Just wondering what the safest way in handling fish caught out deep.

Recently caught a big fish that Came from 21ft. Had to use 2 fin clips. One on each of the bottom front fins. Worked like a charm.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlife_Fin_Clips_3pk/descpage-FLFC.html

After a question to Todd Driscoll with TPWD Fisheries Biologist about fin weights, he said “They probably reduce a little stress, but fish really need to be fizzed to correct the air bladder overinflation.”

What’s the depth you need to worry about fizzing? >15?

15ft is about right to keep a closer eye on things
I’ve heard of people having to fizz a 10ft deep bass; but that has to be rare
If you immediately release, the lmb will usually just swim back down no problem
Now, if you rapidly bring them up from 35ft+ you will likely be fizzing
Fishing deeper than 30ft, I was taught to stage the return, bring them up 10 feet and let them tire themselves, bring up another 10ft and repeat. Instead of just wildly cranking them to the surface from 40fow.
Keeping her in the live well; definitely fizz if she isn’t swimming belly down vertical
Immediately releasing, clipping the lower lip with a marker buoy weight to help get her swimming back down is fine.

Fizz....I have a syringe in my boat just for this purpose.

I use fin clips. I make my own as well. Bought all the parts for about 30 bucks. They're cheaper than buying pre-made ones after you make a dozen or so.

I've had to do both. I fizz first, then clip if needed. Depth varies, but +15' is about right. I frequently check anything caught over 10'.

If you have weights bnb ig enough to keep them upright they will be okay. Thebeen issue is when theybstress themselves out trying to right themself in the livewell. If you can keep them upright the bladder will eventually deflate on its own.

I always try fin clips first, then fizz if necessary.

Thanks, CCTX and DS.

If a fish is caught on, say, a deep diving crank bait and swims down fine after release, is it safe to say fizzing wasn’t necessary? I’ve never had a fish float back up after catching in 15-19 feet, but I’ve also never fizzed a fish.

If you catch one in 20 ft and release it right of way, supposedly it's fine. If you catch one in 20 ft and keep it in the livewell for several hours with fin clips, then release it later, it's not fine. What's the difference?

Fun fishing no fizzing at all they will go back down and self regulate

Tournament...I'm fizzing

I've caught alot of fish in tournaments in the summer months from 15-30 ft. deep and I've never had to fizz or clip any of them.

I thought the argument was if you catch them deep, their air bladder expands and messes up their organs. So if you catch and release it, then it's doomed. If you put it in the livewell with fin clips, it's doomed.