Catch-and-Release Mortality in Subadult and Adult Red Drum Captured with Popular Fishing Hook Types

Abstract

Saltwater anglers along the entire coast of the southeastern United States target red drum Sciaenops ocellatus more frequently than any other recreational fish species. The frequency of catch-and-release angling has increased dramatically for this species in the past two decades, but little is known about the survival of released fish. This study demonstrates that catch-and-release mortality rates for subadult and adult red drum differed significantly among the most popular types of fish hooks in each fishery. To investigate the effect of hook type on anatomical hooking location and short-term (48-h) mortality, we captured subadults (339–825 mm total length (TL)) by use of 2/0 J-hooks (n = 57 fish), 4/0 nonoffset circle hooks (n = 58 fish), and 4/0 offset circle hooks (n = 57 fish). Nonoffset circle hooks penetrated shallow regions of the body (jaw, tongue, or inside of mouth) significantly more frequently (90%) than did J-hooks (60%) or offset circle hooks (80%). Nonoffset circle hooks also resulted in the lowest rate of subadult mortality (2%). Adults (660–1,138 mm TL) were captured on bottom longline gear with 7/0 J-hooks (n = 60) and 9/0 nonoffset circle hooks (n = 107). The frequency of deep hooking in adults was significantly higher for J-hooks (30%) than nonoffset circle hooks (3%). Only deep hooked fish were monitored for 48-h survival. Adult mortality after 48 h was lower for nonoffset circle hooks (1.9%) than for J-hooks (3.3%). These mortality rates should be considered in future red drum stock assessments.