Quote Originally Posted by ducksterman
Teeg,
Or anyone,
You didn't mention the length of a fight and mortality....does it matter or if given time can the fish recover [like we do when we are exhausted?]

I have an argument with a friend on this...Does it do any good to hold the fish ...move them in the water...wait till they can swim away on their own?????...my friend maintains you can immediately release them and they will recover [if they can] and eventually swim away on their own....even if they are belly up?????
I can't quote for every species, but it's the position of the Atlantic Salmon Federation and many other government and non-government groups, that Atlantic Salmon should be fought for no more than 1 minute per pound if C&R is the goal. I would imagine it would be the same for most other species, but again, I can't say for sure.