Rockfish Descenders

We were amazed that 3 wouldn't do it. I am glad that we were on a power boat with lots of gear. I can only imagine what, those big cowcod are going to take.

How about popping the bladder, when there is not enough weight on hand to sink the fish?

I use one of those free safety pin style descenders. I’ve had to descend lots of fish caught in 50’ to 120’ of water. The talk of pounds of weight is confusing as I’ve been using 4-12 oz weights. Admittedly a 20”+ YE caught in only 50’ did take the upper amount and I’ve retired the 4oz option. Reeling them up slower also helps.
I know from the video that their eyes go back in and they swim off, but I would like to see some sort of health follow up to see if they are damaged. Maybe release them into an aquarium to monitor their long term prognosis.

I landed this 28 inch YE last season in 100'. Took several pounds of lead to descend her. The string of lead balls hanging off the Shelton was almost comical. Since rockfish have a 'physoclistous' swim bladder, the gas exchange from it only occurs via the bloodstream. I guess if you reeled them up painfully sloooow, you might see a difference in barotrauma severity. Never tried it myself. Salmon and trout have 'physostomous' swim bladders that include a duct connecting the swim bladder to the stomach, so they can easily "burp" excess air if being reeled up from depth.

I know from the video that their eyes go back in and they swim off, but I would like to see some sort of health follow up to see if they are damaged. Maybe release them into an aquarium to monitor their long term prognosis.

A quick search using Google Scholar produces a slew of articles studying survival rates of descended rockfish suffering from barotrauma. Here's one on black rockfish: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2761.2012.01345.x

Another one on various SoCal spp of rockfish: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/F08-071

How about popping the bladder, when there is not enough weight on hand to sink the fish?

Don’t Vent

Some anglers may have heard about “venting”, or puncturing a fish’s body or the protruding esophagus to allow gas to escape and the fish to swim down on its own. This is not recommended as it can cause serious injury or introduce infection to the fish. Keeping the fish intact and sending it down below 66 feet gives it the best chance of survival.

(From ODFW)

Good info not too long:

This gives me some ideas too

This gives me some ideas too

I like this one quite a bit! Now my fish grips can run triple duty as a fish gripper, a kickstand for my cart and now a descender.

I have been using Shelton Fish Descender with a total of 28 oz ( 8oz+8oz+12oz) weight. 
It is a very simple setup and very effective in releasing fish. 
I have purchased extra to encourage people to use them.
During our hookups, ask for one if you want to try it; it is free.

Paul