Releasing Deep Water Rocks

How do you guys release your deepwater rockfish after decompression? On a powerboat I use a crate but do not have that kind of space on a kayak.

I like the SFD.  It's small so it doesn't take up much valuable space on the kayak and it is simple to use.  Many people take the concept and make their own.  They also work well on Lake Trout.

www.sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html

I used an SFD until I lost it.  Last time out Craig and I used an upside down barbless hook.  This worked ok, but a few fish were accidentally released a bit early and had to be sent down again.   Word of advice don't use tons of weight because when you jerk the descender out of the fish it puts a lot of stress on the rod. 

I like the SFD. . . . They also work well on Lake Trout.

What?! People release lake trout?  Out here in Montana, we're trying to reduce lake trout populations.  We release lake trout into our freezers.

The upside down barbless works well but 80% of the time I just hook the fish with my main gear and send them back down. Some times more weight is needed but not often. I try to hook just the thinnest pieces of lip or skin so that when the fish kicks it unhooks its self. Works pretty good.

I like the SFD. . . . They also work well on Lake Trout.

What?! People release lake trout?  Out here in Montana, we're trying to reduce lake trout populations.  We release lake trout into our freezers.

In the Oregon lakes I fish the Lakers seem to be in good balance with their prey.  It's hard to catch 30lbers if you don't let the 20s go.

If I was fishing Yellowstone Lake, Flathead or Lake Chelan I'd probably keep them.

Turning this back to the SFD, I find some small diameter shock cord between the weight and SFD helps with the release.

This past spring at the Saltwater Sportsman Show, the Oregon Coalition for the Education of Anglers had a rockfish release device that was a plastic fish grips - one handle of the grip was attached to your main line, clamp grips closed on the lip of the fish (it has a cam over action so the grips can close and lightly lock), then a 3oz weight attached to the other handle of the grip.  Lower the fishgrips to depth with fish attached, give it a jerk...grips pop open, fish swims away...bring your "device" and lead back up.