Can one fish really SPOOK an entire school of fish away?

[Lead Head]

Mmmmm...... I don't buy it. I think your mind plays games with you and then you start believing that the shoal moves off when you loose a fish.

I can think of lots of cases that this didn't happen. Two of us once tagged and released 9 bronze bream in one small gully. I have caught and released up to 10 kob at the same spot. I have also had the wonderful experience of fishing with the research team in the De Hoop marine reserve. These chaps regularly catch, tag and release up to 30 galjoen in one shoal! I have also witnessed a really bizarre case where my fishing partner caught a big blacktail in a gully and after tagging it, released it in the neighbouring gulley. On his very next cast he caught the same blacktail that quickly swam back to its home gully!

I think an important issue here might be 'fish handling' because it is possible that an injured or seriously stressed fish may spook others (of the same species) in the area.  Perhaps something to consider?

 

[DJP]

Sure enough there are many cases where fish will still bite after a fish has been released/lost and as said there are many variables.

One of the main reasons why fish school is for predator avoidance, the whole school reacts on the stimulus of one individual, if that individual is stressed because of being lost/released the school will react to it depending on the species.

In areas like de Hoop the fish doesn't receive much fishing pressure and thus will be less likely to be spooked by releasing/loss. Loose a galjoen at one of the popular spots in Valsbaai and chances are good the fish will go of the bite for a while.

 

[Albie Stoeder]

Just as humans sweat under stress, a fish also give off a scent when under stress. Go to a trout breeding farm and see what the workers do when they work with the fish. I know for a fact that they put an additive in the water to keep the fish more relaxed,then they stress less. If that scares the other fish away, speculation, YES!!!