When you’re out on the water as an angler, there comes a moment when you need to handle a fish—whether it’s to unhook it or prepare it for your next meal. But here’s a question that often sparks debate among anglers: Is it safe for the fish to touch it with fishing gloves on, or should you use your bare hands?
In this article, we’re diving deep into this topic to explore whether using gloves is a fish-friendly practice and to provide you with essential tips for safe and responsible fish handling. Let’s get right into it!
Why Gloves Appeal to Anglers
Before we delve into the gloves versus bare hands debate, it’s important to understand why many anglers choose to wear gloves when handling fish. Here are some compelling reasons:
Hand Protection
Fish can have sharp teeth, spines, gill plates, and rough scales that have the potential to cut or puncture your hands. Fishing gloves offer a protective barrier.
Insulation
In cold weather, handling fish in icy water can be uncomfortable without gloves. They provide insulation and keep your hands warm.
Improved Grip
Fish can be slippery, especially when they’re flopping and squirming. Gloves offer a better grip, allowing you to handle them more securely.
Enhanced Control
With gloves, you can grasp fish more firmly, giving you better control over their movements during handling.
Cleanliness
Handling fish can leave your hands smelling fishy. Gloves prevent this and keep your hands clean, which is especially appreciated when releasing or cleaning fish.
So, it’s clear that gloves offer several advantages for anglers. But let’s address the concerns about using gloves when handling fish.
Potential Concerns About Gloves and Fish
Some anglers argue against using gloves due to the following concerns:
Slime Coating
Textured gloves or certain fabrics might rub off the protective mucus or slime coating on fish, potentially harming them.
Chemical Transfer
There’s a theoretical possibility that chemicals or fabric dyes from gloves could transfer to the fish’s skin, affecting their health.
Lack of Sensitivity
Gloves may reduce your tactile feel, potentially leading to applying too much pressure to the fish’s body.
Abrasions
Hard plastic or rubberized grips on gloves might cause abrasions or injury to the fish.
While these concerns are valid on the surface, they can be addressed with the right choice of gloves and proper handling techniques.
Choosing Gloves That Protect Both Hands and Fish
To ensure that your gloves are safe for both you and the fish, follow these guidelines:
Smooth Exteriors
Select seamless gloves with smooth exteriors, avoiding textures that could scrape off the fish’s slime coating.
Non-Toxic Materials
Prioritize gloves marketed as “fish-friendly” and made from non-toxic materials to minimize any risks of chemical transfer.
Natural Materials
Gloves made from natural materials like neoprene, latex, or rubber are less likely to leach chemicals or dyes.
Proper Fit
Ensure that your gloves fit snugly but are flexible. Loose gloves are more likely to cause injuries due to reduced control.
By choosing the right gloves, you can enjoy the benefits of hand protection without endangering the fish.
Highly Rated Fish-Safe Glove Options
Here are some highly rated fish-safe glove options that provide both protection and fish-friendliness:
Bubba Blade E-Series Fillet Gloves
These gloves are grippy, flexible, and puncture-resistant, making them an excellent choice for fish handling.
KastKing Cut Resistant Gloves
Made from polyethylene material, these gloves won’t transfer chemicals to the fish’s skin, ensuring their safety.
Rapala Fisherman’s Glove
Featuring durable latex rubber, these gloves provide ample protection for your hands.
Glacier Glove Alaska River Series
Made from soft neoprene, these gloves won’t rub off the fish’s slime coating.
Now that you know how to choose fish-safe gloves, let’s explore the essential techniques for handling fish responsibly.
Handling Fish Carefully
Your choice of gloves is just one part of safe fish handling. Proper technique is equally important. Here are some key practices to follow:
Wet Your Hands/Gloves
Before touching a fish, wet your hands or gloves first. This helps preserve the protective mucus layer on the fish’s skin. Never handle fish with dry gloves.
Minimize Handling Time
Keep the fish out of the water for the shortest possible time. Only remove them briefly for hook removal or photographs.
Avoid Gill and Eye Grasping
When handling fish, refrain from grasping their gills or eyes. Instead, support the fish horizontally by holding their lower lip or mid-body.
Use Appropriate Pressure
While you should restrain the fish adequately to prevent injury, avoid squeezing them too tightly.
Watch for Obstacles
Be mindful of your surroundings and ensure that the fish doesn’t bang into docks, boats, rocks, or any other obstacles.
Revive Tired Fish
If you’ve been handling a fish for an extended period, hold it upright in the water and gently move it back and forth to oxygenate its gills before releasing it.
By following these practices, you can ensure that fish swim away unharmed, whether you choose to wear gloves or use your bare hands.
Bare Hands Offer More Feel (But Less Protection)
While gloves provide protection, they do reduce your touch sensitivity. This is a trade-off that you should consider. Bare hands offer maximum touch sensitivity, allowing for delicate fish handling. However, it also means sacrificing some protection.
Many catch-and-release anglers opt for bare wet hands when handling hardy fish briefly. Keep in mind that you may end up with smelly fingers, but it’s a small price to pay for the sensory experience of touching fish directly.
If you’re preparing fish for a meal, bare hands can make sense. Just be cautious of sharp fins and gill plates that can slice your fingers. In such cases, fillet gloves can be a helpful addition to your gear.
The Glove Versus Bare Hand Verdict
In conclusion, using gloves for touching fish is perfectly okay as long as you follow sensible practices and choose quality fish-handling gloves. These gloves protect your hands while posing minimal risk to the fish.
Bare hands can also be used for fish handling, especially when you prioritize touch sensitivity. However, keep in mind the trade-offs, including the risk of injuries and the potential transfer of fishy odors.
Ultimately, the choice between gloves and bare hands comes down to personal preference. What’s most crucial is that fish are treated gently and revived properly after catching. By adhering to responsible fish-handling practices, you can ensure that fish swim off strong, regardless of what’s on your hands!