Have you ever been lifted off the ground

…by your lower jaw?

The classic hold of a flathead is the two hands in the mouth hold. Why is that?

Thinking about the fish…it’s like what the cowboys did to cattle rustlers back in the 1800’s.

I remember my first flathead like it was yesterday. The largest fish I ever caught at the time…a monster at 15 lbs. I proudly held it by the gill plates as it made a tail flip and hit the floor. The fella that was with me said “hold it by the mouth”…and I though…are you nuts? I’m not putting my hand in there!!!

I would bet that most folks that hold their “big” cats by the mouth or the gill plates are like me…never gave a thought to the fish. Can’t blame them, since I’m guilty too.

Sliding your weak hand under the belly of the cat takes so much weight off of the jaw joints and the spinal coulum that it’s amazing when a person thinks about it.

Yeah, keeping the fish in the water is the best thing..but is it going to happen. I think not. But the next time a biggun is landed in your boat, please think about supporting it’s mid section. IMO it takes a better picture AND more importantly, it does the fish better.

Now…where are the big one’s bitting…I need a fix!!

Good tip Brian. I agree its better for the fish and its also more comfortable for the fisherman to hold them that way. Oh yeah, where are the big ones biting? Before we know it we’ll be dreaming about open water. Time to make that last call.

I think Catdad gave me that advise years back and I’ve been supporting the big guys like that ever since – its just better for the fish. A couple more tips – have your camera ready and get the photos done quickly. I’ve seen many shots of flatheads with their tails hanging straight down and there slime coat dried up. Both are indicators that the fish has been out of the water way too long. A fresh flathead will almost always curl its tail nicely for your photo. A pooped out flathead will almost always hang its tail straight. Pics of flats with their slime fresh and shiny also look much better than with a dull, dry slime coat. Keep a small bucket handy and pour some water over them while they’re in the boat if needed, but if you get things done fast thats usually not needed.

Actually I was looking for your thread Dirk. There was a real in depth conversation about holding fish a few years ago…but I can’t locate it.

The DNR uses a wet towel while tagging sturgeon. That should help too.

If your going to keep the fish out of the water for any period of time. More than 1.5 to 2 minutes You should be putting the fish back in the water for at least that amount of time. (Holding onto the fish of course.) Then continue with your photo ops. Following that cycle….It’s one more way to keep the fish from stressing out. And you will notice that the fish will revive a lot quicker.

Hey Brian, like this? Also another thing I’ll do almost as a gut reaction to a nice fish: After getting the hook out I wet my duck decoy bag, put the fish in there, and get it back in the water in about a minute flat! That way I can catch my breath, get the camera and/or scale ready, and it’s a nice way to weight the fish (when it’s in the bag). Always had a lively fish after doing this.

That’s a good Idea!! I’m gonna have to do that too now!!

Quote:

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: After getting the hook out I wet my duck decoy bag, put the fish in there, and get it back in the water in about a minute flat! That way I can catch my breath, get the camera and/or scale ready, and it’s a nice way to weight the fish (when it’s in the bag). Always had a lively fish after doing this.

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I’m guilty of holding many big fish wrong,it’s how I was tought and old habits are hard to brake but am getting better at it.Thanks for the reminder

A couple thoughts. How about spreading that belly support out over as much area as possible and, like Rollin is doing, holding it near it’s rear? Most of the vital organs are in the forward part of the cavity, so holding them near the rear might help protect the vitals? And if you can also rest the fish on your palm and part of your forearm, you’re spreading that pressure out.

That’s a good question mplspug. In my pics from last night I noticed I had one hand by the tail and the other more up in front. I don’t know what way is better to hold it. I know I would have put both hands in the mouth and suspended it if I didn’t read this thread..

Also the duck decoy bag seemed to help. I left it in there to recover for awhile after the fight. Then, when I went to revive it instead it just gave me a kick and was off. I remember in the past having to revive 40 pound flatheads and this 52 pounder didn’t even require it. Must be doing something right!

I bet you needed a minute to catch your breath!

I didn’t post this to point fingers as I would be pointing at myself first.

Small fish like you catch Stuart are not a problem or a concern.

Thanks Brian I feel better now.

Paybacks buddy…paybacks!

I was guilty for many years of hoisting flatheads by the lower jaw.. especially when landing fishin the boat with no net!

It wasnt a concious thought, but eventually I got into the habit of holding the large fish by the jaw and belly for photos.. the reason being is… have you ever tried holding up a 50″ flathead by the jaw for a photo? It isnt happening unless your the HULK. Its comparable to holding a large marine battery in extended arms directly in front of your face. Your eyes will pop out of your head before you get a good picture.

Its so much easier to grab the fish by the jaw, and slide your other hand under the belly and lift/cradle it. Easier on us, and way better for the fish.