Skip to main content

Fizzing Smallmouths

Fizzing Smallmouths

Non-tournament anglers won’t kill smallmouths caught deep if they follow a few simple rules. Release the fish quickly, at boatside, without bringing them out of the water. In our experience, that works almost 100 percent of the time.

But if smallmouths are overtaxed they might float back up. Have a needle handy and fizz them quickly. Fizzing, though controversial, gives a bloated smallmouth the best chance for survival it has at that point. And we now have two methods of fizzing, through the side and down the throat.

Gene Gilliland, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fisheries biologist, has fizzed thousands of bass. “Fish have amazing regenerative abilities,” he says. “Puncture wounds heal relatively quickly. Puncturing the liver or most other organs in the vicinity of the swim bladder will not be lethal in most cases. The kidney, which is right along the spine above the bladder, is a different story. But fizzing is still better than allowing the majority of barotraumatized bass to die.”

When fishing for smallmouths deeper than 18 feet, have an 18-gauge sterilized needle on board. “You can find them at any vet supply store,” Gilliland says. “Personally, I’m more comfortable going through the side of the fish, where I can see the results. I hold a smallmouth on its side, lay the pectoral fin flat, go to the very tip of the fin, measure 1/2 inch toward the tail, and puncture there. Push the needle in 1/2 inch deep and leave it in. Then I get the fish in the water without squeezing. You want to see bubbles coming out, but don’t squeeze the air out. Hold them until the bubbles quit, remove the needle, and let them go.


“It’s possible to let too much air out, and that’s one reason I like going through the side. Doing it this way, I can feel the fish relax in my hand and see it right itself when the correct amount of pressure has been relieved. You want the bass to be neutrally buoyant, so it doesn’t just sink to the bottom.”

//content.osgnetworks.tv/infisherman/content/photos/Fizzing-Smallmouth.jpg

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fish Storyline E1 | The Berkley CULLSHAD Story

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Understanding Seasonal Movements of Largemouth Bass

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Quick Trip Through Time

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Shallow Water Walleyes with Thomas Allen

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Trinity River GIANT Alligator Gar

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Gear

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Walleye Presentations that Worked Yesterday and Today

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Smallmouth Bass Tactics

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Gear

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:3 - Swimbait-Hook Rigging for Big Bass with Doug Stange

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Top Hooks, Rigging and Removal Techniques with Doug Stange

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Precise Anchoring Techniques and Huge Tarpon and Sturgeon Fishing

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:2 - MEGA Northern Pike with Steve Quinn

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now