Hi all, I know C&R methods have been discussed quite a bit on the forum but I've only seen an unhooking mat mentioned a couple of times.

I'm just wondering whether these are good for trout C&R as they seem to be sold as a coarse fishing product. Do any of you use them?

I use crushed barb hooks (and soon to start buying barbless hooks because I don't 100% trust crushed barbs) but struggle with releasing fish in the water so generally net them and release them on the bank then back into the water as quickly as possible. They all swim away but I've been reading about the damage it can cause if they flap about on the bank (grass in my case).

Would an unhooking mat do the trick or should I spend the money on a Ketchum type product instead and learn how to release fish whilst still in the water? An unhooking mat would obviously cause less damage than the grassy bank but would it still remove protective slime etc..?

I'm fairly new to the sport and want to be a responsible angler but worry that I'm harming fish by using my current method.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie

I always unhook C&R trout in the net, or in the water without netting.

I've not yet encountered a trout venue where they have needed to be lifted to access them (unlike venues I might fish for chub where I do carry an unhooking mat)

That's a very good point. Most controlled pike waters wouldn't let you set your rod up if you didn't have proper tackle including mat and disgorgers. Nah, shhhhhh!! I like to travel light when I'm on the fly.

Absolutely admirable post, my compliments sir. There's too many hunter gatherers without regard for their quarry out there. Your unhooking mat is something you should have with you just in case; you're obviously concerned enough to go to the bother.
Good man.

Agree... if you are unable to confidently release you fish while still in the water, then use a mat. It will cause less harm to the fish than the bank side. Of course it's always better to keep the fish in the water while releasing, but a good release mat is the next best thing.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll get a mat ordered ASAP in that case and use that until I can learn how to release them in the water

Thanks again, Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie

Laudable post and we should all strive to reduce stress suffered by caught fish. However - and this is going to get things going no doubt - I think that anglers should avoid becoming overly precious about it.

Sometimes it is necessary to place fish on the grass (in the net or not) to extract the hook etc. I have often found that this actually calms the fish as they stop thrashing around as they might when held or when they first encounter the net. Fish are hardier than many might think.

Please do not take this a cavalier approach to the issue. I just feel that we can sometimes over egg the pudding and worry about it too much, sometimes to the detriment of our own enjoyment. Having said that I aim to keep fish in the water where possible, take photos (when needed) quickly and responsibly, and release fish as smoothly and with as little stress to the fish as possible - as we all should in my view.

The answer to your question: if you are worried about it and/or personally feel better for using a landing mat then do so.

Unhooking mats are common on the Town water in Bakewell. The fish deserve them and the bank is all stone and tarmac.

I have a little trick that gives me a nice surface on which to lay the fish when I am walking miles and fishing from different surfaces.

It is explained here.

richard

---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 PM ----------

£6.95 inc. postage on eBay.

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

Spot on. I've watched trout in a burn chase each other around a pool hitting off rocks and sunken roots. And during spawning things get quite rough and injuries abound on fish, seen later with the saprolegnia fungus all over them.

Thanks for sharing your opinions guys and Richard for the link/eBay info.

I'll have a read through the page you linked to in the morning when I'm on my PC rather than the phone.

Cheers, Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie