Utah Fish Report

Largemouth bass are often found in deep water (20-40 feet) during the winter. Bass brought up from depths of over 20 feet often struggle to swim back down because the air bladder overinflates with decreasing water pressure at the surface. Some anglers like to "fizz" the fish by inserting a needle in the fish's side and deflating the air bladder. While the fish may swim away, this is highly discouraged because puncturing the air bladder makes it difficult for the fish to regulate its buoyancy until the puncture heals. There is also a high chance you may puncture other organs and infections may occur at the wound or internally. A better alternative is to use a descending device or a weighted milk crate tied upside down to a rope to carry the fish back down to the depth where you caught it.