This happens twice a year. People send us pictures of their catches and someone always loses their minds on how they are holding a twelve inch fish. They literally will chastise small children playing internet tough guy on pages. Instead of sending us a message they will methodically go to every post and lecture the person in the picture. Talk about anal retentive. The sad part is most of these are first time anglers and they don’t know how to properly hold the fish. The other sad part is the person who is complaining only cares about the striped bass, all other fish you could step on, or toss into a meat grinder and they could care less. I have seen them complain and then toss a dogfish, croaker, kingfish, or spot fifteen feet into the air to send it back into the water. All the time complaining about the fish and wishing it was a striped bass. The beast way to release a striped bass is while it is still in the water. The easiest way to do this is not catch one. The proper way to hold a striped bass is by the lip, and larger bass should be cradled. Dragging them through the sand, or laying them on the sand, holding with dry hands, gloves, or a dry towel is not good for the fish. What makes them slippery is called a slime coat and it is their first defense against diseases. Holding them improperly can damage or remove that slime coat. Just like our phlegm system in our own bodies works as our first line of defense. Yes that slime coat could be referred to as fish snot. So for the sake of the striped bass’s health and our own sanity from a few keyboard cowboys, please hold your fish properly for a picture. Because what you do after that is not on camera, and no one can complain, or cares. I think the don’t gaff the fish if you intend to release it, is really good advice. Yes I have seen that before too. We are not going to stop posting pictures of improperly held fish, that is just silly, but we will try to educate people on proper handling.
Fish On!!’
Rich King