Posted by LarryM from 12-248-176-98.client.attbi.com on March 08, 2002 at 16:36:31:
In Reply to: Re: C.P.R. - serious hook removal posted by fshndude on March 08, 2002 at 14:11:07:
According to the In-Fisherman article it takes a long time, many months. A test that was done showed, after 4 months, 78% of the hooks in tested fish where still there. Cadium-coated hooks poisoned the fish; 70% of nickle-coated hooks and over 80% for other metals were still in the fish after 4 months. Fish mortality is greater when the line is cut at the hook. If you have to leave a hook in, leave at least 18 inches of line with it.
I've caught bass in Busse that had 2 or 3 old hook holes, red but healing. I don't think there's anything man can do to help the wounds.
The benefits of C&R is that SOME of the fish will live. But being hooked is just one of the problems. How long they fight before being landed and how long they are out of the water while being unhooked and photographed also affect whether the fish will live or die.
I've read that if the fish is out of water longer than a minute or 2, it's chances for survival are lessened. How long can you hold your breath under water? A fish doesn't know it's supposed to hold it's breath out of water.