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| Is current catch and release techniques geared towards more or bigger fish? My personal muskie experiences have evolved similar to my archery deer hunting outlook. I would prefer to spend countless hours pursuing large fish, rather than catch multiple mid 40's or smaller fish. I think this to be a natural progression for most, as you "mature" as an angler. I do still derive pleasure from catching smaller fish, but lack desire to fish waters that do not offer that chance at the larger ones. What managment techniques do you folks think is best for the fishery, or are most people just looking to catch any muskie. Also with waters such as the "Chip" do you think research into genetic make-up is worth while. It would seem to me, the ability to catch the "super fish" is almost gone due to the introduction of different strains. Just curious on others thoughts...Thanks, Ben Remer |
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| Ben- I to prefer quality versus quanity. I think the WI DNR- Ont MNR & MN DNR are managing for both, i.e., there are lakes where you can either catch trophy's or quanity. I think there are places where the super-fish exist today- in fact I've seen a couple of manifestations of such fish. The frustrating part as you know is that they were not at the end of the line w/ a solidly imbedded hook in their mouth's. Where do they live- low pressure clear water lakes with good Ciscoe/whitefish/lake trout forage bases. These are as Dick Pearson put's it, "super tanker waters". But they're also some of the hardest Muskie water's to fish. Just seeing a fish is sometimes your only reward for a hard day's fishing.
Consider that the WI DNR list's Louie Spray's record 69lb 11 Oz fish as 63.5 " long. That's what I call a "Super Tanker", i.e., + 60"- Today the odd's are stacked against any Muskie getting to this size in pressured water's. Every kept big fish reduces the odds. But I always feel it's the fisherman's choice to keep that fish. We're all part of the problem and the solution. I think voluntary CPR & higher length size limits are going to produce a new record in the next 10 years. I'll always CPR every Muskie I catch except perhaps that one fish on one of my Canadian flyin lakes-> (The next WR)Even then that fish will have to exceed Louie's by large enough margin that I'll be absolutely certain about it's size & weight- (I have a 80" Muskie Stick & a 100lb scale that I'm pretty confident in about it's margin of error..) But I also know what I'll do with her if I catch her on a drive-in lake-> my boat has a 60" livewell w/ dual airators. She'll be snug but safe until I can get the DNR or MNR to verify her dimensions-+ photo's -then she'll swim away. [:bigsmile:] With respect to achieving what you want, it's just like CPR- It's your choice to fish the water's that will give you the angling experience you're looking for, whether that's quanity or quality.
Research is key- spending time on the wrong type of water is a waste.[:((] If I want action I'll go after Northern's or Walleye's or Smallies. [:p] I have very limited time right now for Muskies- Therfore- I do a lot of research & planning before I get on the water- Other's will argue that time on the water is key- yes that's true. But it's got to be time on the right water's. I wish I had the luxury of being able to fish every day. [:)] Maybe my wife will win the PowerBall lottery[:0]
Good luck - I hope you boat that "super tanker"[:sun:]
"It's your choice to Catch'em & Let'em Go!"
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| Ben,I would have to go along with EsoxManiac
here.All fish are respectable,hunting for Red October is putting and investing time on the right water.Sooner or later things happen.
My beleif with numbers you are a distance from quality.With fewer fish,the quality is greater.Although some systems or bodies of water hold both.Some gene pools may be altered but I beleive some gene pools are intact in most water sheds.
Hey how is Merrrit!
take care
marc |
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| I enjoy them all, big and small. I truly believe the day I get pissed at popping a 36" on the third turn of a figure eight is the day I should sell my boat.
I love popping good fish dont get me wrong, but some of us are just not as lucky to be able to fish big fish waters on a daily basis. My water kicks out some good ones, but they are few and far between. The angler kill ratio on my lake is very high on anything over 45".
I get a few days each year in Canada and I certainly make the most of it. I only fish big fish spots and dont care if I catch 10 or 12 on the trip, just as long as I get a crack at a goodin. The three days this year on the Goon both me and Worrall did that same thing. And we moved some quality fish. I was just happy to move them and get a possible crack at one.
I was upset when a certain person back home told everyone I had a bummer trip with 1 40" fish for myself in three days. And that I did not catch as many fish and big fish as he did on his two weeks on lake of the Woods. On the otherhand I thought it was one of my better trips, by moving some very good quailty fish and Worrall's fish frys of Pike were second to none.
You have to take what you get and enjoy it. By all means if you have the chance to pop a goodin, go for it. Otherwise be happy for the chance to go fish muskies.
Thats my 2 cents on this subject Ben Remer.[;)] |
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| I went through the stages catching the first legals, then quanities (trying to win my muskie inc.'s release division), then going after the big one, I still want the superlunker but now I have to say I just enjoy muskie fishing and will spend time on a variety of lakes from number lakes to trohpy lakes (it does help to have a couple of 50 inch releases under your belt)to just enjoy going after the fish.[:bigsmile:] |
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| FLASHBACK..FRIDAY! |
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| A flash back I will respond to!
I spent many years searching for THE ONE fish. I have described that search here several times, covering literally dozens of lakes and rivers over 30 plus years. I still am as excited about a 40 as I ever was, but the sting sort of went out of things a bit when I actually got the one I wanted. A year or so later, I had nearly lost the edge totally, until the atmosphere changed some in the Muskie world, and I got fired up again.
WIll I get a bigger one? Nearly did, last year, so just maybe, just maybe. There are some lakes I truly feel any cast could do it, and the fire is hotter than ever now, so for the next 30 years plus, the muskies are in for a tussle!![:0] |
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| It depends on the musky strain and the lake it's in. Some lakes won't produce a big fish no matter how few there are. So many things to consider, like water quality, forage and time lived in higher water temps. I don't think ti means that a lake that only produces fish up to 40" should be discarded as a musky fishery. We need them all and should manage them as such. |
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