Free Release Tools for Reef Fishing from Return ‘Em Right

If you bottom fish reefs in federal waters, which most states also follow, you are required to have a venting or descending device on board and ready to use by law. The good news is that there’s a way to be compliant with the law that’s 100% free thanks to a program called Return ‘Em Right!

Funded by $30 million following the Deepwater Horizon incident, the program provides fish release tools at no cost to you. They even cover the shipping.

The goal is to increase the survivability rates of fish caught in depths over 50 feet that suffer from barotrauma when they’re reeled up to the surface. This is what you see in some photos of grouper, snapper, and other reef species where their eyes are bulging and their stomachs are protruding through their mouths. It’s a result of the change in pressure from those lower depths that fish don’t have time to adjust to when they’re caught.

While it looks bad, it’s a temporary and survivable condition. However, when you don’t use proper venting or release tools, sharks, Goliath grouper, and other large predator fish often get to the fish before it can recover. Other times, they die from the trauma.

Note: This program is designed to support reef fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. While there is no specific address they won’t ship to that we’re aware of, the survey will ask which Gulf state you most frequently fish from. 

➡️ Click here to get started and get your free release tools!

Is Return ‘Em Right Legit?

I wasn’t sure if the program was legit when I first heard about it, so I went to the website to see for myself.

In order to get your free gear, you need to go through a course on how to use release tools. It took me 20 minutes to go through it, and I found the instruction very helpful. You’ll even get to see our friend, Capt. Dillan Hubbard in there.

You’ll see videos on how to use a venting tool, an automatic release descending device, and a fish release hook. There are also a few basic questions to answer along the way to make sure you’ve been paying attention.

About two weeks after I completed the course, I received a package containing an automatic descending device and fish release hook made by Seaqualizer. All I had to provide was shipping information—they don’t ask for a credit card or any other financial information.

More About Return ‘Em Right

Mission

Improving reef fish survival by equipping anglers with the knowledge and gear to confidently and successfully release reef fish.

Vision

To foster a lasting community of engaged anglers that supports the future health of Gulf of Mexico fisheries.

How Return ‘Em Right Can Give Away Free Gear

The project was funded by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group as part of the 2019 Open Ocean Restoration Plan. Beyond the headlines and movie that came out, the consequences of the Deepwater Horizon incident included the loss of trillions of fish larvae that scientists hypothesize would have otherwise led to billions of fish that reached 1 year old. Additionally, there were also substantial losses to juvenile and mature fish in the affected areas.

So, with $30 million to fund the project, Return ‘Em Right is committed to getting the right tools in the hands of anglers and ensuring they know how to use them.

If you want to learn more, you can visit their website by clicking here.

➡️ Click here to jump in and get started!

Looking for More Ways to Save Money on Your Fishing Passion?

Did you know that Salt Strong actively negotiates discounts for our Members?

From fishing gear to vacation stays and even boats, there are dozens of businesses who offer Salt Strong Members savings that the public doesn’t have access to! 

This isn’t some sort of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” arrangement, either. Salt Strong doesn’t receive any commissions, kickbacks, or finder’s fees when you take advantage of these offers. It’s about getting you the best deals we can by making sure the entire discount gets passed on to you. 

It’s one more way we add value to your Membership and another reason more than 60,000 inshore anglers have become Members. 

Ready to join? There’s no better day than today!

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