Bass Enthusiast - Handling the Bass

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Handling the Bass

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Handling the Bass

Hugh points out some good techniques for a new angler who is unsure on how to handle a bass once they catch it.

Handling the Bass

Landing and handling the bass are extremely important. DO NOT LET THE BASS LAY ON THE CARPET!! Bass have a layer of slime around their body. With the slime coat on the bass will photo better. If any of the slime coat comes off the bass is more likely to get an infection. The slime reflects light better than a dry skin. The bass can be held in the mouth or by placing the hand around the head and squeezing on the gill plates. A bass should never touch any part of the boat. It should be held by an angler with wet hands. Keep the bas healthy. You caught him. Let some one else experience the same bass. Come back when that bass is larger and catch him again.

When releasing the bass- drop him into the water. The bass will immediately swim off. If you have to revive the bass by holding him in the mouth and moving him back and forth in the water- you held him too long. Most of the time with this type of release the bass stays by the boat. Just drop the bass into the water and he will be gone.

Hugh Crumpler