Press Room

Stop Killing Fish You Release!

I fish…allot! I catch and release a lot of fish. I also realize that some of the fish I release are not going to survive because they have been handled too roughly during the hook removal process or have simply been hooked to deeply and the damage resulting from hook removal or even leaving the hook in them will, most likely, be fatal. It bothers me as I know it does other conservation-minded anglers.

Then I met Shawn and Kristen at Aquatic Release Conservation and was introduced to the ARC Dehooker, a remarkably simple tool that took years to develop and refine. I got a set and familiarized myself with how they work and have been amazed at how effective they are for removing hooks from all kinds of fish, even hooks that are deep inside a fish’s mouth, throat or stomach. Over the past three months I have used the various size Dehookers on striped bass, bluefish, yellowfin tuna, school bluefin tuna, sharks, marlin and even flyrod caught rainbow trout and I am telling you that every angler should be using these incredible tools.

Stop killing fish you release. With the ARC Dehooker and just a little practice you will gain a sense of pride that comes with releasing your fish knowing that you have given them the absolute best chance at surviving the encounter, while doing your part to reduce catch and release mortality. It’s that simple.

Gary Caputi
Outdoor Writer
RFA Member