'Is it true that mackerel die if handled?'

[coleg]

Frequently the question of returning mackerel alive appears on the various angling internet forums.

This is an extract from another forum, does anyone know if this is true?

There is a belief by many that once a mackerel has been touched by an anglers hands, even though the fish may swim away energetically, it is doomed.

Something to do with the heat/oil of the anglers hands (where it has been touched can often be seen as a handmark on the fish's skin).

Even though only microscopically damaged, the mackerel's skin continues to break down with death inevitable within 30 hours.

Shaking the fish off the hook or handling with wetted neoprene gloves is said to prevent the problem.

Catching only what you need would appear to be the best advice, but if you do hook a mackerel that you don't need then it's best to shake it off the hook without touching it (use of barbless hooks will help).

 

[el_sid]

doubt it mate, av heard people mentioning try not to handle them much, but cant imagine they will die if handled carfully, a hope not anyway as 99.9% of mine go back anyway and would be sad to think they have all died
am sure some one else will shed some more light on this tho????

 

[big sid]

Mackerel

Mackerel

I've read reports in magazines that the men in white coats have carried out studies and have found that Mackerel once handled and returned unharmed dont survive. True or Untrue thats for the individual to decide. As most of us know there are those out there who dont care, until that year when the Mackerel Bashing season dosent happen Why? The Mackerel Have been wiped out. Once these fish show The Mackerel Fever takes over and every BottomHole is out there swinging a multiple hooked trace.Try using a spinner on the lightest of gear hooking one at a time, then you may come to appreciate the Mackerel for what they really are.of course the BottomHoles out there dont give a toss as it seems the country is run by BottomHoles for BottomHoles.

 

[mark]

read it in a few places as well. shake off the hook if you can, handling with just wet hands or a wet rag increases there chance a lot as well I read somewhere

least if they do conk out after being released, they conk out in right place in the food chain, not on shields pier being used as a football or a toy for some charvers dog

 

[codseeker]

so what is the point of trying to catch them if you want to shake em off ya hook or release them take what ya need and leave dont carry on catching them to shake off or handle

 

[el_sid]

so what is the point of trying to catch them if you want to shake em off ya hook or release them take what ya need and leave dont carry on catching them to shake off or handle

aye a understand ur point but alot of people including myself fish for the sport and not to eat or use as bait, and even if u were fishing to keep wat about returning undersize fish(if people do return undersize mackerel?)

From wat av read online it seems theres not solid proof that handling mackerel will lead 100% to there death, all a would say is that if ur not fishing to keep or uv caught all u want, use/change to barbless hooks and try not to handle or use wet hands for all fish u are planning on returning, until there is solid proof either way.

 

[5150]

All fish have a mucus coating on them, handing them damages that, which can lead to them picking up infections. Wet hands or wet cloth as mentioned and try to handle as little as possible if you're intending to return, remember aswell not to be too rough with them, fish bruise just like we do. Ohh and keep them off dry surfaces, that'll do a lot of damage to the coating.

If you're purely going for sport - flatten your hook barbs so the fish will come off easier and take a pair of pliers so you can get hold of the hook and shake the fish off without having to touch the fish at all.

 

[willywetegg]

It will also save you from being absolutely covered with Mackerel scales when you go home too. I always have alcohol handwash in the car and it will remove most things, Mackerel scales are another thing altogether though, three cloths for wiping your hands don't last long either lol.

Jim.

 

[BriH]

If you're purely going for sport - flatten your hook barbs so the fish will come off easier and take a pair of pliers so you can get hold of the hook and shake the fish off without having to touch the fish at all.

take off the treble if your spinning and replace with a single hook of choice ,whether your sport fishing or keeping them - makes life a whole lot interesting - and its a lot easier to get them off a single hook ,to either return or dispatch

 

[thewestwind]

take off the treble if your spinning and replace with a single hook of choice ,whether your sport fishing or keeping them - makes life a whole lot interesting - and its a lot easier to get them off a single hook ,to either return or dispatch

Good shout Bri, I've used this method for years.