Question about length regulation

[Blackjeepjk]

Thinking about going out but water temps are dropping and I’m betting crappie holding is dropping deeper in the water column.

What or how do you keep small fish that are under legal length alive when catching deep?




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[jawjatek]

I've never caught a crappie deep enough so that it was a factor. Unhook, admire briefly, chuck back into lake. They zoom right back down.

[dko]

If I know I’m not planning on keeping them I just play them and reel them up slowly and they usually don’t have a problem swimming away. I use to fish Lake Monticello in the winter (10” min.) and you would see a lot of dead crappie floating around. The game and fish finally changed the rules and you had to keep all crappie caught from Dec. through Feb. The game and fish were a little slow about it but they did the right thing. There is a way that you can puncture the swim bladder so that the fish can be returned to the lake. You might ask D10 on the Arkansas board about it.

[North Central Arkie]

I have had a few die below 25ft. all under legal length {10in} bringing up to fast Is the problem I think.

[Crestliner08]

Often (especially in cold weather) when you bring them up from 20' or more, they have tendency to float on the surface of the water for sometime. Some die, some swim back down. We find the best way is to thrust them back into the water head first, right after unhooking and as quickly as possible. This head first forced dive gives them enough of a "burst" (for lack of a better term) to get them going on their way.

[BobC]

Yes, you see it quiet frequently in saltwater fishing for sea bass. In that case it is the air bladder and you shouldn’t bring them up too fast.
Bob

[Oregon slabman]

The best way I've found is to hold them by the tail and drop them straight down. I keep my net close to hand as it sometimes takes 3 or 4 drops. When they hit just right you'll see them expel some bubbles and then they take off like a shot straight down. It works for me about 80% of the time. I haven't had any luck with the fish that come up with their eyes popped out. I'm not even sure if the fish that go back down make it. The trauma and hemorrhaging may be to much to overcome.

[Blackjeepjk]

Thanks all. I’m going to hit up d10 as mentioned.
I went today but went to small lake with no size restrictions just to be safe. Wouldn’t have matter anyways as I found them but couldn’t get them to bite well.
Holding at 18’-24’ Caught 2 crappie, 1 was swimming 1 was floating after catch.
2 white bass but both of them still released and swimming.

I guess the 2nd part to my original question is if you are on a size restriction water, what if you can’t get it to swim off?
I can’t leave them there floating. Just not in my dna. I’ll ask 10 as well.


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[Alphahawk]

Thanks all. I’m going to hit up d10 as mentioned.
I went today but went to small lake with no size restrictions just to be safe. Wouldn’t have matter anyways as I found them but couldn’t get them to bite well.
Holding at 18’-24’ Caught 2 crappie, 1 was swimming 1 was floating after catch.
2 white bass but both of them still released and swimming.

I guess the 2nd part to my original question is if you are on a size restriction water, what if you can’t get it to swim off?
I can’t leave them there floating. Just not in my dna. I’ll ask 10 as well.


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Not familiar with AR regulations....except maybe trout but then I just catch and release anyway. Here in TN TWRA will tell you that turtles have to eat too....let it go.

Regards


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[huntinslabs]

Can't ya fizz em same as we do reef fish?

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