Catch and release

Catch and release is the practice of returning a caught fish to the water rather than keeping it, and doing it in a way that gives the fish the best chance to survive afterward. It covers everything from how long a fish is kept out of water to what it is handled with and how it is revived before release.

Good practice starts before the fish is even landed, using a rubber or knotless net that is gentler on a fish's protective slime layer than hard nylon mesh, and barbless hooks that come out quickly with minimal handling. Wetting hands before touching a fish, keeping it low over water, and minimizing time spent out of the water for photos all reduce stress and injury.

A common mistake is holding a fish up for a long photo session or squeezing it tightly around the body, both of which can cause internal injury even if the fish swims away afterward. Reviving a tired fish by holding it upright, facing into current, until it kicks away on its own gives it a far better chance than releasing it the moment it stops struggling.