How To Release Fish for Maximum Survival | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 452

Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and Saltwater Experience TV show, shares expert techniques for catch-and-release fishing in this how-to episode, drawing on his extensive experience guiding and fishing in the Florida Keys, The Bahamas, and destinations worldwide. He breaks down proper fish handling methods that maximize survival rates, featuring guidance from Richard Black, one of the best guides in the Florida Keys who won tons of tournaments. From using dehookers to avoid touching fish entirely, to understanding when landing nets shorten fights and improve release outcomes, this episode reveals techniques that could change how you handle every bonefish, permit, redfish, and tarpon you catch. The methods discussed challenge common practices many anglers still use today.

Why Landing Nets Actually Save Fish Lives

Tom makes a controversial argument that many anglers resist: using a landing net for certain species actually shortens the fight and improves survival rates. He explains how permit, bonefish, redfish, snook, cobia, and jack crevalle all benefit from being netted quickly rather than making three, four, or five more circles around the boat. The video example he shares shows a kayak angler catching a fish like a football in a rubber net, cutting minutes off the fight. But there's a catch—some fish should never be netted, and Tom explains exactly which ones and why. The distinction between species that benefit and those that get damaged reveals how much thought goes into proper release technique. The full breakdown of which fish to net starts at 3:03.

The Richard Black Dehooking Method That Changes Everything

Richard Black, who has been on Saltwater Experience and End of the Blue numerous times and is one of the very finest guides in the Florida Keys, demonstrates a dehooking technique that Tom calls game-changing. Using the same dehooker offshore anglers use for ballyhoo and threadfins, Richard releases bonefish without ever touching them. He grabs the line with the dehooker, swings it in a circle, slides down to the hook, turns it out, and the fish swims away with zero handling. Tom draws a direct parallel to how carefully anglers handle offshore baits—touch them once and they're belly up in hours—and explains why the same principle applies to gamefish even if they swim away looking healthy. The method is so effective it's been making the rounds on Instagram. Watch the technique breakdown starting at 6:49.

When to Take the Photo and When to Let It Go

Tom addresses the elephant in the room: that first bonefish photo matters, and he wouldn't deny anyone that moment. But after you've caught a bunch and they all look about the same—weighing one ounce more than the last and maybe an ounce less than the next—do you really need another photo? He advocates for getting your good picture early, then releasing the rest without ever taking them out of the water. The same philosophy applies to tarpon, where we've learned these fish are way more delicate than previously thought. Tom recalls how anglers used to bring them in the boat, lip gaff them, and do all kinds of things thinking they're just really big tough fish. The shift in understanding about fish fragility changes everything about how you approach that moment at the boat. The philosophy behind photo decisions starts at 6:15.

Heavy Tackle and Shortened Fights: The Respect Angle

One way to show fish respect, Tom argues, is to fish with heavy enough tackle to put adequate pressure on them and shorten the fight. This gets a little controversial with some anglers, but Tom strongly believes in it. The longer a fish fights, the more adrenaline builds up, the greater the risk of predator attack from barracuda or sharks, and the lower the survival rate even if they swim away looking healthy. He connects this to the broader handling principle: never touch the fish if possible. Richard Black's video shows exactly this—catching a bonefish, using the dehooker, giving it a little shove with the tool to send it away, and never making hand contact. The fish maintains its slime coating, doesn't lose scales, and has the best chance of survival. The tackle weight discussion and respect philosophy starts at 2:49.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I wanted to do this How to Tuesday because Richard Black's video has been making the rounds on Instagram, and it's such an important technique that every angler should see. Richard is one of the finest guides in the Florida Keys—he's been on Saltwater Experience and End of the Blue multiple times, and he's won tons of tournaments. When someone at that level shows you a better way to do something, you pay attention.

The dehooking method he demonstrates isn't complicated, but it changes everything about how you approach releasing fish. Whether you're targeting bonefish in The Bahamas, permit in the Keys, or any species you plan to release, these techniques will improve survival rates. We're learning more and more about how delicate these fish really are, and it's on us to adapt our practices.

If you're serious about catch and release—and if you want to maintain the healthy populations of bonefish, permit, redfish, and tarpon that we all enjoy—this episode is essential. The techniques are simple to implement and they work. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. You can text me anytime at (305) 930-7346. That's the inner circle, and I respond to everyone.