Replacing caught fish with new correction

[nate]

So all tournament fish probably die?

[pimplepounder]

So all tournament fish probably die?

Go to where they release the fish after a bass tournament the following couple of days. Take a good look around. Its not normal to see that many fish floating around of the same species in the same area. I know they do not all die, but a good share of them do.

I have noticed this quite a few times at different places. Fish placed in a live-well and having there bodies pounded around in there while bashing across the water is pretty tough on them plus the surface water temperature is much warmer which isn't very healthy either.

But what do you do?

[ebijack]

Well like mentioned, if your within legal rules, no harm no foul. BUT! I will state that after fishing tournaments and working tournaments for well over 40 yrs, there are some of us who know how to take care of fish and keep them alive for 8 hrs in a livewell and running 40+ miles in rough waters. Fizz fish ONLY if required and as a last option. And do it properly! Most boats out there do not have livewells large enough to keep say 5, 8lb walleyes alive and well for very long let alone 5 4 to 6lb smallies alive that long. There are things that can be done to help if folks want to invest in proper care of their fish. First off plug your livewell overflow so the fish DO NOT slosh back and forth. Keep the livewell full to over flowing onto the floor. Try putting a plastic bead in a partial full glass of water and shake the glass. Then do it completely full of water and see the difference. Keep the fish weighted to belly down/up right position in the livewell so the fish can burp out any excess air in it's bladder using clips on it's fins. Recirc only when not running, Recycle when running. As soon as you get off plane, refill the livewell! To state some basic's.

[pimplepounder]

I agree with everything that ebjack said here. It takes awareness and understanding of how to use good systems and methods to keep fish healthy and alive for a full day on the water.