Fishing Gear

Jun 21, 2021

Can Self-Releasing Hooks Minimize Fish Injuries During Catch-and-Release?

A bite-shortened hook, designed to release fish without handling, shows promise.

Apr 19, 2021

What Should We Do With a Fleet of Boats When It Wears Out?

A new project points the way to more sustainable solutions for fiberglass vessels that have reached the end of their operating lives.

Aug 10, 2020

Are Catch-and-Release Deepwater Fish an Easy Meal for Sharks?

Can shark appetites undermine the use of descending devices as a conservation strategy? A research team led by one of the scientists who appeared on SHARKFEST, Marcus Drymon of Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, decided to find out.

Jul 13, 2020

Will Anglers Use Descending Devices on Reef Fish?

1,000 anglers received descending devices to try out for free, and here’s what they thought.

Mar 16, 2020

Does Hand-Crank Electrofishing Help Battle Invasive Catfish?

Hand-crank electrofishing — or “telephoning” — is a recreational fishing technique that has been legal in North Carolina since 1985. As the name suggests, it involves using a telephone generator to produce low-voltage alternating current by turning a hand crank, which stuns catfish.

Feb 24, 2020

Do Gray Triggerfish Survive After Catch-and-Release?

New science shows they usually don’t.

Apr 8, 2019

Will a Simple Tutorial Help Anglers Build Up the Red Snapper Population?

Chance of survival increases when releasing a fish through use of a descending device — a tool that returns a fish to its depth at capture.

Feb 4, 2019

Can Released Deepwater Grouper Survive?

The use of descending devices in offshore bottom-fishing can combat the potentially life-threatening effects on fish brought up from depth.

Jan 7, 2019

Can Circle Hooks Compete with J Hooks?

If circle hooks were required, what impact would it have?