The effects of catch-and-release angling on the growth and survival of juvenile white seabass captured on offset circle and J-type hooks

Despite the growing number of recreational anglers targeting white seabass Atractoscion nobilis in California, no information is available on the mortality rates of juveniles following catch and release. We captured juvenile white seabass (430-577 mm total length) with 4/0 offset circle hooks (n = 113) or 4/0 J-type hooks (n = 108) or with a net (control, n = 30) to investigate the effect of hook type on anatomical hook location. We also examined how hook location affected growth and survival for 90 d following release. Offset circle hooks penetrated the lip region significantly more frequently (73%) than did J-type hooks (41%). Hook location was directly correlated with mortality; all mortalities involved hook damage to the visceral region. A 10% postrelease mortality rate was observed for fish caught on both offset circle and J-type hooks. All mortalities occurred within 5 d postrelease. Survival was enhanced when deeply embedded hooks were left in place rather than removed from the visceral tissue. Hook-caught fish showed no reduction in growth when compared with control fish, but deeply hooked fish grew at a significantly lower rate than did fish hooked in the mouth. Angler success rates did not differ significantly between hook types. We recommend that catch-and-release mortality be incorporated into the management plan for white seabass.