Two Knots to Go Spectra Rigging Fluorocarbon Leader Albacore Trolling Tips Magging an Avet Baja Estero de Coyote Max & Al Fishing the Iron Buying Used Catalina's West End Fishing The Wall Captain Jeff Marsilio on White Sea Bass and Catalina Island Accurate Servicing Shark Behavior La Paz Catalina Frontside Seeker Seminar Shark Conservation Sharking DFG Shark Program Black Sea Bass White Seabass! Bottom Fishing Florida Jack Attack Florida 48' Offshore Repower Combat Fishing Motion Sickness Fish Parasites White Seabass! Deep Water Rockfish Halibut Tricks Going for Mr. Cuda Catalina Frontside 150# Yellowtail! 30# 'But on 8# Morro Bay Albies Thoughts On Trolling She's Toast Marine Stereo Installation Fishing Chef Reel Maintenance Outrigger Installation Long Beach Aquarium Dasher

Home Up

charke1sm.GIF (13536 bytes)

Fishermen's Journal

Releasing Black Seabass Safely

by

Capt. Jerry Barber

 

Black seabass are making a rebound from near extinction and are being hooked and landed by more and more fishermen every day. The first problem when landing one of these giants is to identify it as a black seabass. Too often I hear, "What the hell is THAT?" when one is brought to the boat. If you are fishing on or near the bottom and bring up a large, usually spotted, grouper-like fish, you probably have caught a black seabass. Now you have a problem. These fish are fully protected by law and MUST be released. The problem is…how? These fish are usually caught in deep water and their now-inflated gas bladder stops them from swimming back to the bottom.

Dan and Chuck - FishfulThinkingMost sportfishers carry long hypodermic needles which are inserted into the side of the fish behind the pectoral fin. This deflates the bladder and allows the fish to return to the seabed. There are two dangers in doing this. First, it must be done correctly or the fish could be killed instantly. Secondly, when the needle is inserted through the skin, it picks up slime which is then deposited deep inside the fish. This can cause an infection which results in a long, slow death. I use a device that safely and efficiently returns the fish to the sea and I offer it to you for your consideration.

Safe Release.jpg (6861 bytes)The device consists of a 5# rock cod weight, a 24" piece of braided stainless leader and a 10/0 stainless hook modified to be barbless. Simply attach the hook to the weight with the wire leader and keep the device permanently on your boat. When a seabass is caught, tie a line from any convenient rod to the bend of the hook. (Use at least 25 pound test so the line doesn’t break) The hook is then inserted DOWNWARD through the UPPER lip of the fish and the weight is slipped gently into the ocean, followed by the fish. With the reel in freespool, the weight pulls the fish to the bottom where its swim bladder deflates naturally. If it doesn’t swim away by itself, a sharp upward pull on the line will pull the hook out and release the fish.

Black seabass.jpg (7458 bytes)This "Safe Release", as I call it, costs only a few dollars to build and is the easiest, and safest, device I have ever found. Take the time to build one and keep it in a convenient spot on your boat.

Hit Counter


You too can get published right here at CharkBait. Have an idea other boaters or fishermen could use, some experience to share, a great trip to report? Well, get typing, include some pics, and if your article is selected for publication you'll receive a free CharkChirt and the appreciation of other fishermen.

 

Thank you for visiting!

If you have any questions please contact me through e-mail.

© CharkBait 1998/9


 

Any questions?
Please e-mail us, click on the image-button link below or give us a call:

Internet
Sales & Service
Order Processing
& Shipping

Office Hours:
8am-5pm Monday-Friday
(office closed on major holidays and weekends)

Staff: Mark, Leeana, Paul, Nadiya & Tom

Phone Toll Free
 1-877-424-2751
1-800-823-4243
1-714-840-4500
 fax: 714-846-0032

If you are trying to reach us after our office hours or weekends, our  Huntington Beach shop staff can assist. *
1-800-823-4243*
 

Please note: We're closed major holidays, both our offices and our shops.
New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas.

 ONLINE SALES & SERVICE CONTACTS
Click on one of the characters below to email us.		 Retail Shops
2011 CA Fishing Licenses Available at both our shops

Huntington Beach
 16561 Bolsa Chica St. #105
 Huntington Beach, CA 92649
1-714-846-6452

Staff:Manager
 John Hazlett,
Beta - Asst.Mgr., Max, Blake & Sergey
Hours:
Monday 10AM-5PM
Tuesday-Friday 10AM-7PM
Saturday 10AM-6PM
Sunday 10AM-5PM
-----------------------
San Diego
Midway Village Shopping Center
3166 Midway Dr. #101
 San Diego, CA 92110
1-619-224-1112

Staff: Manager
Mike Eslinger
 Megan & Zeke
Hours:
Closed Mondays
Tuesday-Friday 10AM-7PM
Saturday 9AM-6PM
Sunday 10AM-5PM

Product Info&Sales
Mark
Product Advice & Technical Assistance
(Mon-Fri)

Offshore Private Boating & Long Range

 Technical Support
John
Technical Help
(Wed-Sun)

Inshore, Offshore, Long Range		 Technical
Support

 Beta
Sales & Local Conditions

Inshore &  Private Boating
Local   Expertise 		Customer
Support

 Paul
 Order Status & Shipping
(Mon-Fri)

Inshore, Mid Range Offshore		 Customer Support
Leeana
Invoicing
& Billing Questions
(Mon-Fri)

Gets seasick, never fishes, but she's a wiz at 'puters & IPhones...
(world record holder for Angry Bird game)		 Customer Support
Tom
Shipping & Tracking
(Mon-Fri)

Inshore Private Boating & Long Range

skype us @ CharkBait-USA 

Skypen wir. Senden Sie uns ein eMail mit Ihren Kontaktinformationen und zur zeitlichen Planung der Kontaktaufnahme.

Skype мы. Пошлите электронную почту для данных по контакта и к контакту план-графика.

Skype nous.
La Marque de Courrier électronique pour notre compte appelle et programmer le temps.

Skype εμείς. Στείλετε το ηλεκτρονικό ταχυδρομείο για τα στοιχεία επαφής και στην επαφή προγράμματος.

Skype noi. Trasmetta il email per informazioni di contatto ed al contatto di programma.

Skype私達。連絡先情報のためのそしてスケジュールの接触への電子メールを送りなさい。

Skype nosotros. Envíe el email para la información de contacto y al contacto del horario.
 

As a means to reduce spam, we change the above incoming addresses regularly. 
Please don't bother adding them to your address book.  
We do apologize for any inconvenience this policy creates. But, it's the only way we've found to post an email address on-line and not receive so many solicitations from some family member of a deceased "Nigerian" leader trying to move great sums of $ out of the country...

Virtual Visit Video
Prior to warehouse addition in '07

Thanks for visiting and supporting...
CharkBait! Internet Sportfishing


Please check our customer satisfaction ratings!
We're AAA rated, the best in the business. Quite a contrast from our "competition"...

City of Huntington Beach Business License: A179880, A207574

All rights reserved © 1996-2009
All rights reserved: All Original Images and Creative Content are the copyrighted property of CharkBait/Mark Smith.
The CharkBait name, logos and other content of this website are trademarked ™, as well, the names of our proprietary lures and travel rods are tradmarked™ and our exclusive use is reserved by us.
Infringement upon our legal rights to exclusivity of use will be vigorously prosecuted. That's a promise.

CharkBait makes no guarantee on merchandise, product safety or suitability beyond those claims offered by the respective manufacturers. We only offer products that we believe in. CharkBait maintains a significant inventory of the products we represent, that saves shipping time for our clients, and proves our belief in the products we represent. We stock the gear we sell, we don't depend upon a third party to handle your order.  Your order with CharkBait is given personal attention. 

We do not provide any personal information regarding our visitors and clients to anyone. That's our privacy policy. We do have banner advertising on many pages.  We are the host for that service, the ads reside on our server. We do utilize "cookies" in order to increase user friendliness and functionality of this site. Cookies are required for building your "shopping cart." Bottom line, CharkBait respects our visitors and clients. 

We maintain the site daily, but please don't hold us liable for tyyppooographical errors or price changes which are beyond our control.  All transactions are confirmed prior to shipment.  All opinions expressed are those of the author, you can take 'em or leave 'em.  Shoes and shirts are not required for service. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.  I think that about covers it.