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Posts: 104
| At a recent club meeting, the topic of fish handling was brought up. I said that I don't like to hear experienced musky anglers say things similar to, "I caught three small ones yesterday, 24, 29 and 30 inchers." To me that means excessive handling of the fish, bringing them unnecessarily into the boat, setting them on a bump board, floor of the boat, etc. to get a measurement.
I was attacked and almost everybody disagreed with me. I realize there is proper and improper handling, but I still think that the less handling, the better. Please note that my beliefs apply only to experienced musky anglers. I don't see any reason for a seasoned angler to bring a 26" fish into the boat and measure it. I have no problems at all with kids or new musky anglers measuring their "small" fish.
What are your thoughts? |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | 100 percent agree. No shame in measuring one if you haven't caught very many. But who care how long it is if you're experienced? I usually don't measure anything under about 42 and if it's hot out and I sense a fish a stressed, I don't measure it no matter what the size. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I would think the younger ones would be able to handle the stress of capture better than the old giants. Besides, they better get used to it if they are in a lake that gets fished by folks on Muskie First.
I've shook off some smaller ones, I've also had to net then and hold them to get the dang bait outta they mouth, too. The extra move to the bump board isn't that bad if you're prepared. Besides, I've found it's the little ones that will hook ya, get you every time. m |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Tough question. Not sure why a double standard is OK here. If anything, an experienced angler has better fish handling capabilities so for them to meausure a small fish would have less impact on the fish than an inexperienced angler measuring one. To debate the NEED to measure a small one is also a matter of opinion and kinda futile. Same argument would apply for the need to take a photo. As I age... um.. mature.... I've come to realize that musky anglers all go through an evolution. Where you are on the evolution scale is different for everyone. My recommendation is to worry less about others and do what makes you feel good and enjoy the sport. Just because I may choose not to measure a 40 incher doesn't mean I should expect my friends to do the same. If measuring a small fish makes them feel good... have at it. That's why we go fishing, isn't it? For the enjoyment? In all scenarios, I'd assume the angler has a respect for the fish. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I hear this often, and I get it....but small fish don’t get stressed to the same degree or even close. They take off like a rocket for a reason. A lot of guys put them on the board as you have to hit 30” to register for MI. It’s really not a big deal. Like was just said above, at times it’s best to not worry about what others are doing
Edited by Musky Brian 3/15/2019 8:03 AM
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Posts: 1220
| The answer is that most of the guys I know are able to judge a fish in the water within a half inch. For the rest of you, I promise to take your word for it. It’s just not that important to know exactly too much of the time. |
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Posts: 386
| Each person has the right to measure whatever they want. Personally, I don't even take them out of the water until mid 40's. To me it just doesn't matter but if someone wants a bunch of pictures of 35" fish then knock yourself out. I think it's a waste of time. Bite windows are getting shorter and shorter and the last thing I want is to be messing around with a sub 40. |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I wonder how many tournaments have a minimum of 30" for a fish to count. No way around it there... If it is even close to 30, it's getting measured.
Personally, I don't think setting it down on a board for a mere 5 seconds or so is really anything to be worried about. Unhook the fish, let it rest in the net while you get gear out of the way, board ready, etc. Grab the fish, measure and picture if you choose, and all can be done in under a minute, and it's back in the water. The fish will be fine...
Oh...and I think one must consider the body of water as well. Consider some of the lakes in the country where a 36" fish is a big fish... Would a 40" Shoepack not be worthy of a picture? What about a 30" tiger that is rare? I agree with JLong here....futile argument. Go have fun...take pictures...measure...record your catches...It's about enjoying this sport and having good memories from it...especially when you can fish with friends and family.
I also believe that the younger fish are definitely more capable of handling the stress...Think about it for a moment... Lets say you have kids that are only 5 - 8 years old...you play with them for a while, chasing around outside.... Unless you are in great shape, you'll tire out and they still have energy to go another hour or two...
Steve
Edited by VMS 3/15/2019 8:43 AM
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Location: The desert | I just post them here and wait for the experts to tell me how long it was. That’s actually quicker than measuring. |
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Location: oconomowoc, wi | Pointerpride102 - 3/15/2019 10:20 AM
I just post them here and wait for the experts to tell me how long it was. That’s actually quicker than measuring.
vertically? |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | There was a famous fishing personality who is not really in the game any longer. I remember one episode in which he had a partner with him who unfortunately had to take away his time by catching a 38”ish fish. He tried his subtle best to dissuade the guy in getting a picture , but to no avail.
....I told myself I will never become that guy
Edited by Musky Brian 3/15/2019 10:56 AM
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Location: oswego, il | Can't we just expell these people from the continent? |
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Location: Tomahawk, WI | Why is it that we feel we need to pass judgement on an angler that wants to measure a fish, regaurdless of size? The one thing I see that devides all anglers is the need of other anglers to tell us what is right. The idea that we shoud look down on an angler because he/she measures a fish is rediculous. |
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| I agree with all of you. There really is no right or wrong way. It all comes down to personal opinion for each fisherman. I don't usually take any fish out of the water when water temps are about 70 or higher. The bigger fish do seem to get stressed easier, maybe it's because of old age. Probably similar to like a 20 year old running a marathon compared to a 70 year old running a marathon. I don't really take many pictures at all in general but I would never judge someone if they want pictures of any size fish. I just like fishing, not in it for the pictures.
Edited by Baby Mallard 3/15/2019 1:08 PM
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| For the record: I’m not lying awake over this, or even having very strong feelings. These are just opinions about a hobby, and a forum for airing them. When I post my opinion, I’m not telling you what to do. I don’t even care what you do. Measure any fish you like and be healthy and happy. And, God Bless...this is just about fishing. I prefer to release the smaller fish with as little handling as possible, but you should do what feels right to you. |
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Posts: 8782
| I used to measure and photograph every fish. Then one day I caught one about 30" and thought "Do I need to know if that fish is 29" or 31"? If it looks to be 45" or over? Sure. That's a nice fish. Not that the small ones aren't nice too, but How many pictures of a 38" fish do I need? I'd rather dump them out of the net and get back to fishing for a bigger one.
I'm sure not going to fault anyone for taking pictures or measurements, though. More power too 'ya if you want to mess around trying to keep a 30"er still long enough for a picture. I don't even like reaching into the net to unhook them when they're that size. I'd rather unhook a 4 footer. They usually just sit there. |
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Location: Waukee, IA | If its someone's first fish or a little kid catching it I would not feel bad measuring it. For me, personally, I'm not measuring it until I think its nearing 45 inches unless I'm fishing a match or tournament. Sometimes if it's been a long time between fish I'll measure if I think it's over 40, but historically most upper 30s and lower 40s fish I catch don't touch the board, especially if the water is warm. |
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Posts: 104
| My apologies banditman if it seemed that I was passing judgment or looking down upon somebody for measuring a fish. That was not my intent. I simply thought the less handling, touching the floor of the boat, out of the water, etc. the better for the fish. |
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Posts: 553
Location: deephaven mn | I agree with Jlong.
I don't measure many, over fifty matters to me, don't like netting the same ones
my friend an accomplished fisherman had a small fish on and i asked me to net it and i asked if he was sure about that.he said he wanted to measure it for club points i said its a 31 he said lets measure. It was 30 1/2 he should have taken the 31
ha ha
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| Junkman - 3/15/2019 8:14 AM
The answer is that most of the guys I know are able to judge a fish in the water within a half inch. For the rest of you, I promise to take your word for it. It’s just not that important to know exactly too much of the time.
I suck at judging fish in the water. they always look smaller that what were measured. I no longer bother holding fish if under mid 40's unless my kid caught it as he wants to know. |
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Location: oswego, il | I have found that sometimes it's the fish that wants to know. |
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Location: Ashland WI | ToddM - 3/16/2019 4:13 PM
I have found that sometimes it's the fish that wants to know.
Does this mean it would be a jerk move not to say it (the length) out loud? |
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Location: ITALY | Kirby Budrow - 3/15/2019 2:45 PM
100 percent agree. No shame in measuring one if you haven't caught very many. But who care how long it is if you're experienced? I usually don't measure anything under about 42 and if it's hot out and I sense a fish a stressed, I don't measure it no matter what the size.
I agree with you, I try not to measure pikes lower than 39 ... especially with hot water ... I don't judge who does it but the fish that I consider small I try to handle them as little as possible |
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Location: oswego, il | What happens if you measure a pike you think is 40 and it's only 39 3/4"? I know I am missing sleep over it. |
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| ToddM - 3/16/2019 6:59 PM
What happens if you measure a pike you think is 40 and it's only 39 3/4"? I know I am missing sleep over it.
too big to eat. too small to care. kinda locked in the middle of who cares. |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | mnmusky - 3/16/2019 7:51 PM
ToddM - 3/16/2019 6:59 PM
What happens if you measure a pike you think is 40 and it's only 39 3/4"? I know I am missing sleep over it.
too big to eat. too small to care. kinda locked in the middle of who cares.
Pike? Who measures pike?!?!? |
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Location: ITALY | ToddM - 3/17/2019 1:59 AM
What happens if you measure a pike you think is 40 and it's only 39 3/4"? I know I am missing sleep over it.
I don't make a problem of it  ... if I judge that it is worth it I measure it, otherwise I release it immediately |
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Location: ITALY | Kirby Budrow - 3/17/2019 3:22 AM
mnmusky - 3/16/2019 7:51 PM
ToddM - 3/16/2019 6:59 PM
What happens if you measure a pike you think is 40 and it's only 39 3/4"? I know I am missing sleep over it.
too big to eat. too small to care. kinda locked in the middle of who cares.
Pike? Who measures pike?!?!?
I ... unfortunately here in Italy the musky there isn't ... sigh! |
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| Cicciospin - 3/17/2019 5:06 AM
I don't make a problem of it ... if I judge that it is worth it I measure it, otherwise I release it immediately
Ciccio, you are blessed to have giant pike over there in Europe. I would love to be able to catch some like that. What is your biggest one? |
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| Get the small ones off and back in the water ASAP.... we're in a window, baits in the water |
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Location: ITALY | madmurph - 3/17/2019 2:32 PM
Cicciospin - 3/17/2019 5:06 AM
I don't make a problem of it ... if I judge that it is worth it I measure it, otherwise I release it immediately
Ciccio, you are blessed to have giant pike over there in Europe. I would love to be able to catch some like that. What is your biggest one?
My biggest is 51" and several over 45 " |
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Location: oswego, il | Can you be arrested by the musky police for measuring a pike? |
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Posts: 612
| I done creel surveys for DEC. They request measurements of all pike, walleye, musky and bass caught for the given year. This is used to assess the status of fish in the lake for stocking - habitat considerations. So yes this year I'll likely be using the bump board on all fish caught large - small. |
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Posts: 1209
| I don't measure fish that appear under 42" or so, I also don't figure 8 small fish anymore, even in a tournament but that was an accident because of how I fish haha. I will take 38"+ around but the smalls when I get a good look only get a single turn and lift out. For me and where I have came in musky fishing it is not important, I will not judge others as long as there isn't a trail of floating small fish behind them. Not worth damaging the fish's mouth or slowing me down looking for 47"+ |
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| NPike - 3/17/2019 2:39 PM
I done creel surveys for DEC. They request measurements of all pike, walleye, musky and bass caught for the given year. This is used to assess the status of fish in the lake for stocking - habitat considerations. So yes this year I'll likely be using the bump board on all fish caught large - small.
Interesting point. About 10 years ago, the WI DNR did a creel survey on the chain where I now live. The tech doing the work introduced himself, explained what they were doing and asked that I log any game fish I caught and make particular note if they had a fin clip. As it happened I caught a low 30s fish opening day, with a fresh fin clip. I called the office on Monday, curious as to the gender of the fish. At first I was told that no, they had not done that fin clip. Then he looked at the notes and said, "oh yeah, we had one in that lake we could not determine gender and that was what we did". They had netted it less than 200 yards from where I caught it. I saw the tech on the weekends and when I was on vacation and he always inquired as to what I had caught. The creel survey, the fyke netting in the spring and some shocking supplied the data they used to determine the numbers and size structure of game fish in the chain. |
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Posts: 306
| A few years back I had a <30" not recover. It inhaled a bulldawg 2 turns into the retrieve and I had to cut the hooks so it took a little longer than I'd like. It really bothered me (now I pinch the barb on the top hook), and shortly after I read that the younger fish are very sensitive to being handled if they recently spawned because like a teenager, they don't know how to control themselves and end up on the brink of complete exhaustion.
I'm not gonna yell at a rookie that wants to measure a small one, because I was there once, but I think most figure out pretty quick that a sub 30" fish isn't worth bragging about.
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Location: oswego, il | So fish learn how to fight while being hooked over time? |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | I agree completely with Booch! |
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| ToddM - 3/18/2019 8:33 AM
So fish learn how to fight while being hooked over time?
Yes. Dont you watch wicked tuna?
They say all the time , this one has been caught before and knows what to do. |
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Location: oswego, il | Sudszee - 3/18/2019 12:18 PM
ToddM - 3/18/2019 8:33 AM
So fish learn how to fight while being hooked over time?
Yes. Dont you watch wicked tuna?
They say all the time , this one has been caught before and knows what to do.
So they can learn to fight when hooked but not to eat a lure? |
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| No... they are exhausted from chasing the ladies. |
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| ToddM - 3/18/2019 12:47 PM
Sudszee - 3/18/2019 12:18 PM
ToddM - 3/18/2019 8:33 AM
So fish learn how to fight while being hooked over time?
Yes. Dont you watch wicked tuna?
They say all the time , this one has been caught before and knows what to do.
So they can learn to fight when hooked but not to eat a lure?
Nothing can resist a free, pretty lure |
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Posts: 1000
| outside of a tournament situation, i don't think its worth it to measure sub-40 inchers. They have a talent for messing up your hands (and your day).
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Location: Illinois | I haven’t measured any of the past 2 seasons fish that came into my boat. I have taken a quick picture here and there but nothing has been over 40” or so. If I am fortunate to have a Muskie worthy of measuring hit my net this season I will. |
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Posts: 427
| WE use a sliding "scale" to determine length in the water
!) Sub. Less than 30 or so
2) 30 something
3) good one over 40 but less than 46
4) Hawg! close to 47 or bigger
5) Might be a PB. Only ones we put on the bump board.
6) All fish are always unhooked and released while in the net in the water. Just how we communicate size. After several hundred fish size estimates are close enough. Works for us and the fish.
Edited by 7ovr50 3/27/2019 5:06 PM
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Location: Ames, Iowa | I put em on the gunwhale for a quick length unless they're micro minis then I just marvel at how pretty those little devils are. 20 somethings go right into the water. 30's get measured. Big girls are measured of course then go back in the net for any potential resusitation. |
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Location: Aurora | ToddM - 3/18/2019 8:33 AM
So fish learn how to fight while being hooked over time?
Yes. Dont you watch wicked tuna?
They say all the time , this one has been caught before and knows what to do.
So they can learn to fight when hooked but not to eat a lure?
Silly Todd.. What they're talking about is conditioning.
Once hooked, the fight to the boat is like a workout of sorts. Remember, the brain is a muscle too and fish are much more capable of increasing muscle mass and endurance over short periods of time than humans are. The concept is hard to grasp but within just a few seconds they're in much better physical shape than they were prior to getting hooked and in turn, their brain is also. Think.. Moose Mason from the Archie Comics smart, not math problem solving smart..
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Location: oswego, il | Interesting, easily conditioned to fight capture, just not avoid it. |
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| If muskies were as smart as we give them credit for they'd be walking on land by now... |
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Location: Plover, WI | I don't even bother setting the hook on any fish that doesn't feel mid 40's... |
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| c44hmusky - 4/1/2019 7:17 PM
I don't even bother setting the hook on any fish that doesn't feel mid 40's...
I call bull#*#* |
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Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | esoxaddict - 4/1/2019 8:04 PM
c44hmusky - 4/1/2019 7:17 PM
I don't even bother setting the hook on any fish that doesn't feel mid 40's...
I call bull#*#* |
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| Haha |
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Location: Contrarian Island | as others have pointed out, the smaller ones are a lot easier to handle and less likely to get hurt in the measuring process than big ones.. I've witnessed far too many clue babies mishandling fish, dropping fish, and taking extended photo sessions of large ones than small ones... if a guy wants to measure it for whatever reason, it won't hurt the fish... by all means to each their own....
Edited by BNelson 4/2/2019 9:35 AM
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| c44hmusky - 4/1/2019 7:17 PM
I don't even bother setting the hook on any fish that doesn't feel mid 40's...
I can't believe you fish on water with fish that small! Have you no shame? |
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Posts: 387
Location: SW Ohio | Wow, with all the things we have to squabble about we pick whether someone should measure a "small" fish. LOL. Got a license? Measure your fish if you want. I'll take your picture if you need me to. |
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Location: oswego, il | I tend to keep a fish out of the water longer than most. I prefer an oil painting. |
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| If I catch one under 30", I just clobber the SOB and eat it raw. Saves me the trouble of having to stop for lunch and as a bonus their P-poor genes are removed from the gene pool.
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Posts: 104
| Many comments about having the right to do what one chooses, not criticizing others for their choices, etc. So please, nobody judge me when I fish in 85 degree water temps this summer and post photos of fish from said water while holding them vertically.
Edited by madmurph 4/3/2019 7:17 AM
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Location: The desert | I only measure fish if the relative humidity is high enough. The higher moisture content of the air allows them to breathe out of water for a little bit. |
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Location: oswego, il | madmurph - 4/3/2019 7:00 AM
Many comments about having the right to do what one chooses, not criticizing others for their choices, etc. So please, nobody judge me when I fish in 85 degree water temps this summer and post photos of fish from said water while holding them vertically.
You really should consider the health of the fish in conditions like this. It is vitally important when you do catch one in these conditions that you put sunscreen on them.
If you do decide to measure a fish under 40", do it when no one is watching. If you feel the need to share, do so in a support group, the breakdown can be helped by people who care.
Edited by ToddM 4/3/2019 9:13 AM
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| I honestly think some lakes have too many muskies in them. I am after one big fish, I don't really care about numbers of nice fish anymore. The less numbers of fish in a lake allows for the potential for a muskie to grow bigger in said lake. A lot of lakes that I have fished in the past have a lot of nice fish in them but nothing crazy big. I water realease my small fish to make sure that upper 50" class has something to eat...kidding of course. I actually water release most of my fish no matter the size....I've handled enough of them already. |
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Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | esoxaddict - 4/1/2019 8:04 PM
c44hmusky - 4/1/2019 7:17 PM
I don't even bother setting the hook on any fish that doesn't feel mid 40's...
I call bull#*#*
I think you hooked a BIG one! |
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| If anyone is interested in reading an article based on science regarding this topic, Jordan Weeks published a story in the Feb/March 2018 issue of Musky Hunter magazine. |
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