Rod Power and Conservation

Every fish you hook is fighting for its life. Even if you release it quickly, and even if you never remove it from the water, there is significant stress on the animal. While the fish might swim away rapidly and seem totally fine, a prolonged fight can cause permanent damage you never see. The fish can die out of sight, hours or days later, or get attacked and eaten by a larger fish, shark or mammal, such as a seal. In the end, choosing gear with enough power and fighting fish as efficiently as possible is a critical component of limiting this risk. ¶ The species you target and the conditions should weigh heavily on your choices. Some species are extremely susceptible to release mortality, like bonefish, while others are very hardy. Temperature is a huge risk factor, as is the spawn stage the fish is currently in. Warmer water contains less oxygen, and high water temps can lead to dangerous levels of hypoxia and tissue damage during a long fight. Very low temperatures are also a risk, where the fish can go into shock during or after the landing. Finally, if you injure a fish pre-spawn or while it’s attempting to spawn, it might not reproduce. And post-spawn fish are often exhausted and susceptible to injury. ¶ If you are a conservation-minded angler, choose heavier gear when in doubt. To be the best steward of your fishery, choose a rod, reel and line that can quickly subdue the largest fish you are likely to encounter. You don’t have to plan for a world record, but if you’re concerned about a fish’s release health, choosing gear for the more exceptional fish, not the average, is paramount. Yes, smaller fish won’t be quite as much fun, but that’s the trade-off one must make if you are serious about releasing your fish healthy and passing on angling to the next generation.