KnoW hoW
to fizz
“fizzing” is the
term anglers use for
the process of reliev-
ing pressure by
puncturing a bass’s
swim bladder with a
venting needle. the
most effective
method to fizz deep-
caught bass is to
insert the needle into
the bass’s side, just
behind the laid-back
pectoral fin, then
submerge the bass
and let the air vent.
to determine
whether a fish needs
fizzing, place it in a
livewell for a few
minutes and monitor
its behavior. if it
floats on its side,
upside down or can’t
seem to stay upright,
it’s probably time to
get out the needle.
July 2017 I FlWFIshIng.com
1. Insert a 16-gauge, 1 1/2-inch fizzing
needle into the fish's side a couple
of scales behind the pectoral fin at
a shallow angle. Go under a scale,
and insert the needle about
halfway.
2. Raise the needle up to near vertical.
3. Now submerge the fish and push
the needle all the way in. The air
should vent out.
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