We enjoy fishing for all it has to offer. The best of nature, the surroundings, and the quality time in the open, a refreshed mind with no worries of the outside world and the list can go on. There are a multiple reasons behind practicing catch and release. By releasing the fish unharmed, it will reproduce; have many offspring, therefore increasing our chance of fishing in the future. The next time we catch him, it would have grown larger and it is more fun catching a big fish. It is a way to ensure there are still some fish at a lake where more and more people fish every day. But if one is not careful about how he is releasing the fish back in the water, it is no point releasing them to begin with!

A good method to practice catch and release is to target fish with artificial fishing lures. It is easier to remove the hook from a fish's mouth than from the gut. But even then if the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line as close as possible to the fish's mouth instead of removing it. They will shed the hooks in about three week's time. It is also important to minimize the time the fish is out of the water – Ideally the hook should be removed while the fish is still in the water, remove and release the fish in the water as quickly as possible, drop it n the water by dropping it straight into the water head first.

Before you even catch the fish, take needle nose pliers and crimp down all the barbs on all of all your sharp fishing tackles. And don't worry about losing more of your fish – as long as you keep the line tight it should not be a problem. Handling the fish firmly and carefully is important. Wet your hands or wet gloves to minimize damage while handling them. To prevent the fish from thrashing around place a wet rag or a glove over the fish's eyes. Do not hold the fish by its gills or the eyes. If you have to, place the fish on vinyl covered foam, a smooth wet surface. Do not drop the fish on the boat.

Most of us take a picture with the fish. You have to remember to support the fish properly and try and avoid holding it vertical. Release the fish gently in the water so that I can go back to where it had come from. It is the duty of every responsible angler to treat the fish well; just because this is what you do for fun and just fish, you have no right to manhandle them. If you are using nature as a way of your entertainment or pleasure, make sure you take proper care of her. You are always eager to know more about fishing tips that comes to you handy on the trip, and then why not know the correct way of catch and release. Only if you know how to do it right, you are ensuring more chances of your future fishing. Tight Lines!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/catch-and-release-checklist-5708723.html

Allan Simons is an outdoor enthusiast. He is an avid angler and has penned down various articles on fishing, fishing tackles, trips and other such topics.