If you’ve not long started fishing and have been doing everything right, chances are that sooner rather than later, you’re going to make a catch. But what are you going to do with it? Eat it? Release it? Jansen Teakle looks at how you should care for your catch and the reasons for doing so.
So it’s finally happened. All of those YouTube videos you watched and how-to guides you’ve read have paid off, you’ve just wound in a fish!
First off, congratulations. You’ll probably remember that moment for years to come. But what’s next?
The first thing to do is ID your catch. There are many online fish identification charts that will assist, but it is important to know just what you have caught. Recreational sea anglers are entitled to retain their catch providing it exceeds a minimum retention size. You can find a list of sizes and plenty of other useful information HERE on the Angling Trust website.
You now have a choice to make- Retain or release. If you like eating fish, it’s logical that you are going to want to keep your catch, but again a positive ID will aid you in this choice. Species such as bass, mackerel, plaice and bream are delicious, but before you decide to keep a fish for the table, consider its preparation. A fish that has spent several hours on a beach in bright sunlight will deteriorate rapidly, the flesh will break down and the catch will be ruined. If you plan to keep a fish for the table, take a cool bag or box and some ice packs and your fish will remain fresh for several hours. To despatch your fish, a swift hard blow to the head is considered the most humane method.
Not everyone is interested in keeping their catch to eat, so how do you handle your catch to ensure it stands a good chance of survival once released? The actual handling of your catch is very important, and not just for the safety of your catch. Species such as bass and rays can present problems, as they feature numerous spikes and sharp areas that could cause an injury. If in doubt, use a wet towel to handle your catch. There are only two poisonous species that a UK sea angler is likely to encounter- the stingray and the weaver. Both are very different, but we would advise any new angler to become familiar with each in order for an accurate ID to be made should you land one.
As with most things within sea angling, preparation is key. Assess the area you are fishing and look for a good spot to deal with your catch away from the water’s edge. Cheap phone camera tripods are fantastic for self takes and if you have one in place and ready to go, you’ll get some good pictures in the fastest time possible, reducing the length of time that your catch spends out of the water. A weigh sling is great for not only weighing your catch but also for cradling it back to the water if you want to release it. It also offers a place for your catch to rest whilst you remove the hook(s). Prepare the area, and have tools to hand for removing hooks such as a T-bar and long-nosed pliers. Remember, if you plan to release a fish, keeping it out of the water for the least amount of time possible is the best practice to ensure its survival.
Handling fish is an important topic and we owe it to our catch to show it respect. Fish to be returned should be dealt with efficiently and with consideration. Fish that you choose to retain should be dispatched quickly and humanely.
It really is advisable to research the kind of fish that you’re likely to catch so you know how to deal with them on the day. There are many tutorials on YouTube that demonstrate how to prepare your catch, but of course, a sharp knife is an essential item to keep in your box.
A small selection of tools and other items should always be taken to the coast and will help you to care for your catch, regardless of whether or not you choose to keep it.
Useful for removing hooks. Once you master the technique, it’s very simple and effective.
Used to get a firm hold of a hook, especially useful when dealing with fish with teeth when it’s important to keep your fingers well away.
Provides a place for your catch to rest whilst you deal with it, as well as obviously weighing it.
Scales
It’s good to become familiar with fish weights. Getting an accurate weight negates the need for guesswork and will enable you to start to build a personal best fish list.
Some anglers like to record the length of their catch, but it’s also important to know that your catch exceeds the minimum retention size should you choose to keep it.
Camera/tripod
Gone are the days of keeping a catch so it can be pictured at home. No one likes garden-based fish pictures and a good picture taken on the coast is not only far more attractive but will serve as a much nicer visual memory of your catch. A small tripod that will hold your camera phone will enable you to take a couple of quick pictures to record the moment forever, or even take a short video if you so wish.