Getting Slimy; Bonefish education and handling techniques

After an information filled night listening to Rod Collins give expert advice on some amazing locations to fish and the best species to target in those areas, we wanted to touch on some handling techniques of these fish, especially Bonefish. 

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) are based in Florida, USA and partner with universities, guides, fishing lodges and NGOs to undertake extensive research into the conservation of Bonefish and Tarpon. The trust was brought to life in 1997 after a group of anglers were concerned for the population of Bonefish and Tarpon in the Florida Keys, since then they have worked to become a scientific and reputable organisation to educate and awareness about conservation for these species. It goes without saying that majority of the conservation involves the everyday angler targeting these species. 

Handling, photographing and releasing healthier bonefish.

Bonefish can be some of the best fishing an angler will get to do, so it's vital we conserve these fish for future anglers and even your next trip to catch one! 

The Bonefish and Tarpon trust have put together some catch and release steps to help anglers best handle these fish. 

1. Have a plan. Everyone should be on the same page on how you will record a catch, and be prepared for the photographing process. The first step is to agree on the fish you will photograph (The first of the day? A personal best?) and how it will be photographed. Making sure the camera is out and ready before lifting a fish from the water is key.

2. The ten-second rule. Using clean, wet hands (No gloves or sunblock), gently lift the fish from the water, leaving it over the water. Take the photo, and gently place the fish back in the water. A bonefish removed from the water for longer than ten seconds is six times less likely to survive, so doing this quickly is key.

3. Let them off easy. The use of a dehooking device eliminates the need to handle your catch at all. Leaving the fish in the water, the hook or fly can be quickly and cleanly removed in seconds, letting the fish swim away strong.

 

HOW TO USE A DEHOOKER: Keeping the line tight to the eye of the hook, place the loop on the end of the dehooking tool over the line, sliding it down the shank of the hook to the bend. Flipping or twisting the hook with the tool, while pulling the hook away from the fish, will disengage the hook, allowing the fish to swim away untouched.

 

 

 

4. Revival of the fittest. Once you are certain the fish is ready, watch for predators, and try not to release a weakened fish where predators might take advantage.

 

 

 

The most important part isn’t how you catch them. It’s how you let them go.

Part of the management of a healthy and growing bonefish population is taking extra care of every fish. This means doing our best to minimise or eliminate the handling when we catch one. 

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust established these best practices in collaboration between BTT scientists, fishing guides, and organisations including:

To learn more about conservation, handling techniques and much more Bonefish and Tarpon please head to the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust website. They have many great resources and even a Bonefish Weight Calculator, despite it being based off Florida Bonefish it's a pretty cool resource!