Thread: Air bladders

30 feet is not quite one atmosphere of pressure that should not effect em. the way to know if the have too much air is when you release em they will turn upside down or sideways because of all the air in there. ive caught em up to 40 feet before and as long as you dont just yank em all the way the top they'll be fine.

I would fizz em and put in livewell or bucket for a bit to regain some oxygen and stamina. Then let em go if all is well. If they are bloated up and dont fizz em chances are slim on their own.

I've not had much trouble with them not making it back down. If they aren't making it down you could rig a rod with a little weight- probably wouldn't take a lot and mash the barb on a hook and place it somewhere in the fish where the hook would pull out with a big yank and send them back down.

I think most of the floaters I see by the 64 bridge on Jordan this time of year are the product of deep hooking as they often bite lightly and folks may not be feeling it and thus allowing them to swallow the rig. Happens to everyone but seems more prevalent in winter.

When the bite is very light I use #2 circle hooks. No problem with deep hook-up.

Originally Posted by todobien

I think most of the floaters I see by the 64 bridge on Jordan this time of year are the product of deep hooking as they often bite lightly and folks may not be feeling it and thus allowing them to swallow the rig. Happens to everyone but seems more prevalent in winter.

Originally Posted by todobien

I think most of the floaters I see by the 64 bridge on Jordan this time of year are the product of deep hooking as they often bite lightly and folks may not be feeling it and thus allowing them to swallow the rig. Happens to everyone but seems more prevalent in winter.

There should be a one pole limit and you should hold it. Guys fishing 4 or 6 rods with minnows miss a lot of hits and the fish swallow the bait. Keep the rod in your hand and set the hook when they hit and you will have very few deep hooks, which will kill the fish.

I've saw it all when it comes to deep water crappie. I've saw them float, go back deep like it was nothing. I have fizzed fish and it worked and I have killed them, it seems to depend on where you insert the needle. I think if you keep the water in the livewell full you may have a better chance of them staying alive but you just have to work with it. Does anybody have a video of how to fizz crappie? That may help.

Originally Posted by SEA DANCER

I have a question about deep water crappie fishing and air bladders. When you catch a crappie from 30 plus feet deep it comes up with its belly swelled up like it is ready to burst.
If released will it make it or will it swim off and die?

Ironically I was just watching a you tube video on winter crappie fishing and the gentlemen began discussing the swim bladder issue. Here is a link to the video stat a 6:00 mark.

https://youtu.be/UTD8hiuPS0s

Thought I would supply the visual proof. Just in case the ink doesn't work, what was said was that slapping the fish against the water allows the air bubble that is stuck inside of them to pass and then they are good to go!