You can not keep a short fish for any reason. If you pull a fish from deep water and it doesn’t want to swim down, it is because it’s swim bladder is full of air. You can read about several techniques on line about this topic and can even find some YouTube videos. The most common technique is “fizzing” the fish. This technique involves sticking a needle through the side of the fish into its swim bladder to relieve the pressure. This is hard to explain in words but fairly easy to understand by watching videos. All of the AGFC offices with fish biologists should have the proper needles on hand. We have a box at the Mayflower Office that we give to anglers who request them. The important part about fizzing fish, is that you do it properly to avoid other important organs. It won’t do the fish any good if you stick a needle though a vital organ. Look for videos that show how to use this technique through the side of the fish and not the throat. If the local office in NWA does have any needles on hand and you want some, let me know and I will send you a few. Thanks.

Matt


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