Tips for ensuring a safe and healthy striper release.
I am old enough to remember when catching striped bass, especially large ones, was a big deal. It’s still a big deal and hopefully our fisheries management commissions will take the proper course of action so we can continue to catch striped bass in years to come without any seasonal shutdowns.
We have seen the average size of striped bass generally increase over the last several years so that sometimes it is difficult to catch a “slot size” from 28 to 31 inches, should you want to harvest one. It is very important that any striped bass that is to be released, be done properly to give it the best chance to survive.
Also, with the larger the striped bass, generally the longer the fight and the more stress put on the fish, which requires more time and effort to release it properly.
Remain Calm!
Fighting a big striped bass is exhilarating, but watching it kick and swim away can also be quite gratifying. As a member of the Hi-Mar Striper Club we preach proper handling, measuring and releasing of striped bass, including during our tournaments. No one wants to see a big floating striped bass. Although preventing this seems pretty basic, in the excitement that goes with catching a large striper things can sometimes go awry.
Having the right equipment, planning and coordination are necessary to execute the landing, measuring and “release” part of the game plan. In terms of equipment, this requires a large sturdy landing net – preferably with a coated “knotless” net material – along with pliers to remove the hook, an easy-to-use and easy-to-read measuring tape or ruler, and a locking lipper tool to aid in the reviving and resuscitation of the striped bass in the water alongside of the boat.
Before fishing begins, all equipment should be placed where it is easily accessible. The captain and crew should also discuss who is going to do what when the fish is ready to be brought onto the boat, measured and then released. Everything needs to be done as quickly as possible to minimize the time the fish is out of the water. Your crew should work together as a team, with everyone prepared to take on different roles; and hopefully everyone gets their shot at the rod when it comes to reeling one in.
Again, very important, stay calm!
Roles & Responsibilities
If the striped bass is too small, or you just want to release it, if you can, remove the hook in the water and the striper will eagerly swim away. Don’t attempt to lift anything other than small striped bass by a mojo or bunker spoon, and never use a gaff on a striper, even trying to gaff it in the lower jaw; it’s prohibited!
As the striper is ready to be landed, have the “net man” stand by and astern of the angler. This is when boat handling becomes very important. The line must always remain taut. Any slack, especially if the fish was caught on a bunker spoon or mojo, could result in the hook falling out of the hole that the large hook has worn in the fish’s jaw. The rod man and net man must work together to lead the striper headfirst in the net.
Once securely in the net, rotate the handle to the vertical position and place one hand on the hoop of the net and lift into the boat. Don’t try to lift the net in the horizontal position. That is how nets break and fish are lost. Unless the net man spends a lot of time lifting weights, someone else should help him to lift it into the boat to minimize dragging it over the gunnel. Once on the deck remove the hook.
When dehooking a fish, pliers obviously make it easier. Sometimes the long nose de-hooking pliers are necessary. Although circle hooks usually result in the fish being in the jaw, sometimes they will end up in the gullet. If you can quickly remove it, do so. Otherwise cut the leader as close to the hook as possible and leave it. It should fall out in a few days.
Catch, Photo & Release
Remember, time is of the essence once that fish is onboard. Place the striper on the measuring tape or ruler. For Hi-Mar Striper Club tournaments we’ve been using a measuring tape with very large visible numbers that rolls up for easy onboard storage. The other one I’d recommend is a hard ruler made by FishStix that’s available in many tackle shops that comes in a 40-inch long model, as well as a bit larger for bigger fish; they also make smaller rulers for measuring fluke, sea bass and other species. I painted a green “3” slot fish” zone on mine.
Position the striper on top of the measuring tape or ruler making sure the tip of the snout is at “0”. Make sure you are measuring the striped bass in accordance with your state’s regulations. In New Jersey this is to the tip of the tail with the upper and lower tail forks pinched together. It helps to lay a wet towel over the fish’s eyes to calm it down. For larger stripers it may take two people to restrain the fish to get an accurate measurement.
When the slot fish size regulations were made mandatory by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission a few years ago, then further reduced to 28 to 31 inches by emergency action 3 years ago, it really complicated things for striped bass tournaments. Weighing fish was no longer possible, or practical, which is why Hi-Mar Striper Club came up with our Catch, Picture and Release format that’s proven successful over the last several years. Of course, this also puts a great deal of responsibility for honesty on the part of the participants. This requires taking a picture of the striped bass on top of the official tournament measuring tape, showing the entire fish and the total length, as clearly as possible using a smart phone. The picture is then sent electronically to the number provided in the tournament rules.
When participating in a catch and release tournament ruled by photos, assign your best picture taker and technologically advanced crew member to this task. In addition to getting that tournament winning photo, it helps reduce the time the fish is out of the water. Even if you are not in a tournament, the angler may want a picture of the big striped bass that they caught. The best way to do this is for the angler to sit down on something like a cooler or seat, perhaps leading against the transom or gunnel, while supporting the fish by the lower jaw and resting on your thighs with the sun at the photographer’s back. Avoid lifting large striped bass by the jaw and never put your hands into the gills. Holding large striped bass vertically by the jaw or gills can cause internal damage.
Striper Revival
Now the most challenging part, releasing the striped bass. I made a release tool to facilitate this process that consists of a locking fish lipper (several manufactures make these), a 5-foot long quarter-inch rope lanyard attached to the lipper, a pool float ball to make it easier to hold onto and clip to attach to something on the boat. Attach the lipper to the striper’s lower jaw and lock it. Lift the striper by the lipper with one hand and the other hand supporting the fish’s belly. Have someone hold the end of the lanyard at the float, or clip it to something on the boat and carefully place the striper into the water alongside the boat, but not near the props. The lanyard makes it easier on boats with high gunnels like mine, and safer on boats with low gunnels where falling overboard is possible. Overall, it’s easier and safer than trying to hold onto the striper’s jaw with your hand while leaning over the gunnel.
Once the soon-to-be-released striper is in the water, direct the helmsman to slowly motor forward to get enough water moving through fish’s mouth and through the gills. Sometimes this can take what seems like a long time, 15 minutes or more. The larger the striped bass, generally the longer it can take to revive it, but don’t give up!
| RULES & REGS |
| There’s a one-fish bag limit on striped bass and it must measure inside the slot of 28 to 31 inches in order to retain. Based on the recent vote by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) that regulation will remain in place through 2026. Keep in mind that non-offset circle hooks are required when fishing with bait, and per ASMFC mandate it is illegal to gaff or attempt to gaff a striped bass. As of January 1 and through until March 1, it is illegal in the state of New Jersey to target striped bass – even for targeted catch and release – west of the COLREGS (bays, estuaries and saltwater rivers). |
You will know when the fish is finally ready as the side fins start moving, the fish begins swimming in a wide “S” and then clamps down on the lipper. Reach down and unlock the lipper and watch the striper swim down and away from the boat. If the striper is truly ticked off, it will flick its tail and splash you. You’ll be wet but happy.
There’s been a lot of discussion and debate over striped bass management of late, and reducing release mortality in the fishery has taken center stage. Just remember that the most important thing is to minimize the time the striper is out of the water. Planning for this, coordination by the captain and crew and using the right equipment should allow you to properly release these magnificent gamefish.
Tight lines and stay safe!
