Venting Reef fish

For us it is very important that we conserve our fishery in order for it to be sustainable as well as try to ensure maximum survival of the fish we release.

The correct venting procedure has been reproduced below from the NOAA website Sea Grant Florida and the link to their page is below:

Sea Grant Florida

The Procedure:

It is best to vent the fish as quickly as possible with a minimum of handling. If the fish’s stomach is everted out of the fish’s mouth, do not attempt to push it back into the fish’s body. Expelling the swimbladder gases will allow the stomach to return to its normal position within a few hours. Hold the fish gently but firmly on its side and insert the venting tool at a 45-degree angle approximately one to two inches back from the base of the pectoral fin. Only insert the tool deep enough to release the gases - do not skewer the fish. The sound of the escaping gas is audible and deflation is noticeable. If a fish is extremely bloated, use the hand holding the fish to exert gentle pressure on the fish’s abdomen to aid deflation.

Keep a good grip on the venting tool during the entire process, so that an unexpected jerk from the fish does not dislodge the tool and cause injury to others.The fish’s everted stomach should not be punctured. This practice is not as efficient in releasing gas from the body cavity and results in additional injury.

Return the fish to the water as soon as possible. If necessary, revive it by holding the fish with the head pointed downward and moving the fish back and forth to pass water over the gills until the fish is able to swim unassisted.

2 Days with Gabriele

November saw us fishing 2 days with Gabriele, a returning client who had earlier had his first taste of GT popping with us in April of 2010 and friend Andrea a popping and jigging newbie. He obviously liked it because he was back with new stick baits from FC labo and ready to cast all day long. Work commitments meant only 2 days fishing but we were ready to give it a try.

The weather looked good but on the day Gabriele arrived we had afternoon squalls which roughed up the seas and we could not get out to where we wanted and had to settle for a slow day with a few fish on jig.

Gabriele raring to get into some fish asap

We also had a group from France fishing with us and that evening there was banter between the 2 groups about who was going to get more fish the next day.

Day 2 was clear weather and flat seas, great fishing conditions and the mood was good as we set off.

I have the following excerpts from Gabriele about his trip:

1. Andrea on his first fishing trip ever, first time spinning-casting-popping got 5 GTs and lost a fish jigging (apart from 2 bonitos) and he never did vertical jigging before

2. Darran lost 3 fish jigging because of not setting the hook properly...unbelievable, he that basically is able to break a white shark jaws when setting

3. Italy vs France 21-14 (2 1/2 fisherman on Italy boat vs 4+Kanta on French boat)

4. I got a pretty nice doggy and a smaller one both with my new stick baits for a total of 11 fish in a day

5. Deckie Gafoor, out of 10 casts, was able to cross line with me 9 times; loose 2 poppers

6. I almost smashed my right ear casting and was going back to my girlfriend telling her: "my darling from now on no sex: I nearly lost my bits because trying to hook a GT"

One of 11 in the day for Gabriele

Doggie on stick bait from a bait school

Andrea’s first

I lost a very nice GT after a Gamakatsu GT recorder 8/0 opened a few minutes into a fight, it was a really good fish and a pity it was not landed. Doggies on stick bait were a surprise but something to try again. GT fishing is a high adrenalin sport and in the excitement of fishing it pays to be safe, we saw a popper come flying 20 odd meters out of a GT’s mouth and set itself into the anglers pants!! Lucky escape.

Tight lines