Conservation News

Elliott continues ‘fizz ed’ campaign

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Barb Elliott has become a fixture at Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments on the St. Lawrence River. For the past five years the New York B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director been available to give an individual, hands-on seminar for anglers. It concerns the best barotrauma procedure, a.k.a., how to fizz a fish. Elliott was positioned under a shade tree at the Whitaker Park takeoff and launch site for all three days of practice.
Barb Elliott has become a fixture at Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments on the St. Lawrence River. For the past five years the New York B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director been available to give an individual, hands-on seminar for anglers. It concerns the best barotrauma procedure, a.k.a., how to fizz a fish. Elliott was positioned under a shade tree at the Whitaker Park takeoff and launch site for all three days of practice.
It’s especially important for smallmouth bass on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, where a fish may be caught in various depths that cause its swim bladder to expand as it’s brought to the surface. Elliott’s seminar was required for all newcomers to the Elite Series this year. Several Elite Series veterans came by for a refresher. Here Lee Livesay, in his third season on the Elite Series, and rookie Josh Stracner get instruction from Elliott.
It’s especially important for smallmouth bass on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, where a fish may be caught in various depths that cause its swim bladder to expand as it’s brought to the surface. Elliott’s seminar was required for all newcomers to the Elite Series this year. Several Elite Series veterans came by for a refresher. Here Lee Livesay, in his third season on the Elite Series, and rookie Josh Stracner get instruction from Elliott.
Justin Atkins wanted to know what the minimum depth was when considering whether to fizz a fish or not. “Just put out of your mind how deep it was,” Elliott said. “The test is putting them in the livewell and see what they do. They might be in eight feet of water, but they might have just come out of 30 feet five minutes ago. They just don’t equalize that fast.” If the fish is having difficulty remaining upright in the livewell, it needs to be fizzed.
Justin Atkins wanted to know what the minimum depth was when considering whether to fizz a fish or not. “Just put out of your mind how deep it was,” Elliott said. “The test is putting them in the livewell and see what they do. They might be in eight feet of water, but they might have just come out of 30 feet five minutes ago. They just don’t equalize that fast.” If the fish is having difficulty remaining upright in the livewell, it needs to be fizzed.
Each Elite Series angler is given a “Barb’s Best Fizz Kit,” which includes two 18-guage needles and accompanying steel reamer wires. In addition to written instructions, the kit includes photos of exactly where to stick the needle in both smallmouth and largemouth bass. It’s different for each species.
Each Elite Series angler is given a “Barb’s Best Fizz Kit,” which includes two 18-guage needles and accompanying steel reamer wires. In addition to written instructions, the kit includes photos of exactly where to stick the needle in both smallmouth and largemouth bass. It’s different for each species.
However, nothing educates like hands-on instruction, especially when it comes to sticking a needle in a fish that you’re trying to keep alive. Here, with Elliott observing, Atkins inserts the needle at an angle under a scale at the proper insertion point.
However, nothing educates like hands-on instruction, especially when it comes to sticking a needle in a fish that you’re trying to keep alive. Here, with Elliott observing, Atkins inserts the needle at an angle under a scale at the proper insertion point.
Then the needle is lifted into a perpendicular position in relation to the fish, and the reamer is removed, opening a pathway for air pressure to be released through the needle.
Then the needle is lifted into a perpendicular position in relation to the fish, and the reamer is removed, opening a pathway for air pressure to be released through the needle.
Air pressure flowing through the needle forms bubbles indicating a successful fizz. Another method of fizzing a fish requires sticking a needle down the fish’s gullet, and it’s fraught with peril. “The problem with fizzing through the mouth is you can puncture all those major organs that are clustered around the gullet,” Elliott said.
Air pressure flowing through the needle forms bubbles indicating a successful fizz. Another method of fizzing a fish requires sticking a needle down the fish’s gullet, and it’s fraught with peril. “The problem with fizzing through the mouth is you can puncture all those major organs that are clustered around the gullet,” Elliott said.
<p>Atkins releases a successfully fizzed smallmouth bass. Conservation has always been a key part of the B.A.S.S. mission statement. Barb Elliott continues to volunteer her time to promote that mission with her “fizz ed” instruction. Elite Series anglers in particular and the St. Lawrence River smallmouth bass fishery in general are beneficiaries of that.<br><br><a href=
Atkins releases a successfully fizzed smallmouth bass. Conservation has always been a key part of the B.A.S.S. mission statement. Barb Elliott continues to volunteer her time to promote that mission with her “fizz ed” instruction. Elite Series anglers in particular and the St. Lawrence River smallmouth bass fishery in general are beneficiaries of that.Watch a video on fizzing smallmouth bass.

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