The dreaded question - does fishing cause pain?

[TGL]

I've done a bit of research and seen differing opinions. On one side of the argument people say it's barbaric and fish can feel pain and are caused psychological stress, and on the other side people say they haven't got the ability to perceive pain and therefore fishing is harmless. I love fishing and would hate to give it up but if I knew for definite fish were caused a lot of pain I'd be left with no other option. Although if they only felt a mild amount of pain I'd probably fish on with barbless hooks. I know there's obviously going to be some bias here but I'm interested to hear some opinions.

Another thing, if there's no way of getting a hook out is it true they can digest them?

Cheers

[blackwater]

Hi

I have caught the same pike 2 times within 2 sessions 2 days apart, that to me says either that; pike have a very bad memory or that they are feeling no pain . If they felt the pain then surely they would be more wary to pick up baited hooks?? That's just my opinion!

[TGL]

Originally Posted by blackwater

Hi

I have caught the same pike 2 times within 2 sessions 2 days apart, that to me says either that; pike have a very bad memory or that they are feeling no pain . If they felt the pain then surely they would be more wary to pick up baited hooks?? That's just my opinion!

There have been studies done though which show fish more reluctant to feed for a period of time after being hooked suggesting they do feel pain. Another study they injected bee venom into their mouths and they rubbed their lips off the bottom of the tank and seemed to be distressed. I suppose it will never be conclusive either way.

[NICK R]

Originally Posted by TGL

I've done a bit of research and seen differing opinions. On one side of the argument people say it's barbaric and fish can feel pain and are caused psychological stress, and on the other side people say they haven't got the ability to perceive pain and therefore fishing is harmless. I love fishing and would hate to give it up but if I knew for definite fish were caused a lot of pain I'd be left with no other option. Although if they only felt a mild amount of pain I'd probably fish on with barbless hooks. I know there's obviously going to be some bias here but I'm interested to hear some opinions.

Another thing, if there's no way of getting a hook out is it true they can digest them?

Cheers

Another thing, if there's no way of getting a hook out is it true they can digest them?

there is always a way to get the hook out

boot on the head and pull works

seriously use a pair of pliers , cut the hook in half , for smaller hooks a pair of nail clippers works well

[Maddison_Twatter]

Originally Posted by TGL

There have been studies done though which show fish more reluctant to feed for a period of time after being hooked suggesting they do feel pain. Another study they injected bee venom into their mouths and they rubbed their lips off the bottom of the tank and seemed to be distressed. I suppose it will never be conclusive either way.

Theres no doubt that in most cases the fish will feel some "stress" which could put them off feeding for a while but this does not mean they felt any pain. No one can really answer this question for sure until more scientific studies are made. I think the main thing is to ensure the fish is landed, handled and returned as quickly and as safely as possible.

[mithrandir]

fish do not have the areas in the brain to perceive pain as we do, and "psychological stress" !! that implies that fish have a psyche, maybe I should try discussing philosophy with the next carp I land!!

I have seen a fish attacked by a pike and have massive trauma but swim away, if pain was felt it would have gone into shock from that pain and not carried on as normal.

Response to stimuli (as in the bee venom trials) and the pulling away from a hooked bait ( how the bolt rig really works) are common to the lower functions of the brain. Pain is a higher function and the nerve centres are just not there.

I use barbless as I feel it gives a less damaging hold and should heal quicker ( and the argument about the hook rotating in an unbarbed hook are still not resolved), I use an unhooking mat to minimise bankside damage to a fish, I try to keep them out of the water for as short a time as I can and I return and revive fish so they return in good condition, but I do not consider that I can inflict "pain" as we understand it, maybe just some physical distress that soon passes.

No doubt some animal lib people will kick off, but having seen what mink released by these well meaning idiots have done to the poor defenceless bankside creatures I feel they should get some proper facts before they scaremonger anymore.

Carry on your fishing and have respect for the fish you catch.

[NICK R]

On the pain thing

Many yrs ago i caught a perch by foul hook in its eye
the eye was left on the hook where after 5 Min's i re caught the same fish , did he feel pain ,or did the need to feed over take the pain

[Maddison_Twatter]

Originally Posted by NICK R

On the pain thing

Many yrs ago i caught a perch by foul hook in its eye
the eye was left on the hook where after 5 Min's i re caught the same fish , did he feel pain ,or did the need to feed over take the pain

My dad told me a similar story, he foul hooked a fish in the eye and the fish shook off but before my dad could reel fully in the same fish went for the eye and was caught again , now thats F***ed up !

[scottish_and_mental]

If we wern't supposed to catch and eat fish God wouldn't have made them so tasty ..

In my opinion fish are dumber than dumb...why swim past my perfectly good cocktail of top tasty offerings leaving it to the slightly more intelligent crabs

[excarper]

the fish must be the dumbest of all in eastbourne then steve!