1. **Wet Your Hands**: Before touching the fish, wet your hands to protect its slime coat, which is vital for its health. This helps prevent the removal of this protective layer that can lead to infections.
2. **Use a Landing Net**: If possible, use a landing net to bring the fish in. This minimizes stress and injury to the fish compared to grabbing it directly.
3. **Minimize Air Exposure**: Try to keep the fish out of water for as short a time as possible. If you're planning to release it, keep it in the water while you unhook it.
4. **Proper Handling**: If you need to hold the fish, do so gently and support its body. Avoid squeezing it too hard, especially around the gills and belly. Hold it horizontally to prevent injury.
5. **Use Tools**: Use pliers or a hook remover to unhook the fish. This reduces handling and makes the process quicker and safer for both you and the fish.
6. **Revive Before Release**: If you’re releasing the fish, hold it in the water facing upstream, allowing water to flow through its gills. Move it gently back and forth until it starts to swim away on its own.
7. **Keep It Cool**: If you're keeping the fish for consumption, place it on ice as soon as possible to maintain freshness. Make sure to clean it properly and store it in a cooler until you're ready to process it.
By following these steps, you'll ensure a safer and more humane experience for both you and the fish. Happy fishing!
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