Handle With Care - Photographing Fish
Words By: North 40 Outfitters
Posted: January 24, 2014

The following is an informative link by the folks over at Gink & Gasoline on how to best take fish pictures when you're out by yourself. The emphasis of the article, of course, is ensuring the fish survives the photo session and is none the worse for wear when released.

In addition to Gink & Gasoline's wisdom & help it's also important to keep in mind a few other details that give your catch a chance to fight another day.

  • Avoid using abrasive nets, instead opt for a quality rubberized material
  • Keep a pair of pliers, hemostats or a release tool handy at all times
  • Avoid using hard jerking motions when removing your hook. I've seen many anglers try to release a fish by quickly jerking or popping the hook out only to have the hook stay and the fish's mandible damaged.
  • If you don't plan to keep your catch for dinner, it makes sense to use barbless hooks. Barbless hooks typically penetrate better on hook-sets anyway' and proper fighting techniques will help ensure you land your fish regardless of the fact you're missing a barb.
  • Don't over-play your catch! Get the fish to the net as quickly as possible and keep them in the water.
  • If you feel you must leave your hook in a fish, be sure to remove as much of the attached fishing line as possible.
  • Don't keep the fish out of water for more than 5 seconds at a time! A good fish photo is one where you can see water rushing off the fish because it had just been removed from the water.
  • Don't beach the fish or put it into a position where it might damage itself while thrashing. A fish can easily do damage to itself if left to flop around in shallow water.
  • When fishing from a boat, keep the fish in the net when held over the boat. Try to avoid the classic fumble onto the boat's floor. All the grime, rocks and gear is sure to damage the fish while it flops around down there. Keep the net under the fish while taking photos in case it does pop out.
  • Don't release a played-out fish into fast water! Make sure to revive them in slow current before releasing.
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