Or bus, if we happen to get a big group from Atlanta. We do get a lot of undersized trout, and handling them well before the release seems good insurance for tomorrow. I generally grab the smaller trout as they are swung aboard, and remove the hook without squeezing the fish. If the leadhead hook is swallowed, its generally too bad for the fish. The majority of caught trout are undersized, so it behooves anglers and the fishery to take care of these fish before releasing them.
Undersized fish are the classic sign of overfishing, a problem found in many parts of the world.
The problem is, small trout are fairly delicate, especially in warm water. And not just the waiting pelicans. The vast majority of fishing guide trips along Florida's Coastal Bend are still for trout. This area carries a number of marine species, but most are caught incidentally while on trout trips. A typical guided trip might result in a half dozen to a dozen trout, a flounder, a couple of Spanish mackerel, maybe a pompano, and a scattering of black seabass, of which we have a great many.