Saved a Redfish

[gofastsandman]

As we fished the entrance to the St Johns River, we watched a redfish float by us on the surface struggling to swim. When we went over and checked her out we found her air bladder blown up - she was belly up and could not get right in the water. Someone brought her up before her bladder could adjust and then released her. We took her on board, snapped this picture and then vented her air bladder. A few minutes of reviving in the water and she kicked and swam off! Quite a fish - we estimated at well over 30 pounds.

Well done Ron.
I have been venting fish for a decade or so.

I got checked for a proper tool last year. I said I always did it with a riggin` needle. He said it wasn`t a proper tool. I said a tool is a tool{tongue in cheek}.

He was ready to write me when I offered a challenge. Told him I bet he could not vent a fish and gave him a Mutton from the box. He promptly laid down the Pec fin and used his "tool" at the trailing edge. Wrong! I asked for the fish back and used my "tool" at a very acute angle just behind the gill plate and pop/whoosh. I asked if they heard the whoosh and they nodded. If you don`t vent the fish, it has little chance. Sani wipes are a good idea, if your "tool" isn`t hollow.

Cheers,
GFS