How Do You Release a Fish Caught on a Soft Plastic Lure?

Soft plastics and release go together

Much of American bass fishing is catch-and-release by culture, and soft plastic anglers release most of what they catch. The good news: released fish generally survive when handled well, and the technique is simple. This page follows NOAA Fisheries' catch-and-release best practices, the federal reference on the subject.

Before the fish bites

Release quality is mostly decided before the cast:

• Set the hook promptly. Deep hooking is the biggest threat to released fish. With soft plastics, fish sometimes hold the bait; when you feel a bite, do not let the fish 'eat it a while' — reel down and set. Take Me Fishing's hook-setting fundamentals cover the mechanics.
• Consider pinching barbs. NOAA notes barbless hooks make unhooking faster and easier; a pair of pliers converts any hook in seconds. See the hook guide for style choices.
• Use tackle heavy enough to land fish quickly. A long, exhausting fight on undersized gear stresses fish. Matching rod and line to the target species means shorter fights and stronger releases.

Landing and handling

• Minimize air exposure. Unhook fish in the water when practical; when you must lift a fish, keep it brief.
• Wet your hands first. Fish carry a protective slime layer; dry hands and dry surfaces damage it.
• Support the fish horizontally. For bass-sized fish, one hand on the lower jaw and one under the belly. Avoid holding a heavy fish by the jaw alone at an angle.
• Keep fingers away from the gills and eyes. These are the fragile parts.
• Use pliers or a hook remover. Faster and cleaner than fingers, especially with a Texas-rigged hook that has come through the plastic.

If the fish is hooked deep

Per NOAA's guidance, a deeply hooked fish is often better served by cutting the line close to the hook and releasing the fish than by prolonged digging, which does more damage than the hook itself. This is another argument for prompt hook sets and appropriately sized hooks.

The release itself

Place the fish in the water facing into any current and let it swim off under its own power. A fish that rolls or struggles can be held gently upright in the water until it stabilizes. Do not throw fish.

The whole-system view

Good release technique is one leg of soft plastic stewardship, alongside keeping torn baits out of the water — since research shows bass ingest lost plastics — and choosing lead-free weights. Each habit costs seconds; together they are what catch-and-release is supposed to mean.