.Russell

Yes it was an actual cable tie, just like the one in the article except blue. I think maybe in future I will cut the loop so it cannot become snagged trapping the fish. This means that the fish won't be left with an open wound, liable to infection etc and with the tie cut it will be able to work its way out without further damaging the fish.....Good idea????

Hello all, just looking for a bit of advice..... I have recently started fishing for pike in the grand western canal in devon. Yesterday I hooked and landed a pike (huge by my standards!((around 10lb!!))). The issue is that it had a blue cable tie through its back just in front of the rear dorsal fin. No knowing what to do is reaeased it back into the water with the tag still in place. When I got home I did a little research and found an article on this website detailing an illegal tagging programme on this canal. My Question is this; What do I do if I catch another one?? Do I remove the tag and leave an open wound on the fish or do I simply release it back into the water? My gut instinct of course would be to remove the tag but yesterday unsure of weather or not this practice was oficial I simply didn't know what to do. Thanks for any advice, Russell