MARCH 2015 • NEBRASKAland 31
some practice to tell the difference between a fish striking
and your hook catching on snags or the movements of water
current.
Reeling in Fish
To reel in panfish, keep your rod toward the fish at all
times with the tip up at a 45 degree angle. Panfish are
relatively simple to reel in, there aren't too many tricks.
Bigger fish, however, pull harder and are tougher to reel
in. When you have hooked a large fish that wants to swim
away, let it swim and allow the drag to tire out the fish.
Keep your rod tip pointed up at 45 degrees until the drag
stops buzzing, indicating that the fish has stopped and the
time for you to work. Pull your rod back toward 90 degrees
or vertical without moving the handle, although the tip will
be bent with the weight of the fish. Then reel in as you move
your rod back toward 45 degrees, keeping the line taut the
entire time. Repeat this process to get the fish in closer. If
the fish wants to swim, allow it to swim. But once it stops,
reel in again with the pump and reeling motion as before.
Don't let the fish rest – the point is to tire it out.
Landing a Fish
Once you have the fish reeled in, proper care must be
taken to avoid injuries to you, others and the fish, especially
if practicing catch and release. For panfish and other small
fish, carefully lift up the fish by hand or with a landing net.
Gently, but firmly, hold the fish around the belly to remove
the hook from its mouth with pliers. In all the excitement,
be careful not to hook yourself or others. Place fish on a
stringer or in a cooler if you plan to keep your catch, or
immediately return the fish back into the water.
A landing net is highly recommended for removing catfish
from the water. Catfish have sharp spines on their dorsal and
pectoral fins that can puncture your skin, which will cause
swelling and irritation.
Taking a Bag Shot
Holding a fish for a photograph differs for each species of
fish, but there are some general rules. Don't put your hand in
a northern pike, walleye or catfish's mouth, but feel free to
hold a largemouth bass, sunfish or white bass by its lip.
Regardless of fish species, try to support the weight of the
fish when handling it by placing one hand beneath its belly
and make sure you do the one thing that too many anglers fail
to do when having their picture taken with their fish: smile.
Justin Harms from South Dakota poses with a channel catfish at Keller State Recreation Area near Ainsworth.
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