1. **Wet Your Hands**: Always wet your hands before handling a fish. This helps to protect their slime coating, which is essential for their health and prevents infections.
2. **Minimize Air Exposure**: Try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. If you need to take it out for a quick photo, do so as briefly as possible. The longer a fish is out of water, the more stress it experiences.
3. **Support the Fish Properly**: When lifting a fish, support its body by placing one hand under its belly and the other near the tail. Avoid holding it by the gills or the eyes, as this can cause serious injury.
4. **Use Barbless Hooks**: If possible, use barbless hooks or pinch the barbs down on your hooks. This makes it easier to remove the hook and minimizes damage to the fish.
5. **Remove Hooks Carefully**: If the hook is deeply embedded, cut the line close to the hook rather than trying to remove it. This reduces the trauma to the fish.
6. **Revive the Fish**: After releasing the fish, hold it gently in the water facing upstream to help water flow over its gills. This will help revive the fish before letting it swim away.
By following these techniques, you can significantly increase the chances of survival for the fish you catch. Remember, every little effort counts towards conserving our aquatic ecosystems!
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