Gentlemen, I have heard that handling a big fish by the lip and hanging them by their entire body weight can be potentially damaging to the vertebrate near the head. Anyone have any insight into this? I have caught about 15 fish +40 pounds and have begun supporting all fish under their belly. Also trying to keep in mind that for CPR fish, I don't keep them in the boat longer than I can hold my breath under water. I feel this is a more responsible method of handling the big fish I hope to catch again someday!!Just a rookie from Nebraska who has the Catfish fever! Take care, God bless, and good fishing!!

I am not sure about any support needed but I know a catfish can hold there breathe a long time. You have time to take a few pics and get some measurements and still safely return them to the water.

If you catch a huge cat 50 pounds or better,and you plan on releasing it. Don't just stick a scale through its lip and hang it up and weigh it. The best thing to do is to leave it in the net so its body weight is more evenly displaced,and hook your scale to the rung on the net and weigh it.

def weighing them in the net is helpful. keeping them out of the water for extended periods of time I have found is not good. We landed a triple not long ago and had one fish out of the water way longer than I wanted to. The fish almost didn't live. I've also noticed on sunny warm days, release them quick. They don't do well out of the water in direct sunlight.

I know a few guys that don't bring a large fish in the boat until after the hook is removed. They keep the fish in the net, in the water and then quickly let their customer get a pic w/ the fish and back in the water it goes.

I say, anything you can conciously do to help a fish survive is good.

http://renegadetackle.com/?product=fish-weigh-sling


that is a great way to weigh fish properly and without worrying about anything plus makes it easier to release em soon as they get more in stock i'm getting a few

Some hard core Carp guys have a hamak looking thing they lay the fish in with eyes on each end to hook the scale to. Some of them handle the carp so delicately you'd think it was their new born baby.

You would be hard pressed to find any factual evidence that weighing a catfish by the lip is damaging it. There is a lot of speculation but no true evidence to support that. Now that being said if you string me up by my lip and hung me there I would be mad as a hornet.

I think this subject is getting over thought a little these days and the sling thing is getting way out of hand. That's someone looking for a product to sell at it's finest. Next thing we know someone will be peddling those little blow up carp mats.

Land the fish, handle it with care and don't throw it around, weigh it in the net, keep it out of water the minimal amount possible and move on.

Catfish are pretty hearty and a little common sense will go a long way.

[q uote=ChuckP] I know a catfish can hold there breathe a long time. [/quote]

The 47# Chad caught Saturday was pissed about bring weighed!!! He liked to have ripped my fingers offf and did get half the hide when I let him loose!!! I believe he was plenty healthy when we let him go.

Well, I will weigh all cats worth bragging rights in a net..Much safer for the fish and myself. Catfish are very hearty fish, but they need water for oxygen as we need air to breathe. Thanks for all the info and responses..

Fish don't do a lot of breath holding, but as long as their gills are wet, especially catfish they can breath ok. That being said, don't take your time with them once their in your boat. It helps to go over in your head how you are going to handle the big ones if you have not got much experience with it. Some of this exp for me has been with gar, such things will run through your head as

"Now I have this thing in the boat, what next?"
"How should I pose this thing for pics?"
"Did should I get the hook out before or after fish in boat?"
"Did I leave the coffee pot on at home?"

You get the idea. Know what your gonna do and then do it.

Make sure you keep their eyes wet because you can blind them if they get to dry.

Thanks for the NONSENSE Bluecat 81.

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Srry blue thought your being sarcastic.. Hadn't heard that before.