What is the best way to revive a barbel?

RSS
Email

0 Kudo

Forum Jump

Author	Comment
Andy K	What is the best way to revive a barbel?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 192 (29/07/07 14:04) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I have always considered myself to be a very conscientious angler and try to look after the fish I catch as well as possible.On the odd occasion when the big fish show up and you have to aid them so they can swim off strongly into the current I was just wondering what is the best way to do this?I have always put one hand under their belly while holding the tail with my other hand and just move the fish gently forwards and backwards until it is strong enough to kick.Yesterday however a fellow angler advised me not to do this because if you move a fish backwards you can "drown" it.Now am I doing this wrong or is the guy talking tosh.I would be interested to hear if this is right and also other peoples methods for aiding a large fish.
BarbusFan	Re: What is the best way to revive a barbel?	#1	[-]
Posts: 341 (29/07/07 14:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have to agree with you Andy. I have always been led to believe, that by gently moving them backwards and forwards in the current, it gets the oxygenated water back running through their gills. But now i'm reading that i should be massaging the belly etc etc !! Is there a definitive method or do they all do the same thing in the end. Michael.
thejesmonddingo	Re: What is the best way to revive a barbel?	#2	[-]
Posts: 441 (29/07/07 14:47) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I always give them the kiss of life Ian
rob swindells	Re: What is the best way to revive a barbel?	#3	[-]
Posts: 381 (29/07/07 15:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As a start, as soon as you have played a fish big or small it is a good idea to rest it straight away in the landing net before you do anything else........this will aid your recovery time. If you dont want to weigh it or take pics you should unhook it in the net/water (where possible) rest and release when fighting fit. If your going to weigh and take pics leave it in the water whilst you set everything up........do what you need to do and rest the fish again ready for release. I dont see anything wrong with the gentle rocking motion to aid recovery.....after all if you sit back and watch barbel you will see them gently moving backwards occaionally in the flows.
sneydbill	Re: What is the best way to revive a barbel?	#4	[-]
Posts: 1500 (29/07/07 15:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Unhook and rest them in the net as Rob says then point them upstream support them and they'll go when they are ready. Bill
harry chubb	Re: What is the best way to revive a barbel?	#5	[-]
Posts: 539 (29/07/07 16:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I,m not portraying myself as an expert but I have always found if possible getting them facing the current the most important factor.On the Ouse for the last few seasons there was practically no near bank flow so before catching i,d find a nearby spot where I could hold the fish into a flow.Usually after 3-5 mins there gills would be moving and once the fin starts lifting you could be sure they would be allright.Mind you it can take 30mins for a biggish barbel to fully revive in those conditions.This season is a different ball game and great care needs to be taken you have a good foothold when holding your L/net+barbel into a swollen river,Again once they seem to try and kick in the current and the fin is proud they should be ready.There lips should always be moving in a gulping fashion and any air release is a good sign. I always give them the benefit and will never release from the net till I,m 100%.It is a good idea to lift back on bank and check the fish if unsure.Before dark I always mark a good vantage point for release as holding it in the net after a tricky land is not always an option. The less time a fish is on the bank the quicker it will revive so once again make sure weighing gear + camera are at hand.Regards Harry.
Avon Calling	Revive	#6	[-]
Posts: 316 (29/07/07 22:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Personally I never move fish back and forwards in the current to "get the gills working". I don't think it's natural and I'm not sure fish appreciate it. This is just my own opinion and is not based on any scientific fact or anything. For a barbel I keep them in the net after the fight for a bit and then get all the weighing etc done on the bank. I then slip them back into the net so I don't drop them and hold them in the current in the net. If possible I will then lower the net and hold the tail before they surge away. I do a lot of pike fishing and always prefer just to hold their tail until they're a ready. Normally means a good soaking as their tail splashes when they power off but it's all part of the fun. I have a big unhooking mat that I can open and close. This can act as a carry case for big pike and I put both this and the fish into the water.
Weelo	Re: Revive	#7	[-]
Posts: 237 (29/07/07 23:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hello all, Not wanting to detract from some good pointers here. I have found that recovery time is directly compounded by the time that barbel are out of the water, even for the smallest of durations. So in general & when appropriately experienced, use barbless hooks, unhook & appreciate the barbel in the landing net (all in the water) letting it rest with its head pointing into the flow. For the experienced, I feel there is absolutely no need to take barbel out of water unless one is weighing (i.e. it is worth weighing), photographing or in absolutely exceptional circumstances treating (any) injured fish where necessary. Rivers, unlike lakes have a flow of constantly fresh water passing by which I think negates the need to pull a fish backwards as there are fewer pockets of stagnant water. Possibly this practice originates mainly from still waters as there is no flow so one thinks they have to pull it back & forth because of limited swim space. I wrote a reply to this effect last year. When I observe barbs recovering one can see them expelling air from their gills. Initially, they will gulp water, 10-15s later they expel larger bubbles, then gulp water, 15s later even smaller bubbles and again a little later. Then they want to kick, but they are not to be released here. Leave to see them expel really fine bubbles with them then only breathing out water. The strength returning to the fish can be felt at this point. Hope this helps, Jon
Oaksey	Re: Revive	#8	[-]
Posts: 1740 (30/07/07 05:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have heard about this before and am aware that moving fishing back and forth can cause problems. How true this is, is another matter. I think Rob's got it spot on. If you rest the fish in the landing net for a few minutes when first landed, their recovery time is definately shortened. As said, make sure everything is to hand ready to weigh or photograph the fish. I tend to keep the fish in the keepnet for a few minutes after I think they are strong enough to go back, just to make sure. If you own a decent landing net, this helps to support the fish upright and in the direction of the flow. Always check the gills. If they are opening quite wide and in a rythmical pattern, then they have regained their strength.
dr barbus	Also	#9	[-]
Posts: 1567 (30/07/07 11:45) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	While on the subject of Barbel welfare once caught, I recommend the use of Kyston Klinic or similar for application to hook holds, sores, fungal growths and any external abrasion marks Also give them a quick check for any parasites (leaches etc), remove and apply same medication. I try and convince ALL my local Barbel that a quick visit to the good Doctor is vital!
TemeLAD	Re: Also	#10	[-]
Posts: 245 (30/07/07 18:57) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Dr B Well said that man! With a bankside manner like that - those barbel will be throwing themselves at your hook! Cheers Les "Politness costs nothing. Nothing, that is, to him that shows it, but often costs the world very dear" William Allingham, poet 1824-1889
Si705	Re: Also	#11	[-]
Posts: 218 (30/07/07 19:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If I can get down into the water then I always will to release a barbel.In addition to all the above,I sometimes,(if I'm able)Splash the water directly in front of the fish with my hand.Here's my theory....This splashing reoxygenates the water in front of the fish which then passes over its gills.The fish don't seem to mind or be bothered by it and it does seem to work rather well....Anyone else do this,or am I the only one?? I'd be interested to know..... Tight Lines,All.... Simon

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Yuku free message boards

What is the best way to revive a barbel?

What is the best way to revive a barbel?

Quick Reply