Questions about deflatting air bladders?

[skeeterjames]

I was watching some fishing that I had saved on DVR and was watching the Elite Series up in NY where they were catching smallies very deep. I bet i have watched this one at least a dozen times but noticed something for the first time last night. Aaron Martens sticks a good smallie and as soon as he gets it in the boat, he immediatley sticks a hypodermic needle into its mouth and after a couple of seconds, you hear a large release of air from the fish and he begins to squeeze the belly of the fish. I have never seen this done before and was wondering if this was just for smallies or if other fish can be done this way. I have heard that on largemouths and spots you are to count up a certain number of scales from the anus, but have never seen this done either.

Any info on this would be greatly appriciated.

Skeeter

[Gregory]

This is a good link

http://www.dalehollowfishing.com/fis...nu-id-174.html

[bereabasser]

any fish can be done i guess,LM's can for sure,just ask RC5,he saved about 5 at the thanksgiving tourny

[RC5]

Just stick a syringe without the plunger right above the gullet (mouth hole) about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch above and right between the crushers, it’s the two fleshy looking things that are shaped like kidney beans. Stick the needle about an inch in or so until you start hearing air come out, then slowly squeeze the belly till you don’t hear anything else coming out then slide her into the water.

[stratos185]

Thanks Gregory for the link. I ordered one of the "Bends Mender" Monday, got it in the mail today. I probably will never catch a bass from deep water, but if by chance I do, I will be ready to deflate.