Critical to a healthy release is an efficient fight. If a fish hesitates to swim away quickly once unhooked, resuscitation is in order. The simple cure for an exhausted fish is to provide it as much oxygen as quickly as possible so it regains its strength. After unhooking, position the fish so a steady flow of water passes through the mouth and across the gills. With small fish, this might only require moving the fish back and forth in the water. With larger game, place the boat in idle and hold the fish upright, facing forward, until it regains its vigor. Don’t release a fish until it’s ready to swim off. It will let you know when it’s time.
