Tips for holding the variety of species caught on the French…

Most anglers have seen the best way to hold a bass; largemouth or smallmouth, as well as crappies and bluegills (as long as your thumb is small enough), can be “lipped” by inserting your thumb in the fish’s mouth and latching onto the outside with your remaining fingers.

Rock Bass are an exception, though. Lip locks tend to cause them to gyrate; better to hold them up-side down in the palm of your hand (after you fold the spiny dorsal fin back!). This method works well on White Bass, too.

Did you know that you can also cup a fish under its belly and it’ll calm right down? Walleyes are especially receptive to this technique - they usually raise their dorsal fin for an even better picture.

Pike, Musky, and Walleye can be held (with practice) by the jaw. Slide your index and middle finger under the gill plate close to the mouth, but don’t reach in too far and grab the gill rakers, as this can kill the animal. You can feel for the jaw bone and grip the fish accordingly. It’s also a good idea to support bigger fish with your opposite hand.

If you're not comfortable with the jaw-hold, try 'cradling' the fish by holding onto the tail and supporting the forward section with your other hand.

There are a variety of opinions against suspending fish vertically, but catch-and-release studies suggest the tactic is not necessarily detrimental to the fish.

The “gill pinch” should be avoided, while the old-fashioned “eye-socket” hold, practiced in the ‘70s, should never be used if the fish is intended to be released.

Catch-and-release has proven to result in an improved fishery for all game species. Proper landing and holding techniques are essential to a quality release:

(don't forget to get a good picture and send it to Mike so it can be posted here).