Introducing the

 Git-R-Down

 Barotrauma Reversing Fish Release

The worlds first mechanical deep water fish release.

My name is Ace Callaway and I am a retired Charter Captain from Alaska. 

For many years I have struggled with the problems of barotrauma in fish caught out of deep water.  After reading about a three year study done by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department, which showed that mortality could be almost totally eliminated if the fish were returned immediately to their original environment and atmospheric pressure, I started to try to figure out an effective, simple and low cost device that would accomplish this. 

 Baskets, which were used in the original study, were not feasible and the methods using either a bent wire or a barbless fish hook and a weight did not give the results needed to ensure that the fish was taken back down to the full depth and was also not injured in the process by points puncturing the stomach.  These styles of devices have a major problem with fish getting off before being at a depth that they can fully recover.   “Venting”, by puncturing the body cavity, was also not an option as studies have proven this method to have an extremely high mortality rate.

  Just because you see the fish swim off or he doesn’t float back to the surface doesn’t mean he will live when using these methods.

A fully automatic release that insured the fish was returned to the atmospheric pressure he was taken from was needed.After many trials and tests I have finally come up with a Patent Pending (#60858778) design that worked 100% of the time during the test trials done for a full season in Prince William Sound.

My release, which will be marketed under the name, "Git-R-Down"Barotrauma Reversing Fish Release, will work on any species of fish, both fresh and salt water, that is suffering from the effects of barotrauma.It is a simple design that can be used in conjunction with any standard downrigger or large rod and reel combo.It uses a weight, supplied by angler, which holds the jaws shut on the fish's mouth until it reaches the bottom.

Upon hitting the bottom, the weight is relieved from the device, which causes the jaws to open automatically, releasing the fish.The reason the weight is supplied by the angler is to make the device work for ANY size of fish that he wishes to be released.For most fish under 10# pounds in weight, a lead weight of two to three pounds can be used or the weight can be increased to work with much larger or trophy sized fish that the angler wishes to release unharmed. We have used weights up to 15# to release very large fish easily and the device is designed for use with weights up to 30#.The jaws do NOT lock.They are held closed by the weight.This is a very important feature.With 2# of weight on the device, the jaws will hold over 25# of pressure on the jaws because of their unique design so it takes a lot of force to get the jaws to release.We also found that on the rare occasion that a fish can pull the jaws open, on his own, he has fully recovered. Our tests show this will not occur until the fish has submerged to more than an adequate depth for recovery. The main reason we designed in this "safety" is in the rare case of a much larger fish taking the fish as food on it's decent.This did occur a few times with lingcod in the Prince William Sound when attempting to release very small rock fish and with locked jaws there was a chance of loosing your gear. We almost lost a downrigger in early testing. 

With non-locking jaws this proved to no longer be a concern.

We are excited about getting this product produced and on the market quickly and are working with some major manufacturers at this time on an agreement.

Until that time we will try to keep up with orders by hand made and machined production at our new shop in Colorado.  The body is totally machined from aluminum and uses all stainless parts. The entire device is only 12” in length and weighs approx. 1# without a weight attached. The jaws are coated for further protection of the fish while in use.

Please join myself and others who are dedicated to preserving our fishing grounds.  We are the stewards of our sport.  Fish responsibly.