Fizzing Walleyes

[J.Hestwood]

Where can you pick up hypodermic needles for 'fizzing'walleyes that come out of deep water. Any tips on the procedure?

[Walizz 1]

18G x 1 1/2". The brand name I have is Terumo. I think they have them at Fleet Farm. As for the procedure, it would be easier for me to show how it's done. I'm not very good at explaining things in print. I think anyplace selling farm supplies will have them.

[flattseyetaker]

You will hurt more than you will help unless someone shows you first hand. There was a long debate on one of the boards and if your not in a tournament a quick release is the better for the fish than fizzing. My partner say when I fish with him this year and it's over 5# it doesn't even go in the net. If you do a search I think there is statistics from DNR/biologists.

[Jim Ordway]

Either In-Fisherman or Walleye Insider had an article on this an issue or two ago, I will have to try to find it. Basically they studied releasing walleye caught deep and putting them into a holding tank to study the effects. The fish had no worse survival rates than fish already acclimated to shallow water. That article would suggest that the fish will do just fine on there own. Needles stuck into fish may cause more damage than it attempts to prevent.
My 2 1/2 cents,

[JCarp]

Practice on keepers until your proficient. Not necessary if fish is released immediately (at least up to 65 ft). Check archieves here for more info on technique, comes up once or twice per yr. I have trouble with searches, but sometimes have success trying different keywords til I get lucky.

[SLIPKNOT]

Fizzing fish doesn't help at all. At a tournament this summer on Sturgeon bay, it was split half and half with dead walleye.

[Chairman]

I fizz any fish that does not stay on the bottom of my livewell. I feel they are more relaxed than struggling to stay upright. My live release is as good or better than most of the field. Course I don't catch as many fish as most of them :-)
Chairman
NPAA #6

[MrTwister]

I have to agree with you Chairman, many times during tournaments, fish that we caught out of deep water (40 to 70 feet)early in the day and fizzed and put in the livewell appeared totally health when brought to the weighin in the late afternoon. They were relaxed all day and appeared total healthy that nite. I can not attest to the survival rate 3 days later or a week later but if any of the fizzed and released fish live, that is one more fish in the system for some anglers pleasure again.