wanganuie trout taupo nz

“What happens AFTER the hook imbeds in a trout’s jaw, has a major impact on whether or not the fish can be successfully released. For the catch and release fisherman, the two most important factors to consider are “playing time” and “time out of water”.

Trout that were brought to hand after being “played out” (on their sides) were the most vulnerable. An Ontario study shows that to hold a “played out” rainbow trout out of the water for SIXTY SECONDS, gives that fish a 28% chance at survival when released.

If that played out rainbow was held out of the water for 30 seconds, it would have had a 62% chance of survival. Even if that rainbow was kept completely submerged, and the hook carefully removed, it would still die 12% of the time.

The take home message is clear . . . Bring those fish in QUICKLY! Exhaustion kills!”

Waipunga fish (NZ)