I've never fished the east coast so I don't know how much of a problem this is for you guys. *On the left coast we target a number of bottom fish species that often live in deep, rocky habitat. *The problem of course is that when these fish are brought to the surface from depth, the swim bladder often ruptures and the fish arrive at the boat bloated with bulging eyes and protruding stomach's. *I don't keep all the fish I catch but the inflated ones can't swim back down. *In the long run I end up killing some small fish that haven't had a chance to breed. *Also, we have some species of rockfish which are protected. *These fish can't be kept but also can't be returned because they have become fish balloons. *It's a shame to see 'em floating away just to become seagull snacks. *
Last year I learned a technique of deflating the fish. *It's quick, it's easy and it works. *I found a web site with information and a video demonstrating the procedure. My tool of choice for this is a cheap meat injecting syringe purchased at the hardware store.
TunaHead
http://isurus.mote.org/research/cfe/...ent-a-fish.htm