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[fishseeker]

I have been getting a lot better at getting fish in quickly so as to avoid exhausting them if I decide to release them.   This is well and good and it works out well half the time but often I run into another problem - they can go completely ape when I get them into the shallow water to the point where it becomes very hard to handle them.    (I have had my hands slashed, busted leaders and and a hook nearly driven through my finger in one case).   Not at all the pretty sight that I see on Rodney's fishing videos

What is the best way to handle a very energetic and frightened fish in shallow water ?  (Sometimes I find turning them upside down can help but I have usually gotten thoroughly splashed and slashed by that point)

[DionJL]

Tail them in deeper water. If they don't feel sand or gravel on their bellies they wont go (as) crazy.

[bunnta]

its hard to say when to tail it, the fish has to be a bit exhausted to let you tail it. many times a coho will start its erractic behavior when it sees you, i've had so many coho just book it after i grab its tail and lower mouth area. Most of the time if the fish starts to lay on its side, it makes them much easier to handle otherwise its hard to try and tail a fish that isn't tired at all. Any fish that i plan not to keep will be tailed where i am knee deep or even deeper, never had a problem tailing it deeper.

[Athezone]

I always keep my needle nose plier's on me or within reach, keep the fish in the water, the deeper the better, pull the line taut and extricate hook with the plier's. It works very well and don't have to worry about getting nicked or scarred from the thrashing hook. Yes sometimes it bugger's up the line on the hook if I'm not careful but I can always retie it in seconds.

Most important thing is keeping the fish in the water, bring it in quick, release it quick.

[fishseeker]

Well..thanks for the feedback.  I will practice some of these things to see what works best.

[Dogbreath]

Leave the hook in the fish-by trying to extract a small piece of wire from something with a limited life span you're stressing it unnecessarily-do you want to give it every chance to spawn or not.

I can't count the number of times I've seen people essentially kill fish just to get back a 10 cent piece of wire.

[cutthroat22]

Like with other things the more you practice and do it the better you will get.  Especially if your intention is to release the fish unharmed.

In an ideal situation

I tail fish with left hand
stick rod in armpit
with right hand take a picture *sometimes*
right hand grabs forceps or pliers and pops hook out
revive for a bit and try not to get splashed

I also use my teeth as a third hand to often to hold things like the camera or pliers. 

I find small trout less then 12" little buggers to catch and release.