Submitting Records

It’s important to submit your records as soon as possible after tagging fish.  The following gives a quick guide on how to provide the data to Suntag.

Step 1 – Get The Infofish Trip Sheet

In 2006 Infofish introduced a standardised trip sheet that simplifies the process of recording data.  As a result the data provided under suntag is of a standard that enables us to provide high quality feedback to fishers and even predict the future of fish stocks.

Download the Infofish Trip form (Excel)

1. Fill out the form and save with a unique name
2. When filled out, email the finished form to infofish australia
3. Optionally there is an upload form accessible via Suntag Online

Step 2 – Need help filling out the forms?

The form has built in instructions and help on the additional sheets.

Where ever there is a red triangle in the upper-right corner, there is help for what data is required in a field.  Hover over cells with the red triangles to view the additional help text.

Step 3 – What Data to Record

There are several sections to provide data on

• Base Data (always required)
• Injury Data (optional – record where injuries occur)
• Gear Data (optional but highly desired)
• Hooking Data (optional – used for specific projects, not critical)

Step 4 – Record Basic Data

Trip Information is at the top.  At a minimum, please record:

• Trip Code (your initials and a sequential number for each trip recorded are sufficient
• Boat Ramp
• Number of Fishers
• Start Date

The key data to be recorded for a trip for each fish is:

• Tag Number (including any prefix letters)
• Person who caught the fish
• Species
• Date fish was caught
• Total & Fork Length (to the nearest 5mm)
• General description of location
• Map & Grid that the fish was caught in (Very Important)
• Release Condition (1-5)
• Fate (always TR for tagged fish)
• Fishing Method (Bait, Lure, Fly)

Step 5 – Injury Data (Optional)

If there are any injuries where possible record them so we can continually assess and improve our techniques.

• Swim Bladder Condition (N = no barotrauma, S = stomach hard, G = gut out, E = eyes bulging, SE = stomach hard and eyes bulging)
• Swim Bladder Treatment (N = no treatment, V = vented, AV = anal vented, S = shot line)
• Water Depth (Metres)
• Bleeding (N = no bleeding, L = light bleeding, B = heavy bleeding, T = bleeding from tag)
• Injury (N = no injury, E = eye, G = gill, J – jaw)

Step 6 – Gear Data (Optional but Highly Desired)

Gear data is increasingly important.  Where possible record the tackle used.

• Lure Bait Size
• Lure Bait Description
• Line Type
• Line Strength

Step 7 – Hooking Data (Optional)

Hooking data has been used in the past to assess the impact of different hook types on survival rates.  Much of this is now well understood so recording of this data is not compulsory.

• Hook Location
• Hook left in fish
• Hook type
• Hook size
• Hook Description
• Hook Barb
• Number of Hooks