I’ve been working on tagging various fish species for an ongoing research project in the Gulf of Mexico, and I’m curious about the methods you all use. I’ve found that using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags offers some interesting data on the migratory patterns of species like the red drum, but I’m encountering challenges with fish size variability. What tagging solutions have proven effective for you in the field?
I’ve also struggled with size variability during tagging. I’ve found that using size-specific tag placements can help minimize complications. For red drum, testing different tag types at various sizes really improved our data quality.
It’s tricky with size variability. I’ve had success using smaller tags for the juvenile red drum; it helps with retention. Have you considered testing different placements, like behind the dorsal fin? 
.