Catch and release means landing a fish, handling it carefully, and returning it to the water alive rather than keeping it. It's a widely used practice in sport fishing worldwide, particularly for species that are slow to reproduce or vulnerable to overfishing, such as billfish. Done well, it lets anglers experience the fight and the catch while leaving the fish able to swim away and continue its life cycle. This guide explains what it involves, why many anglers and operators choose it, and what to expect on a trip with Tenerife Fishing Experts.
What Catch and Release Actually Means
Catch and release isn't a single fixed rule — it's a set of practices aimed at minimising harm to a fish before it's returned to the water. In practice, this usually covers three things:
- How the fish is fought — landing it as efficiently as possible rather than prolonging the fight
- How it's handled — supporting the fish properly and limiting time out of water
- How it's released — making sure the fish is capable of swimming away before letting go
The goal is simple: reduce stress and injury so the fish has the best possible chance of surviving after release. It doesn't guarantee survival — no method does — but well-practised catch and release significantly improves the odds compared to careless handling.
Why It's Practised in Sport Fishing Generally
Many billfish species, including marlin and sailfish, grow slowly, mature late, and don't reproduce quickly. In fisheries around the world, this has made catch and release a common approach for these species specifically, since removing breeding-age fish from the population has an outsized long-term impact. Tuna, wahoo, and dorado generally have different life histories and are more commonly kept for the table, though this varies by operator, region, and local rules.
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Beyond individual species, catch and release reflects a broader idea in sport fishing: that the value of a trip lies in the skill, the fight, and time on the water — not solely in what's kept. It's a practical philosophy, not a moral pronouncement, and different anglers and operators strike the balance differently depending on species, local stocks, and personal preference.
General Good-Handling Practices
These are widely recognised techniques used across sport fishing to improve a released fish's chances — not a certification or standard claimed specifically by Tenerife Fishing Experts, but general best practice worth knowing before a trip:
- Minimise fight time. Using appropriately matched tackle for the target species helps land a fish faster, reducing exhaustion and lactic acid build-up.
- Keep the fish in the water where possible. Especially for larger species like marlin, releasing boat-side without lifting the fish out of the water reduces stress and injury risk.
- Handle with wet hands, never dry towels or gloves on the skin, to avoid removing the protective mucus layer that helps prevent infection.
- Support the fish properly — avoiding grips on the gills or eyes, and supporting larger fish horizontally rather than letting their own weight hang unsupported.
- Use circle hooks where appropriate. Circle hooks are widely used in sport and commercial fishing because they tend to hook fish in the corner of the mouth rather than deeper, making safe hook removal easier and reducing injury.
- Revive before release. For a tired fish, moving it gently through the water to pass oxygen over the gills before letting go can improve its chances of swimming off strongly.
- Photograph quickly. If a photo is wanted, having the camera ready beforehand keeps the fish's time out of water as short as possible.
None of this guarantees a fish's survival after release — sea conditions, hook placement, fight duration, and the fish's own condition all play a part. It does, however, reflect the general standard responsible sport anglers and crews aim for.
Catch and Release with Tenerife Fishing Experts
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What can be said generally: crews on offshore and big-game trips are experienced in landing and handling a range of species, and decisions around keeping or releasing a fish are typically discussed with the crew during the trip, taking into account species, condition, and any local guidance. If catch-and-release matters to you — for example, if you'd like to release a billfish regardless of size — it's worth raising this with the crew when you book, so expectations are clear before you're on the water.
For anglers targeting big game specifically, this is worth discussing in advance: see the Big Game Fishing page for what a big-game trip involves, and get in touch to confirm current practice for your target species.
FAQs
Is catch and release required on Tenerife Fishing Experts trips? This depends on species, trip type, and current operational policy, which should be confirmed with the crew when booking. Some species are more commonly released than others in sport fishing generally, but the specific approach for any given trip should be checked directly rather than assumed.
Does catch and release harm the fish? Any capture involves some stress to the fish. Good handling practices — short fight times, minimal air exposure, careful support, and a proper release — are designed to reduce that stress and improve the fish's chances of swimming away in good condition, though outcomes can vary.
Can I keep a fish I catch? Whether a fish can be kept depends on the species, local rules, and the operator's current practice on the day. This should be confirmed with the crew before or during your trip rather than assumed in advance.
Why do some anglers release billfish specifically? Billfish such as marlin tend to grow slowly and reproduce later in life, which is part of why release is common practice for these species across many sport fisheries worldwide. Local and legal specifics for Canary Islands waters should be confirmed with an authoritative source before being stated as fact.
Planning a Responsible Trip
Understanding catch and release before you go out helps you set realistic expectations and have a more informed conversation with your crew. If you're planning an offshore or big-game trip, browse the Fishing Tours hub to compare trip formats, or head straight to the Big Game Fishing page to see what's involved in targeting larger species.
Ready to plan your trip? Get in touch with Tenerife Fishing Experts to ask about current catch-and-release practice for your target species before you book.