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| This weekend having proper release tools in the boat was a life saver to a Muskie! Having a big net where the Muskie can stay submerged in the water, and a good hook cutters to cut 4 hooks, the most "surgery" that I have ever performed on a fish. My two buddies and myself all came to the conclusion that without a big net and no cutters this fish would have probably died. However it sway away good to fight another day!
Just a good reminder to all to make sure you have proper tools for the situation! |
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| This seems obvious to most on the boards here, but I am always surprised how many people fishing for musky don't have the right gear. Helped a guy release a 45" a few weeks ago, he was using a net that was more appropriate for lake trout or pike, he didn't have cutters, or a long pliers, or spreaders. And it just about killed that fish, too - after watching him struggle with it for a good 5 minutes I motored over and got it unhooked right away, but it still took about 15-20 minutes of holding it to revive it to the point it swam away strongly.
And this guy said he regularly fishes for and catches muskies.
Good reminder that unfortunately not everyone out chuckin' for skis is as prepared as the people who read this board. |
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Posts: 90
Location: Ohio | waldo - 7/5/2011 11:28 AM This seems obvious to most on the boards here, but I am always surprised how many people fishing for musky don't have the right gear. Helped a guy release a 45" a few weeks ago, he was using a net that was more appropriate for lake trout or pike, he didn't have cutters, or a long pliers, or spreaders. And it just about killed that fish, too - after watching him struggle with it for a good 5 minutes I motored over and got it unhooked right away, but it still took about 15-20 minutes of holding it to revive it to the point it swam away strongly. And this guy said he regularly fishes for and catches muskies. Good reminder that unfortunately not everyone out chuckin' for skis is as prepared as the people who read this board. How long should it take for a muskie to regain its composure if you run it back and forth in the water, well hold i tin the water, I heard pushing them back and forth isn't good for them?
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Magic8Ball - 7/5/2011 6:20 PM
waldo - 7/5/2011 11:28 AM This seems obvious to most on the boards here, but I am always surprised how many people fishing for musky don't have the right gear. Helped a guy release a 45" a few weeks ago, he was using a net that was more appropriate for lake trout or pike, he didn't have cutters, or a long pliers, or spreaders. And it just about killed that fish, too - after watching him struggle with it for a good 5 minutes I motored over and got it unhooked right away, but it still took about 15-20 minutes of holding it to revive it to the point it swam away strongly. And this guy said he regularly fishes for and catches muskies. Good reminder that unfortunately not everyone out chuckin' for skis is as prepared as the people who read this board. How long should it take for a muskie to regain its composure if you run it back and forth in the water, well hold i tin the water, I heard pushing them back and forth isn't good for them?
The bigger they are, the longer it takes. I had a 50"er take about 2 minutes in 66 degree water. I've had a 38"er take 0 seconds in 78 degree water. It's all about how fast you can get them unhooked, get a pic (if you really need one) and get them back in. |
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| A couple years ago, the DNR was doing a season long creel count on the chain where we have a cabin. They netted in the early spring and then contacted fisherman throughout the season. Got to know the veteran tech who did most the work. He has been a fisheries tech for over 30 years and he said he felt the most important change in releasing muskies safely over the years were the big, deep nets. He said he viewed them as an absolute necessity if you planned to release the fish. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Those little ones always do seem to swim away quickly. |
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| What ever you need such that you don't have to hold the fish out of the water longer than it takes you to hold your breath.
Big net, gloves, tools, camera ready.
And if you're fishing by yourself, be sure to have the hook cutters where you can reach them with one hand, in case your other hand is sharing a big bait with thrashing fish.
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| Had a fella stop to see me last week on the reccomendation of a friend. He was looking for ideas (as a non-musky person) on what to take to Canada for a week long musky trip. I told him that I thought the single most important thing to make certain to have at the ready was a tool capable of being held in one hand and able to cut the center shank of the largest trebble on the largest lure in the boat. He said, "So, you are one of those guys who really is into making a good release of the fish?" I replied, "Not at all, I am one of those guys really into making a good release of myself!" Clearly, I pride myself on really being a steward of the fishery I love....but a hook that is in me or my partner takes an immediate first place in the race for attention. Sooner, or later it's going to happen to you, maybe in the worst possible place and time, out in the middle of nowhere. Don't leave this tool at home or untried at its most important task. Marty Forman |
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| God Marty, are you ever right!
Here's a true story.
My father and I are musky fishing up in Conover, WI. A boat launches and we hear the song "Smoke on the Water" coming out of the boat. Over and over on a loop this songs plays...loudly. This is an Alumacraft boat with two white eskimo dogs in it. Guy comes close to us and catches a 35 inch musky...alone. Instead of netting it, he reaches down with one hand to pick it up, which he does. The musky shakes and the man lets go, only to have his Bucher baby depthraider impale two barbs into his hand. Here's the thing, the muskie is attached to another treble.
This guy drops his pole to grab the fish to relieve pressure on his hand. Only now he cannot unhook the fish...or himself. Frantically he looks at us, so we troll over with our bolt cutters. Snip, snip and he is free. Another quick snip and the fish is free. Guy doesn't even say "thank you". Instead he guns the boat to the launch, presumably to head to hospital. Dad and I revive that fish...successfully.
Funny thing seeing a muskie attached to a bait attached to a hand...thrashing around. Still wish that guy would have thanked us.
Fast forward two weeks and I'm back up north with my two best friends and we are musky fishing the same area. I tell the story and my buddies call "bs" on me. When all of a sudden we hear "Smoke on the Water" and out comes an Alumacraft from the launch with two white dogs riding in front. Boat comes up next to us and here's a guy casting away with a huge gauze bandage on his hand! They owed me a shotgunned beer for not believing my story.
Anyway, gotta have those release tools, you never know when you will need them.
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Location: Columbus, Georgia | Now that is a good story! |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | did he say thank you when you saw him the second time?
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| Dude never even waived to us the second time. |
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Location: Ohio | vegas492 - 7/7/2011 12:06 PM Dude never even waived to us the second time. That is gratitude for ya 
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Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/videos/02.13.2008/766/Tools.and.Tec... |
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| "Funny thing seeing a muskie attached to a bait attached to a hand...thrashing around."
Not funny when you're the one attached to the fish, alone on remote waters. But very interesting as the shock begins to hit and you lose control of your senses and pass out. You don't know you're passing out until you wake back up, just like a N2O dream except you're injured. |
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