Salmon are amazing sport fish that put up a tremendous fight once hooked. But people need to be careful not to hurt these fish when they handle them. An important skill for any fisherman who wants to catch salmon is how to hold them properly. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of safely holding salmon once landed.
Why Proper Handling Matters
There are a few key reasons why properly holding salmon is important:
-
Reduce injury to the fish. Salmon have delicate bones and tissues that can be damaged if mishandled. Proper handling helps the fish survive after release.
-
Avoid injuring the angler. Salmon can be slippery and thrash around. Without a good grip, they could potentially cause cuts or other injuries.
-
Prevent fillet damage. Improperly holding salmon by the tail can dislocate vertebrae and cause blood seeps into the fillets.
-
It’s ethical Salmon should be treated with care whether they are being released or harvested Good handling is simply respectful to the fish.
Handling Tips for Salmon
Here are some best practices when handling salmon:
-
Use wet hands or a wet rag to grip the fish. This prevents removing the protective slime layer.
-
Hold the fish horizontally and support the entire body. Don’t hold it vertically or by the tail.
-
Grip salmon firmly but don’t squeeze too hard. Hold it secure but avoid applying excessive pressure.
-
For larger salmon, consider using two hands. Support the head with one hand and the belly with the other.
-
When holding vertically for a photo, support the entire length of the body. Don’t suspend it solely by the jaw.
-
Limit how long you handle salmon out of water. 10-20 seconds should be the maximum if the fish is being released.
-
Use a rubberized mesh net to land and briefly handle salmon. This helps minimize slime loss and potential injury.
-
Avoid placing salmon on hard or dry surfaces. It’s best to leave them in the net or keep them in the water as much as possible.
-
Don’t poke fingers into the gills or eye sockets. This can damage sensitive tissues and organs.
-
Refrain from sticking thumbs into the throat to control the fish. This can injure jaw bones and gill structures.
-
When releasing, gently hold the salmon upright in flowing water until it revives and swims away voluntarily.
Hand Positions for Holding Salmon
There are two recommended hand positions for safely holding a landed salmon:
Two-Handed Mid-Body Grip
-
With wet hands, position one hand under the forward half of the belly.
-
Place the other hand under the mid to rear section of the belly.
-
Spread the fingers to cradle and support the belly.
-
Keep the wrists straight and elbows out. Avoid squeezing the belly cavity.
-
Lift the salmon horizontally, keeping the back straight. Support the entire weight of the fish.
Head-Grip Technique
-
Wet the landing hand and place it beneath the head behind the gill plate.
-
Firmly grip the head while allowing the hand to slide into position under the gill cover.
-
Place the thumb inside the mouth behind the teeth if needed for extra control.
-
Use the other hand to support the belly, especially on larger salmon.
-
Keep the salmon horizontal as you lift it from the water.
Additional Tips for Careful Handling
-
If a net is needed to control the salmon, use a rubberized mesh net to minimize slime and scale loss. Avoid knotted nets.
-
For a quick photo, hold the salmon horizontally and support the entire body. Keep it very low, just above the water.
-
Use hook removers or pliers to easily remove hooks without handling the salmon excessively.
-
Allow Atlantic salmon and weary fish ample recovery time before release. Hold them facing upstream to let water flow through the gills.
-
Be prepared with wet rag or glove for grasping slimy fish. Don’t attempt to beach the salmon or pull it onto rocks.
-
When keeping salmon, use a soft cloth to hold it rather than fingers when cleaning and filleting it.
-
Avoid lifting salmon vertically by the jaw when weighing them. Support head and body horizontally on the scale.
-
Practice proper fish handling techniques to develop good instincts. Remaining calm and avoiding panicking prevents rough treatment.
Why Supporting the Head is Ideal
The head-grip technique is highly recommended over holding salmon by the tail or middle. Here’s why:
-
Provides complete control of head movements and thrashing which is where injuries occur.
-
Keeps the back straight and vertebrae aligned since the head directs body positioning.
-
Allows anglers to protect themselves from bites and hits from the muscular tail.
-
Pulling salmon by the tail can separate vertebrae, damaging fillets. Gripping the head avoids this.
-
Access to the jaw provides leverage for controlling large salmon.
-
Heads and gill plates are tough and can take firm handling compared to softer bellies.
-
Facilitates easy hook removal without tearing mouth tissue. Just turn the salmon’s head toward the hook.
So for many reasons, experienced anglers endorse holding salmon by the head and gill plate area. This provides control while supporting the weight of the fish.
Use Proper Handling to Care for Salmon
Using appropriate handling techniques is vital for ensuring salmon suffer minimal negative impacts from being caught. This allows them to swim away healthy after release and protects meat quality on kept fish. Treating salmon carefully and humanely is simply the right thing to do.
The Correct Riverbank Salmon Fight Angle Position
The logical position on the riverbank to play a salmon is always from a side on position. If you let a fish get too far below you and then try to play it, you’ll be putting too much pressure on the hook hold in the out-of-mouth direction. This means that the salmon will naturally shake its head from side to side, which will make the shallow flesh hook hold less reliable. That’s on top of the weight of the river, so this usually ends badly because there is too much pressure on the hook hold. If I can, I’ll always walk down and stand across from the salmon instead of trying to get it to come back up to where I am.
Other Important Salmon Fight Factors To Consider
When you play salmon, it’s also important to remember that fish will often fight back harder if you play them too hard. People say “catch a fish hard.” If you take your time, the salmon will eventually get tired and give up control to the point where it can be easily led to the waiting landing net and set free without being too tired. Also, why in the world would you want to force a fish into the net when it’s likely to react in a way that could easily cause you to lose the fish and ruin the whole experience of playing the salmon?
Handling Salmon Safely
FAQ
How to handle salmon after catching?
How do you hold a fish?
When handling a fish, never grab it by its gills, eyes, or mouth. These body parts are very sensitive and may take a long time to heal if damaged. The correct way to hold a fish is to support its weight evenly using two hands. To do this, hold the underside of the fish with one hand while placing the other hand near the tail.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
How do you hold a fish for catch and release?
When holding a fish for catch and release purposes, it is important to handle the fish gently and quickly to minimize stress. Wet your hands before handling the fish to prevent damaging its protective slime layer. Hold the fish horizontally and support its weight with both hands.
How do you handle a fish?
Wet your hands before handling the fish to prevent damaging its protective slime layer. Use a landing net to lift the fish out of the water if possible. If you must handle the fish, hold it gently and avoid twisting or bending its body. If the fish is too large to hold with one hand, use both hands to cradle it and support its weight evenly.