"Fizzing" bass?

[Coyote]

Hopefully a quick question but, I had a buddy go up to the Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca today and while he was there I asked him to pick me up a needle to deflate the swim bladder from a bass caught from the depths and they told him that it is illegal in CA to "fizz" bass! Is this right? The only info I found on fizzing and it being illegal is for seabass. Now, I know for a fact that other anglers around, in tourney's and for fun, use the needle to try and spare a bass from dying. Can someone shed some light on the subject cause I still would like to get one (and use it) but I don't want to get caught by the DFG. Thanks in advance fellas....

[Smile_n_Jax]

Interesting. Don't have an answer, but I stopped at FW in Sac a couple weeks ago for the same reason. Was told they didn't have any. Wasn't told why.

[L.Hackney]

Use a hypodermic needle and if you get pulled over by Fish & Game tell them you are diabetic. LOL
I bouhgt one about a year ago, I'll go check it out and look for a name. Will re-post in a few with the info....

[bahlzar]

At don ivinos web site, they have them cheap..

[Phil Crader]

I don't know about the legality, but I buy needles at a animal feed store on Grant Line Road in Elk Grove. Most feed stores sell them. I think they are .25 or .50 each. Buy the ones with the green sleeve. They are the thicker needles and clog less often.

[L.Hackney]

My needle doesn't have a name on it. It has a piece of wood above the needle that you use as a handle. It makes it easier for fizzing them through the mouth.
I got it at Fish On bait & Tackle in Yuba City but I'm not sure if they are still there or not.

[bahlzar]

heres how its done.. http://home.surewest.net/randmallen/fizz.jpg

[Bill kizer]

Fish-On closed, they have the fizzing needles at Oroville Outdoors though.

[L.Hackney]

Here Kitty-Kitty..

[bahlzar]

meow

[nipples]

People in Manteca will tell you anything and everything is illegal. Especially if they think you will pay more for it because of that. Did he try to sell you some crack and a hooker too?

Seriously though, fizzing is NOT illegal in any US State. If FW in Manteca doesn't want to sell you a needle, that is thier loss. Here is the one I use ( fo' dollah @ USACPROSHOP aka $3.99 )...



and here is a magic link to them as well. (there is a cool little instruction sheet to follow that is rolled up in the little waterproof kit)

http://www.usacproshop.com/index.asp?Pa ... ProdID=796

Good fishing... and..er...um..fizzing..

But don't let the fuzz find you fizzing fish for fun cuz dats illegal in dat deer Manteca. (and the company that makes that there fish fizzer is in California, Yuba City I believe)

[L.Hackney]

Nipps,
that's exactly the one I have...

[nipples]

Works great and it floats when you drop it in the water. (although I have to reglue the needle to the wood once in awhile). I also find that a sharper needle doesn't clog as easily. So I sharpen mine with one of those triangular hook sharpening stones if I accidentally dull it. It was 4 bucks very well spent.

[Bill K]

Not illegal to Fizz fish, in fact at numerous tournaments where F&G officials are present and running the release boat, they will separate fizzed from non-fizzed fish and ask you when you bring your catch to them for release. Bill K

[L.Hackney]

I know this is kinda different. But I went fishing for Mack's up in Lake Tahoe with a charter service and this guy had a hand full of needles and when someone caught one he shoved it in the fish and threw it on the deck. A couple minutes later after rigging another line he would pick up the fish, remove the needle and heave-Hoe. It was like a production, let the fish flop[ around for a couple minutes while I do something then come back and let it go.

[Mark Lassagne]

For those of you who purchased the 2007 Bass Anglers Guide look on page 38 and it explains how top deflate a bass / same as fizzing. This is something that is important and I have published the procedure for the last few years.