These cats are tough critters. I think most cats can take a licking and come back no worries. I’ve seen spawning injuries that make a 10/0 look like nothing. some species of cats in Africa bury themselves in the mud and live for months dormant only to emerge in the rainy season. They would probably survive bullet holes IMHO.
The hook size relative to those bigger fish helps them survive too. A bleeding sunfish has little chance of surviving, but a cat, especially a big cat has a much lower mortality rate. Plus a flathead has a low metabolism and that helps too.
My guideline is if the fish is able to remain upright when you first put it in the water, she’ll be fine. If she’s struggling and tipping, I will nurse it for a while and make a call when I feel it is futile. Fortunately I have never had an issue yet with a cat, channel or flat. I’ve never had to keep one because it was a goner.
Here is what you should do as a last resort with a 40 pounder that you don’t think will live:
Put him on a stringer and check him in a half hour. You’ll probably have to fight him all over again to bring him in on the stringer, but that way you’ll know – he’s back.
(Edit): Don’t ever run the stringer through a fish’s gill plate – poke a hole near the center just behind the jaw. I know you hate that, but we’re talking about a fish you think is going to die anyway. If you have one of those cheap lame metal clip stringers, it will make a tiny hole, and the fish will pull itself off within minutes! Very noisy, though.
Bullet – what I was saying is that I wouldn’t eat a 40 pounder, not trying to imply anything at all about you. I’m not a fan of high mercury content – it’s been shown to have very negative effects upon the brain and central nervous system, and even correlated with lower IQs in the next generation among regular mercury-laced fish eaters.
No thanks!
The question of being able to keep a mortally wounded fish is exactly the same (except for the hardiness factor) as during catch and release tournaments of any kind, and for any fish with a size or slot limit. If you can catch a fish that isn’t legal to keep, there is a chance that you might mortally injure a fish you can’t keep. But if you CAN keep that fish, you may change your notion of what mortally injured looks like. I just think making it legal makes it right in too many people’s minds…
Just a little side note on the hardiness of Big Cats.
Last night I hooked a 22lb. My 10/0 Gamakatsu was down in his gullet with the bully tail sticking out. I made a snap judgement to try and remove the hook. I had to partially put my hand down his throat. She didn’t like it and the underside of my forearm has a little bit of flat rash, But was gently able to remove the hook, and this fish was rip rearing to go when I came time to revive and release. I feel that the fish was much better off than cutting the line and leaving the hook.
Flathead WI is right about bleeding fish and his method to see if its going to survive. Big cats bleed but its like us getting a good cut. They heal quick most times. The only time is when its interior gills are ripped/ severed, they really cant heal that tissue before they bleed out.
Nice work Larry. I am sure you don’t mind a little carpet burn to allow that fish to go without hardware. 
Quote:
it’s been shown to have very negative effects upon the brain and central nervous system, and even correlated with lower IQs in the next generation among regular mercury-laced fish eaters.
This explains a LOT! 
Good post FlatheadWI…as that is my choice too.
Rich? Are those studies on line anywhere?
PS
There are times when I can’t back out a 10/0. More so when it’s back by the gullet. A friend slapped me in the head and said…cut the line and push it through… 
Pretty obviouse once it was brought to my attention.
It’s good to see some action starting in Wisconsin on the issue of protecting big cats. With the dog days of summer coming, and the rivers dropping, the walleye are hard to find, so I’ll put in a few all-nighters for mudcat. 
In all seriousness, is Minnesota moving on the issue of protecting big catfish? Down here in southeast Iowa where I live now, the “big catfish = dinner” mindset reins supreme. Release a nice-sized channel cat or flathead around here, and people look at you like you’ve grown a second head. So, I have little hope for Iowa on the issue of protecting big cats. It would be nice to catch more big flathead when I come up to Minnesota in August, though, and I’m not giving up on that.
I think it’s been proven time and time again. Protect and produce big fish and they will come. I guess I would feel much better having very tight restrictions on the flats and seeing out of state plates at the river launches.
Good post guys!!!!!! email sent
I just spoke with Al.
He said his proposal is due on Monday. When that is approved by his department and his superiors, a few weeks, he plans to reply to each and every person who emailed him.
During these early stages, he has been keeping the data close to the vest for political reasons. He said once the proposal is approved and ready for the public to chew on, he is going to really start broadcasting the message.
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