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Posts: 134
| Came across this guy on my mindless facebook scrolling. Seems like everyone is beating him up pretty badly on his reviews. Looks like he guides from a pontoon, and just brings the fish aboard lets it flop around (in the net on the deck) then takes pictures and releases. Says all of his fish "swim" away. He does take some people who wouldn't normally be able to go (elderly, special needs, etc.) Just thought I'd share it here and see what everyone's opinions of it all are. check out some of his videos.
https://www.facebook.com/Genemillermuskietrips/
This is one of the videos that seems to have a lot of people stirred up?
https://www.facebook.com/Genemillermuskietrips/videos/47185915650254... |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I used to get all bent out of shape about the way some other people handle their fish but I've come to realize they are a fish and not my first born. I do the best I can for the fish in my boat but over the last 40 years I've had some releases that were less than pretty. Muskies are actually pretty tough as long as the water temperatures are not to high. Back in the 90's when I was tagging fish we were instructed to tag everything even if we thought survival chances were slim. A surprisingly large number of those fish were recaptured in good shape. Do the best you can in your boat and it's better to TEACH than PREACH |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | I don't like his attitude. He seems too proud. I've got 3 major points with this guy. 1. In one of the facebook posts (from him) he addressed the complaints about handling fish. I don't remember his exact words but he said something about his age and or health preventing him from netting the fish and working on it while it's still in the water. IMO if you can't do a job right, don't do it. 2. He talks about how he has thousands of people that love him and give good reviews but only a few that give bad reviews. Well, I assume that at least half of the people he takes out are not fisherman and even more are not Muskie fisherman. And from someone who doesn't have experience fishing this might seem like a good experience to them, while a fisherman is able to see all the things going wrong. 3. I just can't get over his attitude, I don't like the way he shoots down products. He talks about Muskie mayhems breaking and he was probaly high speed trolling them and obviously that's not what the regular ones are made for. Musky mayhems are probaly the most used bucktail by many people. He also was talking about how he broke two Beckmann nets, and although I've never owned one they seem to be everyone's favorite net and definatly a favorite of the guides. And I wonder how he broke them? Maybe lifting a 50lb fish into his pontoon?? And I'm pretty sure nets actually have weight ratings on them (maybe not). He even took shots at the DNR and if it wasn't for the DNR I highly doubt he be fishing where he is. But, I've never been on a boat with him so maybe he is different in person but I wouldn't want to fish with him just because of his attitude, not to mention the other stuff. There's my 2 cents
Edited by Musky_Mo16 7/31/2017 12:02 PM
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Posts: 8863
| It's a fish. Do what you can to release them healthy and help others who may not know how to do so improve. Beyond that? Not worth getting upset over. It wasn't that long ago that most muskies were kept. |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 'Pontooners' subject:
There's absolutely not one thing that can be done here, this is not the first time this has been brought up. Teach those we can, and do not promote or even give a You Tube view to those we cannot. |
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | Exactly what Mo16 said |
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Posts: 119
| I agree that musky aren't your first born <--- that line cracked me up haha ... however on a serious note, I've seen a ton of homegrown country folks who accidentally and even intentionally catch a musky from pontoons and other types of non-ideal watercraft and handle the fish terribly. The fact of the matter is there are ton of fish out there to catch. Is it unfortunate that everyone that not everyone takes the precautions that we do ??? The answer is a resounding yes, but you can't teach everyone and even if you could the information would only stick with about half of the people anyway lol. Do what you can do, save the fish you can save -- the rest will work itself out.
Also, if this guy can get even one special needs/elderly individual a fish boated I'd make the argument that its worth whatever small degree of damage he's done. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I've run into this guy up on the north shore . I have nothing good to say abought this guy. |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | They call him Miller the killer |
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Posts: 221
| He's got no sympathy from me. He has the money to buy a release tank for his pontoon but he just doesn't care.
1. He doesn't slow down when they catch a fish, so he has absolute noobs reeling in muskies while his pontoon is still going 4-5 mph. Obviously not the right way to do it.
2. He bags them and drags them across his deck
3. He lets everyone take onboard take a photo with the fish
4. He chucks them off the side and keeps driving. I've heard many people say that they or other people have seen fish he had just thrown off still getting their bearings after the release get smoked by other boats.
5. He's a giant tool. He blasts Thunderstruck whenever the get a fish and thinks he's just the coolest guy ever. Incredibly arrogant for how dim he actually is.
He's an absolute joke and should be treated as such. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | how does a pontoon qualify as "non-ideal watercraft"? |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I have a friend who has caught many huge muskies in every type of fishing craft from rowboat to cabin cruiser who's fishing is now done from a pontoon. His MS has advanced to the point where he can step on to a pontoon rather than into a boat. He knows how to catch and handle muskies and if it wasn't for the toon he would no longer be fishing. |
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Posts: 119
| jonnysled - 7/31/2017 3:26 PM
how does a pontoon qualify as "non-ideal watercraft"?
If by ideal you mean it floats, then you're right, but if you're trying to make a case that a pontoon is an ideal boat for musky fishing, you are wrong. They can definitely work, that I wont argue. But I shouldn't have to list all the reasons a pontoon is a less than desirable musky boat. However as in the case with the dude mentioned above with MS, I can totally see how that would work as long as you have many hands and you take care of the fish - to which I have no problem with ... as a matter of fact, props to that guy. |
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| River2Stream - 7/31/2017 4:24 PM
jonnysled - 7/31/2017 3:26 PM
how does a pontoon qualify as "non-ideal watercraft"?
If by ideal you mean it floats, then you're right, but if you're trying to make a case that a pontoon is an ideal boat for musky fishing, you are wrong. They can definitely work, that I wont argue. But I shouldn't have to list all the reasons a pontoon is a less than desirable musky boat. However as in the case with the dude mentioned above with MS, I can totally see how that would work as long as you have many hands and you take care of the fish - to which I have no problem with ... as a matter of fact, props to that guy. |
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| I have a 20 foot pontoon, fishing model and an 18ft Pro V Lund. I don't think there is a lot of difference in the deck height/gunnel height between the two. I have caught muskies from both and while the Lund is easier for me, I don't see where the pontoon is harder in the fish. With the deep bags we all use today, the fish remain in the water on both, the only difference I see is that I had to bend down further to get fish out of bag when on the pontoon. From a casting stand point, the pontoon was a dream to cast from, like standing on a solid dock. If a guy is dumping a fish, still in the net on the floor of pontoon, how do you know he would not do the same fishing from a Ranger? |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | North of 8 - 7/31/2017 4:32 PM
I have a 20 foot pontoon, fishing model and an 18ft Pro V Lund. I don't think there is a lot of difference in the deck height/gunnel height between the two. I have caught muskies from both and while the Lund is easier for me, I don't see where the pontoon is harder in the fish. With the deep bags we all use today, the fish remain in the water on both, the only difference I see is that I had to bend down further to get fish out of bag when on the pontoon. From a casting stand point, the pontoon was a dream to cast from, like standing on a solid dock. If a guy is dumping a fish, still in the net on the floor of pontoon, how do you know he would not do the same fishing from a Ranger?
well, because he would be a "ranger guy" ... that's why! get back in the basement old man! |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | I don't have a problem with the pontoon, it's just everything else. I used to have family that had a place in hayward and they had a pontoon and that's what I did 90% of my fishing off. It wasn't muskie fishing but it's fishable. With a proper landing net you should have no problem keeping the fish in the water. I have a 18' Lowe and the front deck plus gunnel is higher off the water than some pontoons I've been in. Actually the pontoon would be easier to mess with fishing in the net because you can lay flat and not have a gunnel in the way. I still think a fishing boat is better but it can defiantly be done correctly in a pontoon. |
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | I've actually considered getting a pontoon and a mast because casting is hard, but I would treat the fish a lot better and blast Merle rather than thunderstruck  |
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| jonnysled - 7/31/2017 4:53 PM
North of 8 - 7/31/2017 4:32 PM
I have a 20 foot pontoon, fishing model and an 18ft Pro V Lund. I don't think there is a lot of difference in the deck height/gunnel height between the two. I have caught muskies from both and while the Lund is easier for me, I don't see where the pontoon is harder in the fish. With the deep bags we all use today, the fish remain in the water on both, the only difference I see is that I had to bend down further to get fish out of bag when on the pontoon. From a casting stand point, the pontoon was a dream to cast from, like standing on a solid dock. If a guy is dumping a fish, still in the net on the floor of pontoon, how do you know he would not do the same fishing from a Ranger?
well, because he would be a "ranger guy" ... that's why! get back in the basement old man!
Duh! I should have known that was the difference, must be my advanced age. |
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Posts: 285
Location: NE Wisconsin | I am 67 years old
I have handled many muskies out of 14' Jon boats.
Many out of Lund deep Vs
Many from my Ranger 620t
And one from my 20, pontoon
I would not consider any pontoon fish friendly when trying to successfully release muskies
Unless maybe if you had a revival airiated tank.
When you are 67 and overweight, it is not nice, working Down!!! To water release. |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | IMO any guy cool enough to blast thunderstruck after catching a fish, throw the fish back into the water, and not slow down while a beginner is reeling in a big fish has probably at least 3 65"+ fish hanging on his wall |
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Posts: 470
| Johnnie - 7/31/2017 8:57 PM
I would not consider any pontoon fish friendly when trying to successfully release muskies
Not to hijack the OP's thread,
I respectfully disagree with you there. Since I don't mind going prone on the deck I have no problems with CPR-ing muskies from my pontoon boat.
My Frabill 9530 is in the water easier than a lot of boats with side rails, and the fish move similar distances in the process. I actually find it easier because I don't have a side rail digging in while I'm working in the net.
Granted, my boat (Misty Harbor Biscane Bay 2285FS) is specifically designed for fishing, with lower rails, removable seats and a clear front deck.
I'd be interested to hear what makes pontoons less "Fish Friendly" in your opinion.
RandalB |
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Posts: 719
| Probably has done more damage to the population on the pond than the next ten guys combined. The end.
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| My pontoon is also set up for fishing but I think the point Johnnie was making was that if you have difficulty getting down to deck level, it is tougher on a pontoon. The last musky I caught and released from my pontoon, I was 64 and I didn't mind basically laying down to unhook and release the fish, actually more comfortable than the gunnel on my Lund digging into my ribs. Now getting up from that prone position was a different story ;>).
Edited by North of 8 7/31/2017 10:29 PM
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Posts: 719
| Not the end:
To be more specific: imagine a guy who fishes everyday,fishes very efficiently trolling a half dozen lines on average, who is out enough and good enough to really stay on the fish and pattern things well, who for years let anyone who wanted keep a fish if legal (remember it used to be 40"), who never slows down to release a fish after maybe a half dozen people have held it for a picture, who dumps fish on the deck and lets them rattle around until he (the captain) can get around to unhooking it, and then the picture taking starts..... who for years said "who cares, there's lots of them"
Now remember when things were really rocking up there and think about that toon dredging its way up and down the north shore all day and catching 3-10 a day and do the math.
And no the fish are not newborn babies, and yes people can keep a legal fish. and yes we need to educate and promote safe and healthy release. This is not about all that. This is about the respect most of of us have for the sport of Muskie fishing and doing what it takes to keep fisheries viable. Most of us. The end
And now I ask myself why did I bother typing all that...it changes nothing.
Edited by bturg 7/31/2017 10:42 PM
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | bturg - 7/31/2017 10:39 PM
And now I ask myself why did I bother typing all that...it changes nothing.
Yep, sadly your right. What he's doing is morally wrong but it's not illegal, so there's nothing that can be done. |
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Posts: 105
Location: Jane Lew, WV | Kirby Budrow - 7/31/2017 8:40 PM
I've actually considered getting a pontoon and a mast because casting is hard, but I would treat the fish a lot better and blast Merle rather than thunderstruck ;)
Kirby I like your style! |
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Posts: 7109
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Musky_Mo16 - 7/31/2017 11:21 PM
bturg - 7/31/2017 10:39 PM
And now I ask myself why did I bother typing all that...it changes nothing.
Yep, sadly your right. What he's doing is morally wrong but it's not illegal, so there's nothing that can be done.
Truth.
BUT, what we can do is keep educating on how to net fish, how to unhook them, correct holds, and how long to keep a fish out of water before release. The more we all educate new muskie fisherman, and HOPEFULLY some of that will rub off on the old timers, the better off we are for the future.
*NOTE: being an *sshat to people who do whatever wrong in your eyes only emboldens them to do that more and more. |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | bturg - 7/31/2017 10:24 PM
Probably has done more damage to the population on the pond than the next ten guys combined. The end.
Sadly true and maybe even on the light side.
Doesn't take long to really affect a fishery. |
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Posts: 576
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI | I'm not defending this guy (he sounds like a real stroke), but I will defend fishing for muskies from a pontoon. I have an older SmokerCraft Fish King that we use almost exclusively when we musky fish. I normally have 4 people in the boat casting and it is perfect. I have removed the bimini top to make it easier to cast and have a Minn Kota trolling motor on the front. When we land a fish, it is brought to a side door and is netted and kept in the water. It is true, you do have to basically lay down to unhook and release fish, but it is doable, even for this old fart of 59. We quickly bump the fish and take pictures and it's back in the water. Here is a picture of a 49" from this last weekend, if you look closely at the open door you can see the net still hanging in the water. We have successfully landed and released hundreds from this boat.
(Kenny 49 - 2 - 7-29-2017.jpg)
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 Kenny 49 7-29-2017.jpg (393KB - 501 downloads)
Kenny 49 - 2 - 7-29-2017.jpg (216KB - 443 downloads)
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