skin, much more control. Some people argue its bad beacuse the slime strips, see the trend in rubber nets? Once the slime strips bateria and parasites can infest the fish... whats that Michigan landing glove? That mesh bag people use, people agree that is the best... thing is, you wont get a solid answer for this, each method has some sort of problem with it. They're fairly hardy... thats all I know.

 

[Dozer]

When I worked for a pond shop, our boss, rarely made us touch the fish, especially customers $5,000++ koi, he was tigheter about that slime than a ducks rear end, and thats waterproof!

 

[hightechdecks]

i always liked wool...its a nice natural material, just make it wet first.

edit... all living things deserve respect.

 

[Dozer]

And then beaching you have the fish hitting against rocks, inhaling sand sometimes... blah blah blah. So, who'srght and who's wrong?

 

[hightechdecks]

i think beaching is ok if landed in the right area......i HATE seeing fish rolling in mud....i believe this is a death sentence for them. since fall i have been using a small telescopic landing net. you can keep the fish in the water while you get the camera or pliers out.

 

[Spinninreel]

One of the best gloves to use, is made by Rapala and is actually a fillet glove . It's made from stainless steel nylon and Kevlar, sells for about 20.00. Give you a good grip on the tail area of the fish.

 

[troutchaser]

this is a great discussion id love to know the best way to handle fish being a strictly C&R fisherman.. for the time being i beach my fish because I dont know better and its effective :unsure:

 

[Spinninreel]

I bring the fish into shallow water, grab the tail where the rear fin meets the body, turn it sideways and use hemostat pliers to remove the hook, then with the other hand, put it under the belly and lift for a quick picture, then release.

 

[troutchaser]

I bring the fish into shallow water, grab the tail where the rear fin meets the body, turn it sideways and use hemostat pliers to remove the hook, then with the other hand, put it under the belly and lift for a quick picture, then release.

Yeah but to be able to do that sucessfully sounds like the fish would have to be exhausted.. beaching it the fish can still be full of energy?

 

[float^drifter]

i beach my fish most of the time when i fish solo its just hard to do it any other way.If i have fishin partner i like to use a net, take a quick photo and let her go. i been using cotton gloves to get a better grip on the fish but i am thinking of gettin that mesh glove it will defently help not remove slime from the fish .I can't remember when was the last time i had to revive a fish, when i see my fish take of this fast i like to think their chances of surviving are high :grin: p.s never grab fish by gills if u plan to release.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX4mq5xPY_E&context=C4a07835ADvjVQa1PpcFMo8BcUAPJfUu3sUSv9w2dUG9GqCJ2-31E= no clue how that scar got on top of her head tho

 

[manitoubass2]

When I'm shore fishing, I use a glove. But I also prepare to land fish before I actually catch anything. I know where and how I want to land a fish.

This does get tricky with trophy fish, but being prepared helps. I always carry a net if it is needed.

Stay away from the gills of the fish. Don't "bank" the fish, grab it in the water. Have pliers on hand to remove the hook. If you plan on taking pics, have the camera on you in a spot thats quick to grab, not in a backpack 30 feet away.

Very rarely do I have any issues. Only the odd time a fish is foul hooked in/near the gills. Then it's tablefare.

And dont lift fish with your rod

 

[hightechdecks]

generally i always have my mit under the gill plate, but i am very carefull when doing this and i am always sure to support the weight of larger fish. I have seen so many fish dropped on their heads by well meaning anglers who do not actually have control of the fish while they are holding it. Last week i revived a fish on the wilmot that had two large scars on its head that i believe was from being dropped. The large hen was struggling to hold in the rapids above the walkover and was heading towards a group of meat hunting rippers, i actually ran about 50 yrds to the bridge crossed there cause i wasnt in my wadiing gear and snagged the bitch in front of 4 ppl who all cheered me on as i spent 20 minutes reviving it then stood guard as she recuperated behing a logjam below the walkover while the rippers looked on with hungry eyes. Doing all i could to save one felt better than all the catching done that day.

 

[steelhaeder]

What are the gloves made of, to make its safe for the fish?

Cottcn or fleece glove is fine. MNR issue (with sampling kits) are cotton. Minimal slime is wiped off the fish as long as the glove is wet first. Never use a dry glove.

 

[steelhaeder]

... you still have troubles spelling it sometimes, steelhaeder. E before A after H, or is s A before E after H... :twisted: Just playin' around, don't take it to heart

The glove gives you great control over the fish, that slime is a problem getting a hold of it... so essentially a glove absorbs some of that slime and makes you grip the skin, much more control. Some people argue its bad beacuse the slime strips, see the trend in rubber nets? Once the slime strips bateria and parasites can infest the fish... whats that Michigan landing glove? That mesh bag people use, people agree that is the best... thing is, you wont get a solid answer for this, each method has some sort of problem with it. They're fairly hardy... thats all I know.

It's the gaelic spelling dozer.

 

[Spinninreel]

generally i always have my mit under the gill plate, but i am very carefull when doing this and i am always sure to support the weight of larger fish. I have seen so many fish dropped on their heads by well meaning anglers who do not actually have control of the fish while they are holding it. Last week i revived a fish on the wilmot that had two large scars on its head that i believe was from being dropped. The large hen was struggling to hold in the rapids above the walkover and was heading towards a group of meat hunting rippers, i actually ran about 50 yrds to the bridge crossed there cause i wasnt in my wadiing gear and snagged the bitch in front of 4 ppl who all cheered me on as i spent 20 minutes reviving it then stood guard as she recuperated behing a logjam below the walkover while the rippers looked on with hungry eyes. Doing all i could to save one felt better than all the catching done that day.

Way to go! Good job.

 

[NOTTA STEELER]

Gloves are my choice for landing fish large or small .
Wet the glove ,grab the base of the tail and hold firm , the fish is not being gill grabbed and or hugged to hold it still .
I watch sometimes in horror as guys try in vain to hold down a fish and end up juggling it and most times dropping it from chest high onto rocks etc.
For a pic you have control by the tail , you support the head and mid section with the other hand and place the fish gently into the water and release ... simple .
Most times where I fish , there are no beaches , just hard banks so you need to be glove friendly and Land the fish in the water .
I carry an extra glove in cold weather to use as a tailing glove only so I don't freeze my hands off .

 

[ChaseChrome]

It's the gaelic spelling dozer.

LMAO!!

 

[Luke]

I started off this season (october) doing the tailing thing. I found that the fish had to be much more tired in order to be moved into a suitable portion of the river and be compliant enough to be tailed. I then switched to using a net that I have that doesnt take slime off (which is good because I carry it on a clip on my back) that allows me to land them even when I am fishing on a bank thats a foot or two above the water. I generally find a soft grassy spot nearby , unhook, snap a couple pictures and release. I always get a spirited splash of water as a thank you

I've beached two fish since I have started using the net again and neither was by choice, both just took the fight towards shallow water and thats where they ended up stuck. At that point I go and tail them to make sure theyre not flopping around on mud or rocks.

I think it comes down to personal choice in the end, each method has its pluses and minuses.

If I can find one that is portable enough to carry in my jacket or vest I plan on taking a page out of the Carper's book and investing in a proper landing mat. until then soft grass will have to do.