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Basically, the experts remind us that using inadequate tackle or too-light tackle extends a fish fight & can increase mortality rates. Over time & under stress, billfish suffer from the known facts of lactic acid and carbon-dioxide build-up, which can prove fatal. Longer fights can also make billfish more susceptible to predators after they’ve been released.

Without a doubt, hauling a Sailfish onboard can damage the fish, & more often than not way too much time is taken to satisfy the many cameras onboard wielded by over zealous anglers. A common-sense approach should be taken and a single camera or two used to avoid subjecting the fish to longer stress. Always have your video or camera ready. If you want your mate to take shots for you, be sure he/she knows how to operate your cam. Releasing the fish safely and quickly is the first priority and will take precedence over photos.

Stress is further increased with a fish that’s thrashing & rubbing off its layer of acidic slime which protects it from parasites. Importantly, larger fish are very likely to sustain internal-organ & skeletal damage from gravity when their weight is no longer supported by the water. Hence, ensure the fish is fully supported by a few persons especially the mid-section if you’re going to haul it onboard for a quick photo. An in-water release should always be encouraged for subsequent Sails capture as there’s no sense in hauling in every Sail for a pic.

It’s not just about being a good angler, but also a responsible angler to prevent fish succumbing to unnecessary stress & exhaustion. Bluesails Sportfishing has a policy that in the event that a billfish is declared DOA, it will still be released back into the sea after every effort is made to revive it. We have a strict dead or alive release policy because we strongly believe that it is sacrilegious to even contemplate eating a Sailfish or Marlin. The past many seasons have shown that accidental or unfortunate incidents do result in Sailfish mortality even after every care is taken.

Not all circle hooks are created equal, with several brands available. There has been strong scientific evidence that mortality rates are lower with fish caught on & released on circle hooks in conjunction with live or dead-bait fishing. The circle hook of choice should be as circular as possible with no off-set configuration. Circle hooks with no off-set configuration have long tips that point back perpendicular toward the shank, and almost always end up snug in the hinge or corner of the jaw, making for a clean, easy release. So a perfect hook-set would be a hook that catches the upper or lower jaw, slides into the corner & becomes impaled in the hinge of the jaw. Researchers have shown that fish hooked deeper than the corner of the mouth will most likely die. Circle hooks which are not off-set will minimize, not only gut-hooking fish but foul-hooking as well.

For the fish’s sake the sooner the hook’s out safely & the fish is released, the better.

ON TAGGING

Generally, the idea behind tagging billfish is to release a healthy fish back into the sea so that its movements & growth can be tracked if it is ever recaptured. However, that won’t happen if you overtire or fatally injure a fish while trying to place a tag. We feel that many tag stick applicators have needles that are longer than necessary. From past observation, a long needle can penetrate almost through to the other side of a small Sail or Marlin. Hence, Bluesails Sportfishing has long adopted a policy of not tagging the fish as we suspect that the current standardised tags in use do more harm than good. We may be prepared to reconsider if more appropriate tags become available to suit smaller billfish species. In general, we believe more in releasing the fish healthy in its natural state.
           
We are indeed grateful for the close proximity & abundance of Sailers as well as bait in these waters. We do not want to take these blessings for granted & will do our part to release even the remaining baitfish at the end of the day so that future generations of anglers will still be able to enjoy the art & sport of billfishing!