200 year old fish caught in Alaska!

[Raincatcher]

I wonder how long it would have been around if the guy had released it.

 

[fishtales]

Probably along time given the dates they have been throwing around.

Maybe the fish gutted the hook and was going to go anyway so he did the only thing reasonable he could think of and keep it. Kind of sad IMO

 

[troutmasta]

Those bottom fish have an air bladder that swells up as they are pulled from the depths causing massive damage to thier internal organs. It usually takes special cages or reverse barbless hooks to release them safely, these are things that only research boats usually have so they can release them safely. Sport boats usually catch to keep and for rock fish thats no bueno.

 

[igquick]

that's insane!

 

[eugene1]

There's a movement to equip sports boats with fish descending devices too. It's sponsored by ODFW and others.