How to use a descending tool for releasing fish in deep water.

I’m demonstrating releasing fish in deep water with a descending tool works for todays video. It’s mandatory in Florida for releasing fish caught in deep water that are undersized, such a mutton snapper. I know that most won’t take the time to send perch back to 60 feet but if you catch a big walleye and don’t want to clean it, this is the way to make sure it will live to spawn again.

[@nsequenzia]

Looks like it works great! thanks for sharing

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@Ahanley]

Awesome!!

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks!

[@madisonsequenzia5672]

Cool gadget!

[@JimHanleyfishing]

The fish love it! Second chance at life

[@ScooterSWNY]

thats brilliant

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks

[@Ahanley]

Cool!!

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks

[@benmadderom2281]

What if something eats him while he's descending? Kinda looks like a fancy way to catch something bigger. ;)
Interesting video!! Fishing all my life in Florida, (inland/coastal) and never seen one of those, or heard of that.

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks for watching. In Lake Erie that would be very rare for something bigger to eat it but an easy meal in the Atlantic.
myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/gear-rules/. It’s a new law and as a captain in Florida waters in the winter, I have to make sure I have one aboard.

[@benmadderom2281]

@@JimHanleyfishing Yeah, that's what I was thinking.... Drop a stunned, injured or slower fish over the side in the ocean/Gulf, and the chances of it making it to the bottom seem slim in many cases. A goliath grouper, barracudas, sharks, or anything at all bigger will just treat it like a free lunch. "Laws!" I wonder what environmental genius came up with a law like that. Sounds good in theory, but in practice seems to fall a little flat.

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Yep. I agree but when they have a law on the books, as a captain, I must comply. It’s great here on the Great Lakes as we catch a lot of fish in 30 to 90 feet and if you hold them out of the water for a length of time the swim bladder distends and they cannot be released, as they simply float. This tool takes them back to the “atmosphere” where they were caught releasing the air in the swim bladder. Thanks again for watching

[@benmadderom2281]

@@JimHanleyfishing I know, Brother. I was just saying that because you mentioned it being law in Florida on the East Coast. Being used to absurd laws here in Florida, I was just pointing out how sometimes laws are better in theory than in practice.

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Amen to that

[@chrishanley5889]

That’s crazy

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Works in both salt and fresh water

[@MaksNash-lh1zu]

What are bass biting on this time of year on Lake Erie

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Thanks for watching. They just switched over from shiners to crawfish. That usually happens when the water temp reaches about 70.