Northwest Fishing Reports

I understand when, why it is done. But since you are poking a hole in the swim bladder to throw the fish in the livewell to equalize the pressure, are there any negative impacts on the fish once it is released? Ie: can the fish properly regulate its level in the water column w/ a hole in its bladder? Insight?

Supposedly soon after the needle is removed the hole seals up and all is well. The fish swims back to the bottom and recovers quickly.

I have no idea if there are very many fish that get an infection and die. I don't think that has ever been studied. Probably some do is my guess.

I've never had to fizz a fish, and I don't fish that deep anyway. Ya know 30 or more feet in depth. Yes I've thought about all that over the years.

Due to the fact that you are dealing with soft tissue, the tiny hole created by the needle is sealed rather quickly when the needle is removed. Sort of like the self sealing fuel bladders the military has on helicopters and such. Now if you go jabbing a large hole in the fish or cut a slit in it, that's an entirely different matter.

needle cleanliness (being reused) considered during the survey??

Ok, on that note about the small needles. Obviously the smallest and cleanest needle to do the job is ideal, however we are dealing with a positive pressure bladder. Even with a small hole...pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have never fizzed one before, but catch many fish at 30+ ft but never toss them in the livewell, but with the lake Wa open a few weeks away, i will be.

lowvw wrote:Ok, on that note about the small needles. Obviously the smallest and cleanest needle to do the job is ideal, however we are dealing with a positive pressure bladder. Even with a small hole...pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have never fizzed one before, but catch many fish at 30+ ft but never toss them in the livewell, but with the lake Wa open a few weeks away, i will be.

Very important that you bring your needles man ! Sometimes they have some on hand for us to use and are giving away after the boaters meeting !! If your new to fizzing , I would suggest sending a PM to taggy , he will provide a great method for you to follow (Thats how i learned , TW University)

vid;

2etof7_x8NE

more;

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... +bass&aq=f

http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm

Great topic as we approach the time of year that almost all smallmouth caught during a tournament on the "wet"side of the State will need to be fizzed. If you are prefishing or recreational fishing, you will not need to fizz the bass if you put them right back in the water as quickly as possible. I believe the delayed mortality rate is extremely low, next to zero if a bass if fizzed properly. I know I have caught the same fish in consecutive years and even during the same season in the Fall that have been fizzed on more than one occasion. I can identify some of these fish by distinctive markings or features. The problem is most anglers don't know how to fizz fish properly and end up turning the bass into a pin cushion and consequently damaging internal organs. Honestly, I cringe when I see some of these anglers show up to Fall tournaments because I know the fish will not be cared for properly and any fish they bring to the weigh-in will likely expire following the tournament. Therefore I have tried to do my best at educating anglers on how to properly fizz fish during the Fall, Winter and early Spring.

Keep in mind that just because a bass is caught in shallower water doesn't mean that it won't need to be fizzed. A smallmouth caught in 15 feet of water in mid-October has likely just moved up to feed temporarily and has been spending the majority of its time in 25 to 35 feet. The 11-3/4 lb. largemouth I caught at the end of September in 2006 on a buzzbait over a drop off at the end of a flat from 12 to 25 feet of water needed to be fizzed. This fish was likely living in 25 to 30 feet of water throughout the day based on the thermocline location, water clarity and unseasonably warm weather, and moved onto the edge of the flat to feed during the low-light periods.

First off, the needle you use is vitally important. An 18 gauge needle, 1-1/2 to 2 inches in length is perfect. You can find these needles at the feed stores as they are typically sold for animal injections.

The method I have found has a 100% first poke success rate if done properly and followed to a T. This is very similar to the Doug Hannon video, which is fantastic. Thank you for posting, Tom. Follow this video if it works for you. Here is my method which is a little more precise:

First, I draw an imaginary line from the anal opening to where the two dorsal fins meet. Next, I identify the exact point where that imaginary line crosses the fish's lateral line, and then mark that point visually by placing the needle on the exact intersection location for reference, but NOT inserting. The next step is vitally important but first do a double check to make sure your intersection point is perfect. The fish will thank you. From that point, count 3 scales down and 5 scales forward (towards the head). At that exact point, insert the needle under the corresponding scale and into the fish slowly, angling just slightly towards the head. You will hit the swim bladder EVERY time and get the textbook pffffffffffffffffff. Follow the Doug Hannon video method to insure you don't over deflate the swim bladder.

Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for taking care of our valuable resource.

thanks tag
this give me a great idea and confidence

Thanks for the video and the advice! I too have never fizzed a bass and would have not known this at all.