Do angler experience and fishing lure characteristics influence welfare outcomes for largemouth bass?

Catch-and-release (C&R) angling is common with anglers releasing a portion of their catch to comply with harvest regulations or because of their conservation ethic. The basis of C&R lies in the assumption that a large proportion of the fish survive and experience limited fitness consequences – that is, the welfare status of individual fish is maintained. However, the level of experience of an angler, as well as use of different gear and lure types, can greatly influence the rate of hooking injury and mortality. These relationships have been documented for a variety of fish species, but few studies have considered the influence of both angler experience and gear or lure type simultaneously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between angler experience, lure characteristics, landing time, hooking injury, and handling time in the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Largemouth Bass were captured by hook and line between July and September 2018 by anglers with a wide range of experience (novice to professional). During and after these events, measurements were taken on fish characteristics, angler experience, lure characteristics, and welfare outcomes. Generalized linear models indicated that lure characteristics (lure type, size, and number of hooks) had a significant influence on fish injury and handling time, whereas angler experience did not. Specifically, lures with more hook points resulted in shallower hooking depths but longer dehooking times. These results indicate that lure choice is an important aspect of managing C&R fisheries. When choosing a lure, there may be a tradeoff between minimizing the physiological stress associated with handling and air exposure, and reducing the chances of injury and deep hooking. Additional research is needed to better understand such trade-offs across a range of environmental conditions and species.