Catch, Photograph, Release

Do As Okiefish Does---Give That Fish CPR!!

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[ Catch And Release Tips ]

Handling live fish with care ensures safe release to swim again
            Black bass are often released quickly after being caught by anglers, sometimes only out of the water long enough for a moment of admiration and a photograph.
            Releasing black bass back into the water to continue growing and reproducing can be a smart choice, but there are a few steps that can help ensure black bass and other sport fish are released unscathed by the few minutes it spends in an angler’s possession. With a little effort, anglers who choose to release fish can know that their catch was not released in vain, whether they are tournament anglers who collect large catches of fish, or recreational anglers who enjoy sharing nature with their families.
            One of the most important steps to ensuring the survival of caught and released fish is the way the fish is lifted from the water and held.
            Gene Gilliland, central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, advises anglers to carefully avoid holding larger bass by the lower jaw in a vertical position — a hold often seen in photographs — as this can dislocate or even break the fish’s jaw, preventing it from eating and likely resulting in the death of the fish. Gilliland also advises anglers to wet their hands before handling a fish with bare hands.
            Additionally, the following tips are suggested for handling larger bass that will be released:
* Using your dominant hand, grip the fish with your thumb inside the mouth and your fingers locked on the outside of the mouth.
* Support the back end of the fish with your opposite hand placed beneath the fish just forward of the tail.
* Lift the fish out of the water in a horizontal position using both hands for support.
* Handle the fish only when putting it into a livewell or holding tank. Avoid keeping the fish out of water or habitually removing it from the water for photographs. A good rule of thumb is to avoid keeping a fish out of water longer than you can hold your own breath.
            When care is taken to preserve the life of a fish planned for release, anglers can be certain their good intentions will be followed by continued productivity of their favorite fishing holes and angling hot spots.
            Keeping one’s catch of fresh fish is also popular among Oklahoma anglers and can result in a delicious meal with family and friends in addition to reliving the memory of the catch. Fish battered in cornmeal and preferred seasoning are considered delicious when pan-fried. Other preparation methods include broiling until flaky, or cooked by any method of choice and served with cole slaw and hot sauce in a tortilla for a delicious “fish taco.”
            When keeping fish for the freezer, care should be taken to avoid “freezer burn” which occurs when oxygen is allowed to contact the meat directly in freezing conditions. It can be avoided by submerging fish in water before freezing or by using a vacuum sealer — available at sporting goods stores and other locations — to remove air from the container that stores the fish for freezing.

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Trophy Bass that hang on walls gather dust,
Trophy Bass left in water make more Trophies..

 

              

Oklahoma Wildlife Certificates For CPR

Release That Fish & Get An Award! FREE! From OkieFish.com & The Oklahoma Wildlife Department!

Angler Recognition Program

Join Oklahoma's Newest Hero!
Brian Lindsay-- Caught & Released his 14lb. 1 oz. Largemouth! His Certificate is on the way.
OkieFish.com will send you,  FREE OF CHARGE,  a personalized CPR CERTIFICATE!
When you practice CPR -
CATCH - PHOTOGRAPH - RELEASE!

Practice CPR & Okiefish will send you a Certificate like this one - PRESONALIZED!

Just email us at the link below.
Your Name:
Species:
Weight:
Date:
Add a Photo if you like!
And your mailing address.

Then send to the Oklahoma Wildlife Department's Angler Recognition Program which recognizes anglers who catch exceptional fish with a certificate bearing an embossed seal. Those who qualify will receive a Master Angler Award or a Trophy Conservationist Award.

The program is designed to acknowledge anglers for outstanding sport fishing accomplishments, to encourage catch and release of trophy-size fish, and to provide information on large fish caught throughout the state.
The program honors anglers who land and keep exceptional fish with the Master Angler Award while anglers who catch and release exceptional fish will receive a Trophy Conservationist Award. If a fish exceeds the current state record for that species, the angler must contact a Wildlife Department employee immediately so they can assist with completion of the Oklahoma Record Fish Application.

To qualify for a Master Angler Award you must land a fish that meets or exceed the minimum requirements listed in the chart below. To receive the Trophy Conservationist Award, anglers must release their trophy alive into the waters where caught and the fish must meet the minimum length requirements listed below.
Applications are available from department offices and the current year's Fishing Regulations. For details on Oklahoma's Angler Recognition Program write to:
Aquatic Education, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Species Weight Master Angler Length (Inches) Trophy Conservationist
Black Bass:
Largemouth 8 lbs.     8 oz. (23)
Smallmouth 3 lbs. 8 oz. (20)
Spotted 3 lbs. (18)
True Bass:
Striped 20 lbs. (34)
Striped/White Hybrid 10 lbs. (28)
White 3 lbs. (19)
Catfish:
Channel 15 lbs. (34)
Blue 30 lbs. (41)
Flathead 40 lbs. (42)
Bullhead (All Species) 2 lbs. (16)
Paddlefish 60 lbs. (45*)
Crappie
White and Black 2 lbs., 8 oz (16)
True Perch
Sauger 2 lbs., 8 oz. (19)
Saugeye 7 lbs. (25)
Walleye 7 lbs. (27)
Sunfish All Species 1 lb. (9 1/2)
Trout All Species 4 lbs. (21)
*Paddlefish are measured along body from eye to fork in tail

A Special THANKS to Tyler Knight for Ole' Okiefish giving that bass CPR picture. Thanks Tyler!