Bonefish Catch and Release
You probably already know good basic methods for properly releasing gray ghosts, but a recent study by several research authorities sheds additional light on the subject.
What was found to be the number one culprit contributing to bonefish angling mortality? Air exposure. Leave a gray ghost out of water for only a minute and its heart becomes starved of oxygen. Force yourself to remove the hook, grab a quick photo and release the fish without exposing it to air for more than a few seconds.
Speaking of the importance of time, work a bonefish to the boat without unduly prolonging the stress on the fish. Using tackle that’s too light for your quarry will over-tire it and lessen sufficient recovery. A dragged-out fight also ups the odds of a shark or barracuda taking advantage of the situation; if you see a predator, horse your bonefish to the boat quickly and release it after ensuring your own safety and letting it fully revive.
Since bonefish released in poor condition obviously have a higher risk of being attacked by predators, we wanted to know if releases close to cover such as a complex of mangrove prop roots would make a difference. Surprisingly, we found no benefit as bonefish tended to stay on open flats rather than darting for cover.
Another important time factor involves water temperature that exceeds 25oC (77oF). Bonefish tend to fare more poorly in warmer water, so take that into consideration when choosing gear and playing the fish.
Besides air exposure, handling time and water temperature, the loss of equilibrium to a bonefish after release makes it six times more likely to be attacked by a predator than one released without losing equilibrium. To reduce the affects of all those factors, just leave the fish in the water when unhooking and releasing it.
Study results don’t reveal undue physical damage to the mouth and gills upon hook-setting, which means circle hooks aren’t needed for this species. Bonefish possess hard crushing plates on the roof of their mouth and tongue, making hooking injuries less likely. Even so, barbless hooks remain a good idea because they make for easier removal.
A common question is whether there’s an advantage in using mechanical lip-gripping tools. A recent study we performed reveals that these tools can actually cause significant injury to the lower jaw of bonefish and therefore impair feeding. It’s better to wet your hands to hold a fish or ideally use a pair of pliers or a hemostat to remove the hook.
With these study results in mind, take extra care when playing and releasing this amazing species and encourage your friends to do likewise. After all, you’re the first line of defense when it comes to the conservation of bonefish populations.
For more information, contact Dr. Andy Danylchuk ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )