My fishing partner felt a tap and set the hook on a fish in 32 feet of water. The big bass intermittently stripped the line from his reel before he finally guided it into the landing net. Thirty minutes later, the 8-pounder turned over in the boat’s livewell, its swim bladder full of air. ten years later, I sat with a number of avid bass anglers and listened to professionals explain ways to help keep these fish alive.

TPWD’s Presentation

“Catching a fish out of deep water and bringing it to the surface causes the air in the swim bladder to increase, somewhat like a human who gets the bends,” said Randy Myers, TPWD district leader from San Antonio. according to the biologist, it takes one hour for a bass to adjust to a six-inch change in water depth.

The Fish Doctor explained the condition is scientifically known as Barotrauma. Symptoms include a swollen belly, bulging eyes and floating on its side or upside down. Fish that are caught and immediately released are usually not affected by the condition because they return to their previous depth. Fish kept in livewells and tournament-held-fish are the most affected.

TPWD fisheries biologists conducted a limited scientific study on Lake Amistad to develop “scientifically-based best management practices for treatment of tournament-retained black bass afflicted with barotrauma.” The study found there were an average of 30,000 bass caught per year (from 2004-2008) during bass tournaments at Big Friendly.

Fisheries personnel studied fish from five tournaments during 2009. They interviewed 900 anglers/teams and determined three-day post survival rates for 433 fish. “On average, 45 percent of the tournament-weighed fish experienced barotrauma,” said Myers. (Scientists historically use a control mechanism as well as the actual test (tournament fish) subjects. TPWD caught 464 bass by electrofishing in the spring of 2009 and 2010. Each was subjected to barotrauma and different treatment methods.)

In conclusion, the fish were held in large pens within the depths of Amistad and their conditions noted after three days. Survival rates were 89 percent for fish not having barotrauma and 81 percent for bass with the condition.

The Fizzing Treatment Method

Bass anglers for more than a decade have been using small hypodermic needles (16-18 gauge) available at feed and veterinary supply stores) to release the air from over-inflated swim bladders in bass. The TPWD studied this treatment method known as “venting” and/or “fizzing” in the fishing world.

Two methods are commonly used to remove the air. one removes the air by introducing the needle into the swim bladder a short distance behind the pectoral fin; this method is known as Side Fizzing. The second method known as Mouth Fizzing involves introducing the needle into the bladder through the mouth slightly above the gullet. The TPWD study found that 45 percent of tournament-caught fish had barotrauma; 6-24 percent of the tournament anglers treated their fish during the tournament; barotrauma lowers the survival rate of tournament fish but only by 8 percent; Side-fizzing and deep-release did not increase or decrease survival; mouth fizzing decreased survival by 14 percent; timing of treatment did not affect survival; level of fizzer experience did not affect survival; and 57 percent of mouth-fizzed fish died if they bled.

Study statistics indicated there was a 100 percent survival rate for immediately released fish. The lower survival rate for mouth-fizzed bass, according to Myers, was probably because the anterior kidney is located near the insertion point.

Keeping Fish Alive In a Livewell

“There is not a boat made that will keep fish alive 100 percent of the time without human intervention,” said Carl Wengenroth, Bass Care Coordinator for the Texas Bass Federation West Region. Proper preparation of the livewell, according to Wengenroth, is an important step in keeping the fish alive. His tips include chemicals, ice and oxygen.

Various oils and other debris might gather at boat ramps so the bass care coordinator offered, “Keep your livewells water free at the boat ramp. run to your first spot and fill the tanks there.”

Catch and release chemicals are available at different sporting goods store and marinas. (Personally, when I used to chase the tournaments, I readily kept one of these solutions in my livewell.) some people also use stock salt like you buy at feed stores. “But remember that salt causes rust and you must use proper care to keep your metal parts maintained,” said Wengenroth. He recommended 2 caps full of catch-and-release product per livewell or cup of stock salt.

Temperatures get hot in the summer. “I carry 7-8 big bags of ice anytime the temperature is above 78 degrees. I try to keep the water temperature in the livewells around 72,” said Carl. what about the chlorine in ice? Catch and release products help reduce any negative affect. Floating thermometers are a simple addition as long as they are designed in a manner so they won’t injure the fish.

Fish need oxygen. some anglers now have elaborate oxygen delivery systems installed in their boats that keep their livewells properly aerated “Or use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide once a day to give instant oxygen to your livewells,” said Wengenroth. a dissolved-oxygen-meter could be another addition. (Go to sure-life.com to watch videos of Bass Professor Doug Hannon explaining Side Fizzing and the proper use of hydrogen peroxide in livewells.)

The care coordinator offered another tip when you get to the weigh in site. Big tournaments may have tanks to keep the fish healthy while you wait in line for them to be weighed. use a mesh bag inside your regular weigh bag as you move along the line heading to the scales. The mesh bags allow the new water to saturate your fish before you move on.

Life, fishing and fish-care-measures are an ever-learning experience. a few minutes and a little effort and your fish should make it to the boat ramp, weigh-in site or the cleaning station.

Thanking those who Care

Field and Streams Sporting Goods, Dean’s Marine, ProLine Trolling Motors and Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries sponsored the recent program. The Concho Bass Club allowed use of their building. Randy Myers and Carl Wengenroth traveled many miles to present the program. Local TPWD fisheries personnel Bobby Farquhar, Mukhtar Farooqi, John Ingle, Charles Cruz and Mandy Scott service our local lakes and provided support at the seminar. Ray Pardue, a member of the San Angelo Bass Club and San Angelo Bass Busters, had the original idea to bring such a seminar to San Angelo. thank you all.

Tournament directors might check out the Fish Care Guidelines at wildlifedepartment.com/FISHCARE.htm.

Contact Russell S. Smith at .