Anglers’ attitudes have slowly changed over the years.   Once, every fish was killed to bring a meal to the table or put on a stringer and taken to the weigh-in.  My, how times have changed since then and for the better.  Anglers now see fish as a resource that they are responsible for managing.  Conservation and appropriate fisheries management will allow our future generations an opportunity to enjoy the great fisheries we have today.  One tool that has saved countless fish is VENTAFISH.  VENTAFISH is a venting tool.  Venting or fizzing as it is referred to by many anglers is necessary when a saltwater or freshwater fish is brought up quickly to the surface and their air bladder expands at a rapid rate.  Knowledgeable anglers can release this expansion of the fishes’ air bladder allowing it to return back to where it was caught.

 
There are certain signs anglers can look for to determine if a fish needs to have their air bladder vented or fizzed.  A fish’s stomach may be sticking out of its mouth.  It looks like a large pink tongue coming out of its mouth.  This condition is referred to as an everted stomach.  An angler should never push or puncture the stomach back into the fish; doing either one of those commonly result in death.  Another indication is protruding intestines coming out from the fish’s anus.  Again, do not try to push protruding intestines back into the fish.  Bulging eyes is another sign that the fish maybe in a state of being hyperbuoyant.  One more clue is bloating.

Education is the key to understanding why and what should be done for fish obviously in the state of being hyperbuoyant.  Read all the instructions that come with your venting tool or go to www.ventafish.com online for complete instructions online for instructions on the VENTAFISH before fizzing or depressurizing.  Anglers planning on using the VENTAFISH should practice venting or fizzing on fish they caught and plan on eating.  Laboratory studies have shown that when venting or fizzing is done quickly and correctly, it will not injury the fish and greatly increases the odds of survival. Additional information on venting or fizzing can be found at the Florida Sea Grant website (http://www.flseagrant.org/). by wetting your hand, and handle the fish only as long as necessary.

STEP 1: Hold the fish gently but firmly on its side. Place your VENTAFISH™ tool with the 45 degree front end approximately 1- to 2- inches from the base of the pectoral fin.

STEP 2: After removing the safety cap, slowly depress the plunger. The needle will penetrate the fish as you depress the plunger. Your VENTAFISH™ is designed so that it will not lock into place. Only depress the plunger enough to release the gases. The sound of the escaping air and deflation will be noticeable.

STEP 3: Return the vented fish to the water as soon as possible. If the fish is slow to respond, try reviving it by leading the fish around in a head-first, figure 8 pattern before releasing. Continue until the fish is able to swim unassisted.
After using VENTAFISH, the tool should be disjointed, placing both parts in a container of soapy detergent or diluted bleach solution for safe and effective cleaning.  A dull needle should be replaced with a new needle.  Simply remove the old needle and dispose of it in an appropriate container.  

VENTAFISH is constructed from the highest grade UV stabilized polymers and the cap from high impact, clear polycarbonate; in addition to having an oversized rubber grip for the anglers safety.  It can be stored or transported without fear of accidentally sticking someone.  The unique plunger assembly only allows the needle to be exposed when the cap is removed.
For conservational minded saltwater anglers, the VENTAFISH is a necessity.  A large number of desired fish are caught in deep water and brought to the surface rapidly causing their air bladders to expand.  If released back into the water will remain on the surface to be consumed by predators or unable to return back to the depths they were caught.  In the Gulf of Mexico, anglers are required by fishing regulation Amendment 27/14 to have a venting tool on board.  The amendment reads, “...(3) Venting tool. At least one venting tool is required and must be used to deflate the swim bladders of Gulf reef fish to release the fish with minimum damage. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 16–gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife or an ice-pick may not be used. The venting tool must be inserted into the fish at a 45–degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) from the base of the pectoral fin. The tool must be inserted just deep enough to release the gases, so that the fish may be released with minimum damage. ...".

Saltwater anglers can also benefit by using the VENTAFISH for keeping bait alive.  For example in the Gulf of Mexico, anglers often catch Pinfish and Sand perch that are caught up to 70-feet deep and reeled up rapidly and put in the livewell for bait.  The majority of this bait will float up and die if they are not vented or fizzed. 

For conservational minded freshwater anglers, the VENTAFISH is a necessity.  A number of freshwater fish are caught in deep water and when reeled in quickly experience expansion of their air bladders.   To keep the fish alive, an angler will need to vent or fizz the fish before it goes into the livewell to keep it alive for weigh-in or released. 
Anglers dealing with fish that are experiencing hyperbuoyant conditions now have a state-of-the-art tool made just for venting or fizzing, the patented pending VENTAFISH.  It was constructed to last a lifetime and with safety in mind; however, like any tool, VENTAFISH can only save fish by anglers using it correctly.  Education is the key.  Practice venting or fizzing on fish you plan on taking home to eat so you know if you are doing it correctly.  When done correctly countless saltwater and freshwater fish will survive for anglers to enjoy for years to come.