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| I am sure everyone has read the article in Esox Angler about releasing them right and hanging around with released fish. Anyone who hasn't read it should because it is a very informative article.
Unfortunately, last tuesday while on the lake I encountered a nice size fish floating (no it wasn't a carp). After stopping near the decaying fish is realized it was a very nice size fish. I used some pliers to handle the fish to see if I could determine how it had died. After turning the fish right side up it was clear. The fish was clearly caught because of the fresh tear on the right top jaw. The next thing I saw was gut wrenching too because the fish had two enourmous gashes from a prop on its head and back.
The fish measured 44.5" and was a nice fish in anyones book. I took a few quick pictures and let her float.
Steve Cady is also featured in the article with a fish hit by a prop and I am sure he will agree it is a sad site to see while out on the lake.
I'm not trying to preach or anything of that sort, but it is very important that we make sure these fish don't come back up to rest. Heavy traffic waters like the Fox Chain can be murder for an exhausted fish. Just a reminder and a suggestion to read the article.
-Phil Cali |
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| I have baby sitted a few fish this year. You can't let them sit on top like that especially with boat traffic. Just plain common sense. |
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| The best way of getting them to go down that I've found is to motor over with your electric. Run the electric fairly close to the fish and you'll see it take off!!!! It kind of makes me wonder if they do that when they're not hooked. |
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| it doesn't just happen to muskies either. Last year I had to grab a pike ten times after she swam away each time. After 1 minute she always came back up and floated on her side so my fishing buddie paddled the boat closer to the fish and we netted her or if I could reach her, I grabbed her by the tail. She had been hooked in the inside of the lower jaw (the tongue-bony plate) and I think that may have something to do with it. They usually don't put up a fight when they are hooked that way. |
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| That was such a waste.... Great looking fish!
Of course the Midge says that I took a bite out of it...
The fish showed signs of being hooked and it was found on a small recreational lake with ALOT of boat traffic.
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Release 'em right (EA) article...Steve Cady