Photo opts

[BIGBOW]

With this site rapidly growing and all the new members and pics in the galleries, I just started wondering how many of these photogenic fish are actually being mishandled for pics. I've seen some real bungholes out there take 3-4 minutes to get a fish to shore and beach it for a photo. I want to remind people who aren't in the proper position for a quick pic and aren't planning on keeping the fish, that they should put them back as fast as they can. Hopefully most of us know to wet the hands before handling them (if you have to) to help keep their coated membrane intact. The pictures just got me thinking of what I've seen out there.

 

[AKSkim]

I just started wondering how many of these photogenic fish are actually being mishandled for pics.

You know BigBow Slapshot...

You might be onto a good thread there.

Maybe if you could post how to handle fish, with some good photos on how to do it correctly.

Also, find pic's of some of the common mistakes people make while landing, and photographing fish.

I believe that would be very beneficial not only to people new to the sport, but would also show some of us proper techniques on doing so.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Some suggestions on photo opts keep your camera in a handy spot in your vest or have your fishing partner take the shot quickly for you if available. As for your fish keep him in the water until you are ready if at all. The main thing is to get the fish in as quickly as possible and use the heaviest tippet for the given situation so you do not wear the fish out. As I have stated before I mostly fish 5x for dries and 3x-4x for streamers and wets and have not had a problem skating fish in. Here is some thing for you that take pictures to try. I often do not carry a net and it seems to work for me bring your fish in and then let him go with hook in mouth 9 times out of 10 it just sulks for a few moments by your feet while you get your camera ready grab your leader and bring the fish up for a quick pic and release. Always keep your fish in the water until you are ready. Wet your hands and gently hold it if it is a big fish support it with both hands not with a boca grip or through the gills.Or simply take a snap shot of the fish in your net. I would say 99 % of the time when a fish is handled this way it will race back to the hole from which it was caught no harm. I fish many spots and can recall catching allot of the same trout more than once through out the course of the year. I am more than willing to give up flies as well to release a fish in good heath. If it is any where deep in the mouth of the trout I will just cut the line and retie.If the fish is to feisty just release it so you do not have to man handle it.Note I never clench or squeeze a fish for the opt simply cradle them in your hand or hands. Hope I was able to give some helpful incite as this is what has proven to work for me.

One final note please keep you finger nails neet and clean as it looks nicer in the pictures nobody like to see dirty nails !!

Net method:

handling a big fish:

Handling a small fish:

under water:

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Sorry AK I was writing this as you were replying . This is a good thread thank you BIGBOW!

 

[Bamboozle]

I prefer to use the TNPALLH method...

...which stands for: Take No Pictures and Lie Like Hell!!

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Bamboozle I like your approach as well good thinking!!

 

[gadfly]

You forgot one thing....

Don't forget to hold the fish as far in front of yourself and close to the camera as possible so it looks nice and BIG. I also like to use a pair of fake miniature hands to preserve the illusion. It doesn't look natural when yours hands appear bigger than your head. :applaudit

 

[Bamboozle]

I work hard on the pictures I do take of fish.

I actually traveled to the Amazon and the South Pacific to learn the art of shrunken heads. I applied the technique to my left hand which is now about the size of a GI-Joe hand. I also hired a really tiny midget to act a ghillie and bought one of those micro fly rods rod & reels they sell at J. Austin Forbes. Added to that I tie all of my flies on size 32 hooks and I made a tiny net out of a bubble blower gizmo and some gauze.

Now when I take a picture of a 4" dink, I quickly yank the size 14 fly out of it's mouth, replace it with a size 32, hold it in my shrunken WET hand, pose it next to the J. Austin Forbes rod and bubble blower net; or I just call the midget over and have him hold it while I snap a picture which I later post on a thread on NEFF titled:

Too Big To Handle!!

I also use the same GI-Joe hand to hold the old Johnson while I snap a picture which I later post on a thread on OnLineBootyCall.com titled:

Too Big To Handle!!

I leave the midget out of those photo ops!



Here's what I use for bass fishing photo ops:

 

[Corndog]

handling a big fish:

Show off!

Cdog

 

[AKSkim]

Bam:

Whats in the little cooler?

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Show off!

Cdog

Thank you Cdog it is a great picture to illustrate this technique and it works well. This picture should come in handy for many years to come.

 

[Corndog]

Thank you Cdog it is a great picture to illustrate this technique and it works well. This picture should come in handy for many years to come.

This one is handy as well...wet handy I might add.

Cdog

 

[MrJesse34]

Its great except it assumes you have someone to fish with. If its just you out on the river, its hard to take pics that look good. I always bring the fish in as soon as possible, and get the hook out. Then I take the camera which is hanging around my neck and try to take some pics. I have a million pics of me holding the trout in my hand but none of me holding the trout with two hands.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Nice pic Cdog I recognize the spot you are fishing have to get there again some time!My hands are wet in the pic fish was out for about a second to snap the shot.