Water temps?

[smlmike]

With the recent reports from people on the here and the guides around the lake, a lot of fish being caught, and with water temps now in the 80's, is catch and release still optimal?

[Gator]

Good question. Some say that the water temperature at lower levels are still cool enough to safely release fish. It's not something that I feel comfortable doing. I catch my limit and quit. I not saying its the right way; it's just what I do. I use a 70* threshold as my temperature to ensure that I'm not killing released fish. I've already changed my summer stradegies and won't get back on the stripers hard until Sept./Oct.

[smlmike]

So your saying if your pulling them from deeper/cooler water, survival % could be higher. And I realize size and weight, length of fight are other variables.

[Deleted]

 

       Right now some believe,  it hasn't been hot long enough for the surface water temp to be pushed down deep, thus the water is still much cooler around 20ft.... if you get then in quick and torpedo them back quick, odds are still pretty good..... what gator is saying is, he doesn't chance it, so he catches his limit and quits. .....  but honestly, SOME  doesn't rally know for sure, it's just his opinion......  

[primetime]

Along the lines of the wt's, did the temperature change quickly, and if so, doesn't that just freak the fish out?
I have been spoiled with the fall and spring fishing!

[Deleted]

 

    As of now, only the surface temp. changed quickly......   don't know if it freaks the fish out as much as it does the fishermen,     but they still gotta eat everyday.....

[Gator]

Jun 6, 2016 11:44:05 GMT -5 smlmike said:

So your saying if your pulling them from deeper/cooler water, survival % could be higher. And I realize size and weight, length of fight are other variables.

Not sayin that at all. I'm saying that I don't C&R when the WT is above 70*. 

This is a good read If you'd like more info.......


www.monmouth.edu/uploadedFiles/Content/University/about-monmouth/centers-of-distinction/urban-coast-institute/BestPracticesStriped%20BassCatchandReleaseReport.pdf

[mwardncsu]

thanks to a former Striper Club president and current member Joel J, we have water temperature across depths data across periods of a year. Don't have recent data from 2015 or much here in 2016, but below is data from 2013 when I compiled all the data he collected and turned it into an animated GIF to watch the change over time. I thought I had compiled this for 2014 as well - I believe we have most of the 2014 data - I'll try and look tonight to see if I do have a GIF for it or other years to compare - but you can see that in early summer the surface will jump up to high 70's or low 80's but 10-20' down the water will still be 70 or less - and in early summer that water is still well oxygenated (most of SML has good oxygenation most of the year, except in the upper river arms or some of the creeks).





For those that have not seen it - here is the chart on temperature related striper mortality that is often cited.... I am trying to get access to the specific study to understand the collection scenario - i.e. I am sure water temp is surface temp, but was this in shallow body of water where temp was more uniform, or a deep body of water like SML - is it 100% accurate on SML? Is SML different? Are our stripers different? Who knows - unlikely that different. What can be said is that the warmer the water, regardless of the DO, the higher stress and higher the mortality at some rate - at what rate is it too high to risk - I guess only each individual can make that determination.

[BentRod]

No one knows for absolute certain. I would caution using the argument that the water is cooler 15-20ft down - that's irrelevant if the fish is caught and pulled through warmer water - the warmer water doesn't kill the fish itself; the fight in warmer water does - if they come through warmer water, then they're impacted by it to some degree regardless of what temperature it is 20ft down.

Just watch your fish and compare how they release in December to how they release now - is there a difference? If so, then some percentage of mortality is occurring. Only the angler can make a call at that point on what they feel is right concerning summer catch and release.

[mwardncsu]

Jun 6, 2016 14:48:30 GMT -5 BentRod said:

I would caution using the argument that the water is cooler 15-20ft down - that's irrelevant if the fish is caught and pulled through warmer water - the warmer water doesn't kill the fish itself; the fight in warmer water does - if they come through warmer water, then they're impacted by it to some degree regardless of what temperature it is 20ft down.

Agree with this - sustained fights in the upper part of the water column are harmful in warm temps - umbrella rigs or other trolling lures specifically come to mind as the whole encounter happens there, but then to be fair, with live bait - light-lines, freelines, etc - the baits are typically running in the upper 20' as well, so really there probably is no difference there - make sure you have the tackle to get the fish in quickly and not fight it forever with light tackle if you're going to release.

I think the point regarding temps down a ways have to do with the fish being able to retreat to a water with sufficient O2 but cool enough temps to recover - release the lactic acid and revive - if they can't retreat to cooler water where they have sufficient O2 then it is very problematic - if they can they have a chance - but some still won't make it.

[Deleted]

   Bentrod, I take your words of caution to heart. I hope no one thinks I am making light of summertime mortality or encouraging release in the summer months.  I preach strongly against it...still think we got a couple weeks before we shut the door.

[Gator]

Been plenty of data collected on live bait vs artificial bait, single hook vs treble hook, etc. Many, many factors determine the outcome. Discussions like this are what make me a better fisherman....... Well? That and night fishing naked.

[Deleted]

Well,  I just cancelled my night vision Google's.  . 

[striperjohn]

Scary image!