Are you tired of constantly trying to grab your slippery fish by the body? Do you struggle with keeping a good grip on it while removing hooks or cleaning it? Look no further.

Holding a fish by its gills can be a delicate practice, crucial for those angling for sport or in the midst of catch-and-release fishing. Although it’s a common method among experienced anglers, it’s vital to approach this technique carefully to minimize harm to the fish.

This guide aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge of how to hold fish by gills. We’ll cover when and how to safely employ this technique, ensuring the well-being of your aquatic catch while maintaining the integrity of the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or new to the hobby, understanding how to handle fish is essential for a responsible and enjoyable fishing experience.

What are the Benefits of Holding Fish by Gills?

Holding a fish by its gills offers numerous advantages, especially for catch-and-release fishing. Some of these benefits include:

• Less Stress on the Fish: By holding the fish’s gills rather than its body, you avoid putting pressure on vital organs and bones. This can help reduce stress and potential harm to the fish.
• Easier Hook Removal: Holding the fish by its gills allows you to keep a firm grip on it while removing hooks, ensuring a safe and efficient process.
• Better Control of the Fish: Gills provide a natural handle for holding the fish, giving you better control over its movements. This can be especially useful when taking photos or measuring the catch.
• Reduced Risk of Injury: Holding a fish by its gills minimizes the risk of getting pricked or cut by sharp fins, teeth, or hooks.
• Faster Release: By holding the fish securely and minimizing handling time, you can quickly release it back into the water. This helps reduce exhaustion and increases the chances of survival for catch-and-release fishing.

These are just some of the benefits of holding fish by their gills. With proper technique and care, this method can greatly improve the fishing experience for the angler and the fish.

What Will You Need?

Before holding fish by gills, gathering the necessary tools and safety equipment is important. These include:

• A Pair of Gloves: Gloves can protect your hands while handling slippery and potentially sharp fish.
• A Landing Net: Using a landing net helps you safely bring the fish out of the water before attempting to hold it by its gills.
• Adequate Knowledge and Understanding: Before attempting to hold a fish by its gills, familiarize yourself with the species and its behavior. This will help you handle the fish safely without causing unnecessary harm.

10 Easy Steps on How to Hold Fish by Gills

Step 1. Approach with Calmness:

Begin by calmly lifting the fish out of the water with either a landing net or your hands. This calm approach helps to prevent the fish from becoming overly stressed. Also, avoid holding the fish out of the water for more than a few seconds, which can negatively impact its oxygen intake.

Step 2. Wet Your Gloves and Hands:

Before directly handling the fish, getting your gloves and hands is crucial. This step is important because the slime coat on a fish’s body is a defense mechanism against infections and parasites. Dry hands can strip away this protective layer, leaving the fish vulnerable to disease.

Wetting your gloves and hands helps to minimize damage to the slime coat, ensuring the fish remains healthy and stress-free during and after the handling process. Ensure the water used to wet your hands and gloves is from the same body of water from which the fish was caught to maintain consistency in water temperature and conditions.

Step 3. Identify the Gills:

Carefully locate the gill covers on the sides of the fish’s head. It’s crucial to distinguish between the gill covers (operculum) and the actual gills. You should never insert your fingers directly into the gills as this can cause serious harm to the fish. Instead, your aim is to grip the fish by the hard parts of the gill covers. This method allows you to handle the fish firmly without damaging its delicate gills or impairing its ability to breathe.

Step 4. Gently Lift the Gill Cover:

Using your dominant hand, gently lift the edge of the one-gill cover, taking care not to touch the gills themselves. Your fingers should be positioned on the outside of the gill cover for a secure grasp.

Be sure to apply enough pressure to maintain a firm grip, but not so much that it could injure the fish. This delicate balance is crucial for the angler’s safety and the fish’s well-being. Remember, the goal is to control the fish without causing it undue stress or harm.

Step 5. Support the Fish’s Body:

While holding the gill cover with one hand, use your other hand to support the body of the fish, especially if it’s a larger specimen. This prevents undue stress on the fish’s spine and organs. Place your supporting hand under the belly of the fish, being mindful not to squeeze.

Proper support ensures the fish is secure and less likely to wriggle free, reducing the risk of injury for both you and the fish. This two-handed approach is crucial for maintaining control over the fish while performing hook removal or measuring tasks.

Step 6. Remove the Hook Carefully:

With the fish securely held by its gill cover and supported by your other hand, gently but firmly remove the hook from the fish’s mouth. If the hook is deeply embedded, consider using a pair of long-nosed pliers or a hook removal tool to minimize damage. It’s important to work quickly to ensure the fish spends as little time out of water as possible. When removing the hook, maintain a steady hand and avoid jerking movements that could harm the fish.

Step 7. Take a Quick Photo (If Desired):

If you wish to take a photo with your catch, ensure this step is performed quickly and efficiently. While keeping the fish securely held and supported as described in the previous steps, position it slightly outwards, facing the camera.

This offers a good angle for your photo and minimizes the time the fish is kept out of its natural environment. Remember, the health and well-being of the fish should always be your top priority, so keep this process brief to reduce stress and the risk of harm.

Step 8. Prepare for Release:

Before releasing the fish back into the water, take a moment to ensure it is ready and well-oriented. If it appears disoriented or stressed, allow the fish to regain its equilibrium. You can gently move the fish back and forth in the water to help oxygenate its gills and encourage normal breathing patterns. This step is crucial for the fish’s survival post-release, ensuring it is strong enough to swim away safely.

Step 9. Gentle Release:

When you feel the fish is ready, slowly lower it back into the water, still supporting its body. Release your grip on the gill cover first, followed by your supporting hand, allowing the fish to swim away independently. It’s important to perform this step gently to prevent any shock or additional stress to the fish. Watching the fish swim back into the depths is rewarding for any angler, symbolizing a successful catch-and-release practice.

Step 10. Clean Up and Reflect:

Finally, after the fish has been successfully released, take a moment to clean your hands and any tools used during the process. Reflect on the experience, noting anything you might do differently next time to improve the fish’s handling and release. Sharing these reflections with fellow anglers can contribute to a responsible and sustainable fishing culture.

By following these 10 easy steps on how to hold fish by their gills, anglers can ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable fishing experience that prioritizes the well-being of both the fish and the environment.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Minimize Handling Time: Remember that fish are delicate creatures, and prolonged handling can cause them stress, injuries, or even death. Therefore, minimizing the time you spend holding a fish by its gills is important. This means having all your tools ready and within reach before catching the fish.
2. Avoid Squeezing or Pinching the Gills: When holding a fish by its gills, make sure to support the weight of the fish with your other hand. Avoid squeezing or pinching the gills, as this can cause damage and hinder the fish’s breathing.
3. Consider Using Gloves: For larger fish or species with sharp fins, it may be helpful to use gloves when handling them by the gills. This can provide added protection for both you and the fish.
4. Release the Fish Quickly: Once you have successfully removed the hook or lure from the fish’s mouth, release it back into the water as quickly as possible. This will minimize stress and give the fish a better chance of survival.
5. Practice Proper Fish Handling Techniques: Holding fish by their gills should only be done when necessary and with proper techniques in mind. It is important to learn and practice other methods of handling a fish, such as using a landing net or gently gripping the fish around its body. This will ensure the safety and well-being of the fish and improve your overall fishing experience.

Remember, being a responsible angler means caring for the environment and the creatures inhabiting it. We must handle fish with care and to release them back into their habitat unharmed.

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Do Not Hold Fish Vertically by the Gills: Holding a fish vertically by its gills can cause undue strain and damage to its internal organs. Always aim to support the fish horizontally, distributing its weight evenly to avoid harm.
2. Avoid Touching the Gills with Dry Hands: The gills are where fish exchange gases – a critical process for their survival. Touching the gills with dry hands can remove the protective slime coat, making the fish more susceptible to diseases and infections.
3. Never Hold Small or Juvenile Fish by the Gills: Young or small fish are particularly delicate. Handling them by the gills can be fatal. Opt for gentler handling methods that support their whole body.
4. Refrain from Using Tools that May Harm the Gills: Some anglers might be tempted to use hook removers or other tools to handle fish by the gills. Ensure any tool used is designed specifically for the task and does not cause injury to the fish.
5. Do Not Ignore the Fish’s Stress Signals: If a fish appears to be struggling or shows signs of distress while being held by the gills, release it immediately. Recognize and respond to the fish’s health and behavioral cues to avoid causing irreversible damage or stress.

Being mindful of these precautions can help minimize harm to fish during the catch-and-release process, ensuring they remain healthy and vibrant within their natural habitat.

How Do You Hold a Toothy Fish?

Holding a toothy fish, such as a pike or muskie, by its gills can be risky due to its sharp teeth. In this case, handling the fish with caution and taking extra precautions is important.

One method is to use a jaw spreader tool to safely hold the fish’s mouth open while removing the hook. This eliminates the need to hold the fish by its gills and minimizes the risk of injury.

Another option is to use a landing net with rubberized mesh or a hook-proof coating. This will prevent the fish from getting tangled in the net and reduce potential harm to its teeth or fins.

Additionally, wearing gloves can provide added protection when handling toothy fish. Make sure to grip the fish firmly but gently around its body, avoiding contact with its sharp teeth and fins.

Remember to always handle toothy fish with care and consideration for their well-being. You can safely catch, handle, and release these fascinating creatures back into the water with the right tools and techniques.

What are the Disadvantages of Holding Fish by their Gills?

While holding fish by their gills may seem convenient and secure, it can also have negative consequences for the fish and the environment. Some possible disadvantages include:

• Injury or Harm to the Fish: As mentioned earlier, holding a fish by its gills can damage its delicate internal organs or protective slime coat, leading to infections, diseases, or even death.
• Increased Stress and Mortality Rates: Prolonged handling or mishandling of fish by their gills can cause them significant stress, leading to a higher mortality rate upon release.
• Harm to the Environment: In some cases, holding fish by their gills can also harm the environment. For example, struggling fish may accidentally release eggs or disturb sensitive habitats while being held.
• Legal Restrictions: Due to conservation concerns, certain regions may have legal restrictions on holding fish by their gills. It is important to research and understand local laws and regulations before using this method of handling a fish.

Ultimately, the disadvantages of holding fish by their gills outweigh the perceived benefits. Proper handling techniques and alternative methods are important to minimize harm to fish and their environment. As responsible anglers, we must prioritize the well-being of the fish over our own convenience. 

How Can You Support Fish Properly?

Properly supporting a fish while handling it is crucial to its safety and well-being. Here are some general tips for supporting fish effectively:

• Use Your Hands or a Landing Net: As mentioned earlier, holding fish by their gills should be avoided whenever possible. Instead, aim to support the fish’s body with your hands or use a landing net to gently lift it out of the water.
• Support the Fish Horizontally: When holding a fish, always aim to support its body horizontally. This distributes its weight evenly and minimizes strain on its internal organs.
• Avoid Squeezing or Crushing the Fish: When supporting a fish, do not squeeze or apply excessive pressure. This can harm or stress the fish.
• Use Two Hands for Larger Fish: Larger, heavier fish may require additional support. Cradle the fish’s body with both hands to ensure its safety and your own.
• Be Mindful of the Fish’s Size and Species: The size and species of a fish can affect how it should be handled. Do some research beforehand to understand the best practices for supporting different types of fish.

By following these tips, you can effectively support and handle fish in a way that minimizes harm and maximizes their chance of survival after being released back into the water.

Conclusion

In conclusion, how to hold fish by gills might seem like a practical skill for anglers, it is evident that this method poses significant risks to the fish’s health and survival. The damage to the gills, increased stress and mortality rates, potential environmental harm, and legal concerns highlight the importance of adopting more fish-friendly handling practices.

Anglers should strive to use alternative methods such as hands or landing nets, support the fish horizontally, and be aware of the specific needs of different species to ensure their well-being.

By prioritizing the safety and conservation of our aquatic life, we can enjoy the sport of fishing while preserving our waterways’ natural beauty and diversity for future generations.