Capture Efficiencies of Two Hook Types and Associated Injury and Mortality of Juvenile Muskellunge Angled with Live Baitfish

Abstract

Abstract.-Strict harvest regulations and a strong catchand-release ethic among recreational anglers of muskellunge Esox masquinongy have led to interest in developing strategies for reducing injury and mortality of released fish. With many anglers using live baitfish to capture muskellunge, the use of circle hooks may reduce deep hooking and hence mortality. We contrasted the performance of circle hooks and J-style aberdeen hooks when capturing juvenile muskellunge with actively fished live baitfish. The J hooks performed better than circle hooks in terms of capture efficiency. The J hooks were more efficient at hooking muskellunge than were circle hooks, but landing efficiency was similar between the two types. Interestingly, injury was judged to be low regardless of hook type. Neither anatomical hooking location nor hooking depth differed significantly between fish captured on J and circle hooks. No fish were hooked in potentially lethal locations (e.g., gullet or eye) during the use of either hook type. Ease of hook removal did not differ between hook types, and hooks were generally categorized as easy to remove. Bleeding was considered minor and did not differ between hooks. We observed no initial or delayed mortality for fish captured on J or circle hooks. Given that J hooks have a higher muskellunge capture efficiency and that the use of circle hooks did not provide any compelling conservation benefits, anglers will probably continue to use J hooks and avoid circle hooks. Nonetheless, use of circle hooks could be advantageous for other fishing styles (e.g., still fishing, where baitfish are often swallowed), other species, or different sizes of muskellunge.

Performance of circle hooks in a mixed-species recreational fishery

“…These results have been widely reported in the literature and have been proposed as the main injury caused by the deep‐hooking location (Bartholomew and Bohnsack, 2005; Cooke et al., 2006). Finally, differences in unhooking time between hook types were not observed compared to some studies that reported an increase in unhooking time with the use of circle hooks and, consequently, an increase in the stress levels of the caught and released fish (Ostrand et al., 2006).…”

“…In contrast, a reduction in deep‐hooking incidence using circle hooks is not conclusive for freshwater fisheries. Some studies have shown a reduction in deep‐hooking with this hook type (Cooke et al., 2003a), while others have not (Cooke et al., 2003b; Jones, 2005; Ostrand et al., 2006). In this study, only S. scriba did not exhibit a reduction in deep‐hooking occurrence.…”

“…These results can be used for management agencies, scientists, and anglers who choose to follow guidelines aiding in conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea. Future research should focus on the combination of this hook type with different factors that affect the incidence of deep‐hooking, such as hook size (Cooke et al., 2005), leader longitude and fixed leads (Beckwith and Rand, 2005), off‐set circle hooks (Ostrand et al., 2006), angling technique and bait size (Grixti et al., 2007), and bait type (Arlinghaus et al., 2008).…”

“…Promotion of this gear in our fishery would be easily attainable if catch rates were similar or increased as compared to conventional hooks, as the circle hook is rarely used by local anglers, particularly in tournaments. The impact of the circle hook on CPUE is controversial; some investigations have indicated a reduced landing efficiency as opposed to the conventional hook types (Jones, 2005; Ostrand et al., 2006). However, other studies have shown that circle hooks not only maintain but further increase the CPUE for some species (Prince et al., 2002; Skomal et al., 2002).…”

Injuries and deformities in fish: their potential impacts upon aquacultural production and welfare

“…At worst, most consider injuries to the eyes as potentially lethal (Ostrand et al 2006). At best, defective eyes or visual impairment can decrease feeding ability and reduce avoidance behaviour as fish are not able to discern the exact location of their target, whether it be a pellet of food or avoiding a dip-net (Thatcher 1979;Mesa et al 1994).…”