Circle Hooks and the Proper Handling of Striped Bass

How to Reduce Striped Bass Mortality Using Circle Hooks and Proper Handling Prepared for the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association

by Donald A. Smith In Cooperation with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Janet L. Coit, Director We Love To Catch Stripers z Recreational adds $160 million to RI’s economy annually z It is the backbone of RI’s charter z accounts for hundreds of jobs in RI Here Are The Statistics On Released Striped Bass Did You Know That on a National Level in 2008: z We released about 11.8 million stripers z We harvested about 1.2 million stripers z Approximately 1 million of the fish we released died z That means we killed almost as many fish as we kept z The bulk of the damage is done by recreational fishermen Here’sThe Statistics On Striped Bass Removal From The Population In 2008

Source: ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, 2009 We Need To Reduce Striper Mortality To Insure An Abundant Population What Can We Do To Reduce Striper Mortality? z We can use circle hooks when fishing with live and natural baits z We can learn proper handling of fish to reduce stress and injury z We can modify our lures to reduce injury to fish from treble hooks What is a Circle Hook?

z The point of a circle hook is generally oriented to be perpendicular to the shank. In some circle hooks the point is pointed down towards Circle Hook “J” Hook the bend. The entire hook is rounded and the shank is shortened. Where Did They Come From? z Archeologists note that 90% of ancient fish hooks found in museums today are circle hooks. z They were carved from bone and shell z Our hunter-gatherer ancestors depended on circle hooks to hold the fish until they could be brought to hand z They were lost to more modern production methods because J hooks were easier to make z They were rediscovered by the Australians around 1900 because they didn’t hang up when fishing the Great Barrier Reef z In the 1960’s the commercial long line industry began using circle hooks because they were efficient z They were largely ignored by recreational users until the 70’s when and tarpon anglers started using them z Circle hooks are now mandated in many big game fishing tournaments How Do Circle Hooks Work? z Circle hooks are designed to prevent the exposed barb point from puncturing internal organs if the hook is swallowed. Fish swallow the baited hook and begin to move away. The movement pulls the hook from the throat, decreasing the chance of gut hooking. As the hook shaft begins to exit the mouth the shape of the hook causes the shaft to rotate towards the corner of the mouth and the barb embeds in the corner of the jaw Diagram Of How Circle Hooks Work Just How Good Are Circle Hooks? z They will improve your hook up rate to 90 to 95% z They almost completely eliminate gut hooked fish and reduce fish mortality z They make it easier to release a fish unharmed z Because of their shape they reduce the chance of a clumsy hooking an ear or finger Studies Show Circle Hooks Reduce Mortality By More Than 50%

STUDY AND DATE MORTALITY RATE USING CIRCLE HOOKS “J” HOOKS Massachusetts, Caruso, 2000 3.0% 15.5% Maryland, Lukacovic, 1999 0.8% 9.1% Lukacovic, 2000 1.9% 8.7% North Carolina 2001 5.9% 18.2% Lukacovic, 2002 0.8% 7.4% Studies Also Show Circle Hooks Are Effective

STUDY AND DATE HOOK TYPE TOTAL LOCATION CAUGHT MOUTH DEEP FOUL

Caruso, 2000 CIRCLE 60 97% 1.5% 1.5% “J” 58 60% 24.1% 15.5%

Lukacovic, 2000 CIRCLE 640 96.6% 3.4% “J” 476 82.8% 17.2%

Lukacovic/Uphoff, 2002 CIRCLE 90 81% 19%

Lukacovic, 2002 CIRCLE 173 93.4% 6.6% “J” 260 83% 17% How Do I Use Circle Hooks? z Circle hooks come in a variety of sizes - match the hook size to the type fish you are after z You can leave the spool engaged or the bail closed z Leave the drag set at normal fighting position z Let the fish take the bait and it will hook itself z And remember the most important thing …… CRANK,CRANK, DONDON’’TT YANK!YANK! z Just reel the fish in z Do not try to set the hook – you will pull it out of the mouth of the fish Here’s a few examples of how well circle hooks work for striped bass. The fish were caught on 6/0 circle hooks using live eels Fishermen Peter Vican and Don Smith have been using circle hooks for more than 10 years and swear by them State Record Striper Caught by Peter Vican in July 2008 76 lbs. 14 oz. Tournament Striper Caught by Don Smith in July 2009 51.0 lbs. Kevin Robishaw – 40 lbs. – July 2009 Kevin Robishaw July 2009 Russell Crossman 38 lbs. Michael Moore, Jr. August 8, 2010 Don Smith 38.6 lbs.

What Else Can I Do To Reduce Fish Mortality?

z Eliminate treble hooks on lures z Flatten the barbs z Use heavier gear when the water is warm to reduce fight time z Never gaff a fish z Never put your hands in the fish’s gills z Use a dehooker z Use a boga type grip to handle small fish and a cradle for bigger fish z Handle the fish properly Eliminate Treble Hooks

z Cut hook off at base of shank z Hook will remain in good position when using lure z Less damage will be done to fish

Lure with one hook cut off each set Flatten Barbs On Hooks

z Barbs were made to hold bait on hook z Flattening barbs makes for better penetration of fish’s jaw z A flattened barb makes hook removal easier Use Heavier Gear In Warm Water z There is less oxygen in warm water so fish tire quicker in a fight when hooked z Stepping up to a slightly heavier rod and reel will reduce fight time z Fish can then be released safely and “floaters” eliminated Do Not Gaff Fish z A gaff punctures the fish and causes injuries z Use a fish “Boga type” grip to hold fish in order to remove hook z It is best not to remove fish from the water z Use a net or cradle to lift fish if it has to be removed from water z Cover fish’s eyes with a wet towel to keep fish calm Never Put Hands in Fish’s Gills z Fish breathe by having water pass over gill filaments z Touching them removes bacteria that protects The gill filaments z Fish will most certainly die from infection Use A Fish Dehooker

z Dehookers come in different lengths z You can remove the hook without removing fish from water z Hooks can be removed without injury to fish z They can be easily mastered with a little practice If You Have To Remove A Fish From The Water Handle It Properly z Never lift a heavy fish out of the water using a “Boga type” grip – you can injure their lower jaw z Use a net or cradle to bring the fish on board z Cover their eyes with a wet towel to keep them calm z Support fish with one hand under their stomach when putting it back in the water Conservation Is Our Responsibility

If all of us pitch in we can reduce the death rate of released fish and improve our fish stocks to get the maximum yield from our quotas. That way we can enjoy fishing today and insure good fishing for future generations. And remember - = more

Using circle hooks will keep the bass coming around The End