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Those who do not prefer to implement catch and release often claim that is is a worthless cause, as the fish will die anyway. Those who do practice catch and release often are left wondering if this is true.

There is no easy answer to this question, as it varies on a case by case basis.

What we do know, is that most fish that are hooked in the lip, will be able to recover quite quickly after being released. There are exceptions, as being caught does cause a great deal of stress to the fish, but the majority of the time, they will be fine.

Additionally, fish that are hooked in other areas of the mouth, are also likely to recover. If the fish you catch is not hooked cleanly in the lip, take great care in removing the hook as not to cause further damage. At that point, release it.

Fish that completely swallow a hook stand a much slimmer chance at survival. This is because damage is done to internal organs. This is indeed a sad situation, but there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening. If this happens, consider putting the fish out of it’s misery, and taking it home for consumption so that it’s life will not be wasted.

Unless you are certain that a fish will die, it is best to release it back into it’s natural environment. This ensures the best chance of recovery and survival.Take a look here to learn more: Catch and Release – Gansbaai, South Africa