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| Two days ago I was fishing on my favorite remote musky waters in my 14' tiller drive boat. I was on a 300 acre flooded strip mine with a ton of standing timber, when I found myself in deep trouble.
I was using needlenose pliers to boatside release a lightly hooked 36-38" ski when the fish thrashed wildly and I suddenly found myself also hooked, badly, on the rear of a Poes Jackpot. One hook was buried to the shank over the lowest knuckle of my trigger finger. The hook tip was protruding almost 2" from where the hook entered the back of my hand. The fish started up again, and once the fish stopped thrashing, I finished unhooking the fish (somehow I never dropped the pliers!) and leaned back to take stock of my situation.
There was one other guy on the water, about 300 yards from me, and I thought maybe I should get help. I started the motor and began threading my way through the standing timber toward the other fisherman. At one point I put the motor in neutral and tried to pull the hook out, but it was too painful and the hook wouldn't budge. So I resumed my slow troll toward the other guy, again, threading my way through the trees. I suddenly began sweating, became light headed and I thought to myslef, "Jeeze, am I going to pass out?"
I woke up when I ran right smack into a tree trunk. I can recall the BOOM! sound very clearly. When I came to I was hanging over the right side of the boat, my head was in the water and I was dragging my right arm and hooked hand in the water. I think I was sliding over the side of the boat at the moment I hit the tree, but I can't recall for sure. The boat's impact may have thrown me forward and into the water, too. I didn't inhale any water but my head was all wet. I noticed I had traveled about 50 yards since I passed out, I was much closer to the other guy. I went a surprisingly long distance before I hit something, though I may have bounced off some trees before I woke up.
Passing out was the most dangerours part, by far, of my experience. Had I fallen in the water, had the lure hooked onto a passing tree trunk, had the lure hooked into my leg in the water, etc., I would have been in real bad trouble. Maybe/probably drowned. I should have put my life jacket on ASAP after releasing the fish.
I got close enough to call out to the other fisherman and he came over to help me. The first thing he did was cut the split ring so I was no longer dangling the entire lure from my hand. Looking back, I was too shocky to realize I needed to cut the hook away from the lure - I had been dangling the lure right along, even pull started the motor and shifted gears with that hand! Stowed away the trolling motor, too. Anyway, my new friend, Mike, followed me to the little landing and helped me load up the boat. I did the 30 minute drive to the hospital where it was decided that I was one of the worst hooked people they had ever encountered. They tried a lot of tools that were on hand, then gave up and sent an orderly to open up the maintence shed for the 2' bolt cutters. The ER doc had no trouble cutting the 3X hook with those. They gave me a ton of antibiotics and when I arrived home I ate a double dose of pain meds I had on hand. Called in sick the next day, hand swollen and throbbing. Today it's feeling much better, swelling is down and looks like I suffered no damage to nerves or tendons.
I had the presence of mind to take my 35mm camera into the hospital with me so there's a visual record of that part of the deal. My wife says she got a great shot of the doctor using the big bolt cutters to finally cut the hook. I'll post some pics in a few days.
A pretty close call, wouldn't you say? Today I'm buying new LONG-ASS needlenose pliers and some really good bolt cutters. Maybe some welding gloves, too. I'm going back to netting all my bigger fish and removing the hooks while the fish is in the laying in the net on the bottom of the boat. Screw the boatside release technique I've been trying to master. (Sorry, Jason, I tried.)
You folks who hold up big muskies with the lures still in the fish's mouth should take heed of my experience. Can you imagine a big fish slapping you in the face or chest or neck with a Poes Giant Jackpot, Believer or Suick? I sure as $hit can.
By the way, that was the third fish of the outing! I hope to get back as soon as I can handle a rod again, maybe day after tomorrow. [:bigsmile:]
What do you think of my close call? I used to think I was pretty careful while fishing alone all the time, but I'm going to be changing my ways a bit. |
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| Ranger, I'm looking forward to fishing with you at Cass Lake, think you can hang on until then? Thanks for sharing this. I've had several days when I'd go out by myself. I'm such a clutz that I've always worried about trying to release my first 'ski by myself. Your tale has re-affirmed my concern. Get that trigger finger back in shape, you're welcome in my boat this September! best wishes for big fishes (and a speedy recovery). m |
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| There is, I guess more than one lesson to be learned in your experience. I too have been hooked releasing fish. It can and will happen. If some of you want to release your fish at boat side that is your business. I won't do this except on poorly hooked fish as I believe it creates a very real danger to the fisherman. Believe me when I tell you that some day one of those fish is going to jump at the wrong moment and you are going to be stuck bad. Also when you get seriously hooked, yes I said when not if, bring your hook cutters to the E. R. with you. Lots of hospitals do not have instruments capable of cutting some of the new extra extra strong hooks. We take it for granted that all it takes is a little snap of our cutters to cut hooks but such is not the case without the proper tools.
Release them as you see fit, but remember to be very careful around sharp hooks and slippery fish. |
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| I feel your pain. Been hooked and it is no fun.
The one thing that amazes me is the fact that ER's don't have anything to cut hooks with. When they unhooked me, after freezing the area and making a hole to push the hook through, they tried to cut the treble with a pair of 99 cent side cutters. The hook actually did more damage to the side cutters than they did to the hook. And they didn't have a decent pair of pliers to pull the hook out once they pushed it halfway through.
Next time that I get hooked I'm taking my mini bolt cutters to the ER with me.
I know what you mean about the passing out part too. A few years ago I had a jig embedded in my finger while fishing for walleyes on The Mississippi. I tried to push it through, but it hurt too much. I tried to pull it out but couldn't. So I stuffed my finger in the cooler...complete with slimy fish ice.....and tried to freeze it a little. I grabbed the shank with a needle nose and pulled as hard as I could.....no luck. One more try...I grabbed and held onto my hand between my knees and muscled it out. Hurt like a SOB, but it was out! Then I saw the sky start to spin and hit the deck. Came to on the bottom of the boat a couple hundred yards down river.[:0]
I guess if you fish, the odds are that you will get hooked.
Be prepared.
Beav |
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| Holy Sh!t! |
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| I have been hooked too and now I will not go near a muskie without gloves until the hooks are out of the way. I was sure this fish was tired and ready to go, I put my hand in the net to take the lure out and the next second there was a hook deep in my thumb. At the hospital they had $1 side cutters and of course they probobly broke the pliers (and this was like a size 1 or 2 hook on a rapala j-13) The doctor had to use both hands on one end of the pliers with it against the table. He also only had a hemostat to push the hook through.
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| Damn Ranger...!!!
I have used long handled needle nose for years and I believe Knipex are worth every penny.
Last fall I got hooked to my 65lb. yellow lab via a 6" Jake and the knipex paid for themselves right there..
Glad your ok Dude......your gonna be a little gun shy the next time you have to get close to one...but I know you'll be back in the saddle again soon..
For what it's worth to those who trying to find these...
Menards sells the long handled needle nose pliers for about $5 a pair.
Mark |
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| That's it I am buying a glove. Been hooked to a musky before too, not as bad but in a bad spot. No fun no fun! I am glad you are ok. |
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| Daggone dude!!!! I can feel the pain...sunk a bucktail in the back of me calf once + it put me on the ground; sunk 2 of the hooks on the treble to the bend + I like to have never got them out...finally jerked them out w/ meat hanging on the hook + nigh passed out also!. Put a lump in me throat + broke out in a cold sweat. Glad to see you made it!!!
*Anon, I got a Lindy glove I like...ordered it from Rollie/Helens. |
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| Ranger,all I can say is WOW! And I thought I had all the bad luck...Some of mine must have gotten on you at the Bone Lake outing...Sorry to hear about your getting hooked! I hope your hand heals quickly and you can get back at 'em soon! Oh,one other thing,a net can help remove the hooks from a musky from all the thrashing.I would suggest you leave the fishes head in the water,let it thrash for a few minutes while you put on the glove and then remove the hooks.A fish thrashing on the bottom of the boat will not benifit the muskie when you release it.My opinion...Get better soon and see you in September,Paul |
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| [:0] Oh my GOD!!
So sorry Rick to hear of your "trouble"... Even happier to hear you are doing well. You had a close call there my friend, Thank god you are able to tell us the tale. The "Musky God(s)" were definitely looking over you that day. I do hope you are feeling better and wish you a quick recovery.
Karen
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| YIKES
Get well soon.
The muskies have got you wounded, but you will soon return to the battlefield with renewed vengence and determination.
Brian |
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| Thanks for all your positive thoughts, folks. My hand is doing fine. I'm going back to the lake tomorrow (if not this evening).
I bought mini bolts and a pair of 12" needlenose pliers yesterday. I'm getting new gloves today. As some of you have suggested, in the future I will try to release the fish while still in the net at boatside, rather than have the fish in the net on the bottom of the boat, in order to better protect the fish.
Also, today I'm going to buy a nice gift for the stranger (Mike) who helped me out when I was in trouble. (I was sure to get his name and phone before we parted at the landing.) You know, I couldn't have hoped for a more helpful stranger; that guy was ready to do anything, including leaving all his stuff at the lake to immediately drive me to the hospital. He was cool as a cuke the whole time, too, which helped me calm down and think clearly.
Again, thanks for your positive vibes! Please always be very careful when releasing your fish!!, or you'll end up like my "sorry a$$".[;)] |
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| Ranger,
I just got done posting an article about netting techniques. The reason that I posted this was because last year my wife and I fished with Moon River Guide Jodi Mills who netted, tail first, the 2 muskies that my wife caught. The other thing that Jodi did which I thought was different, was he used the net for anything and everything that was caught. I mean he used it if we caught a 20" northern. I asked him why he always used the net and he relayed an experience that he had that was very similar to yours. While releasing a northern boatside, he ended up hooked badly and losing alot of blood and like you, he was by himself. Luckily the fish came off, and he drove his boat to the first house he could find and was rushed to the hopital. On route he too passed out.
So, maybe the lesson here is, no matter how small the fish, use the net,use the spreaders, bolt cutters etc...
Sean Murphy |
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| I've been hooked before but not as bad as this. Man you are lucky you woke up!! Be sure to get some hook-out pliers next time! And knippex wire-cutters. |
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| I hate to admit it, but I've had a hand hooking incedent. I was making a prototype of a new jerkbait when I broke my own rule of taking the hooks off EVERYTIME I work on a bait. Anyway, I was drilling into the bait and the bit caught, spinning the bait in my hand. I had one hook in the my palm, one in my index finger, one through my middle finger, and one what went in over and under my ring finger nail! I was able to work and cut out every hook except for the one under my nail. As my wife was taking me to the emergency room I felt myself going into shock. I instructed her what to do and we got to the emergency room for the 3 hour wait.
Note:
After getting the hook out, the doctor said that you should always leave the entire hook intact if you can. There is a trick you can do to get hooks out, but it MUST BE INTACT.
I hope someone can learn from my pain. |
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| Dude....That makes me sick just thinking about it. I know a guy that drove a 3/0 thru the base of his middle fingers fingernail....any time you deal with crazy muskies....it should be caution all the way.
The most trouble I have had with fish..are the 32" to 35" fish. They are small enough that you think you can handle them, but they are just large enough to mess you up.[;)] |
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| I use to think I had a slick system for handling fish, but now I know better. I've changed my ways. In a nutshell....
Net the fish in my NEW, huge, fin-friendly Fabrill. Place the net handle in a rod holder leaving the fish in the water. Cut the line. Put on the NEW fireplace gloves that extend halfway to my elbows. Grab the jaw spreader and the NEW 11" needle-nose pliers to remove the hooks, or, use the NEW mini-bolt cutters to simply cut away any hooks that are really imbedded in the fish. Once all hooks are clear, quickly get the camera ready. When the camera is ready, lift the fish to take a couple shots and then let the fish go. I'm safe all the time and the fish is removed from the water for 10 seconds or less, per your rule, Jason.
Now, if I could only catch a decent fish to test out my NEW procedures..... |
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| Ranger: Didn't have time to read all the posts, so sorry if this is repetitive. From a medical standpoint, a vaso-vagal reaction ("fainting") is your body making you get your head below your heart, as too much blood just pooled in your legs, caused by the vagus nerve effect. Simply put, any time you get that light-headed feeling, immediately bend your knees, sit back, and get your feet up in the air, or least horizontal. You'll get hot, break a sweat, but likely won't faint. As you feel your forehead cool, you're ready to tighten your calves up to pump sme more blood back to the hart, and slowly rise up, being ready to lay right back down if you feel dizzy. Keep tightening your calves to promote blood return to the heart. Then, you can address the problem. I know you realize the value of Knipex now, but don't stop at one pair...often, the thrashing fish knocks your cutters in the water just as the hooks bury themselves...you need two pair. One is your back-up that you hope you'll never use. Also, as you probably know, it's those smaller fish that are the biggest problems, so be extra careful to cut all exposed hooks asap. I hear of people often just cutting the hooks in the fish...those aren't usually the ones that get you. Hooks are cheap...cut them all if needed. Good fishing, and hope your hand is doing well. |
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| Hmmmm...so that's how passing out works. Thanks for the info. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Good thread to bring back as everyone hits the water for 2003. Be careful handling that fish, and get yourselves a good release tool kit! |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Entertaining reading. Reminds me of "This Happened to Me" from the old Outdoor Life column.
Edited by stephendawg 5/9/2003 8:38 AM
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Posts: 3926
| Very interesting to read this again. I've really changed my wqys, and now use a GIANT Frabill net, heavy gloves and proper tools to unhook the musky while it is in the water at boatside. I realize, too, that some baits are not near as dangerous as others, e.g., bucktails are low risk, big cranks are high risk.
I recall, too, that not long after my experience another regular similarly hooked himself at the Cass Lake outing. Required a trip to the hospital. The dude is tough as nails, and didn't care about the pain, but I think the time off the water, both for he and the fellow that drove him to the hospital, was the worst part.
For lots of folks, it's not the injury that's bad, it's the downtime that folows the injury!
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Posts: 260
Location: Kentucky | WOW- Glad your ok!! |
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Posts: 51
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | Am I the only one who cuts every hook off the bait before I get near the fish? Ripped my thumb from top to bottom once and have never touched a musky since without cutting every single hook off the bait first. Then I only have a few hook points and teeth to worry about. If you consider the cost of hooks compared to the cost of everything else we drag around for fishing (and the E.R. bill) it's a pretty cheap way to insure that you're not going to have a decorative live musky ring. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would have netted the fish and used channel locks that about 12 inches long to remove the hooks. I don't feel the need to live on the edge and hand land a fish that has a 8-12 inch bait in its mouth.
A long set of needle nose or channel locks are pretty important as well as a good set of bolt cutters. EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE THESE BEFORE THEY EVEN GET IN A BOAT!!!!!
Mike Hulbert |
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