Questions about catch and release are settled the same way as any other fishing question: by checking the authorities before the trip. Local fishing regulations are the authority on which fish may be kept and which must be released, including size limits, seasons, and protected species. The manufacturer's specifications and guidance are the authority on the gear. General advice found elsewhere is not a substitute for either. This guide covers checking the rules that apply to your water, reading a jigging reel listing's stated figures, and caring for the gear per the maker.
Local regulations are the authority on keep and release
Which fish can be kept, which must be released, and how a fish must be handled are set by the fishing regulations that apply to the water being fished. Those rules define size limits, seasons, protected species, and any required handling practices, and they differ by location and change over time. Check the current rules for the specific water before the trip, and follow them as stated rather than relying on general advice. When a rule is unclear, the local fisheries authority is the party to ask.
An example: the Abyss Jigger Gen 1 listing
The GOOFISH Abyss Jigger Gen 1 jigging reel listing states a 6.08:1 gear ratio, CNC-machined aluminum construction, a 9+2 stainless steel bearing configuration, a listed reference retrieve of 30.06 inches per handle turn, Blue/Silver or Navy Blue/Gold colors, and separate left- and right-hand retrieve options, offered for vertical and slow-pitch jigging setups. Those are the maker's stated figures for the product; the listing does not state further specifications, so ask the maker about anything else you need to know.
Reading the gear listings
The reel listing's stated figures are read together with the rod listing's stated figures before buying either. The rod listing states the rod's power, action, and line rating, and the reel listing states the reel's drag and line capacity figures, and the complete outfit is matched per product guidance rather than from general rules. Our jigging reel collection lists the stated specifications for each reel, and our rod collections list the stated figures for each rod.
Care and handling per the maker
The listing's stated construction describes the materials the reel was built from, and the manufacturer's guidance is the authority on caring for it. Follow the maker's stated care instructions rather than general advice, and settle anything the listing leaves unclear with the manufacturer. For handling practices on the water, the local regulations and the makers' stated guidance are the authorities, not general tips.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides which fish may be kept?
The local fishing regulations for the water being fished. They define size limits, seasons, and protected species, and the local fisheries authority is the party to ask when a rule is unclear.
What should be read in a jigging reel listing?
The maker's stated figures and options, such as the stated gear ratio, bearings, retrieve, colors, and stated use. Those figures are the manufacturer's specification, and anything not stated should be confirmed with the maker.
Who is the authority on gear care?
The manufacturer. Follow the maker's stated care instructions for the reel's stated construction rather than general advice.
Check the rules, read the listings
Questions about catch and release start with the authorities: the local regulations that govern the water, read alongside the gear listings' stated figures and the makers' care guidance. Check the rules before the trip, compare the listings, and let the stated documents settle anything unclear. That is the whole method.
