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Posts: 2089
| I had an interesting conversation with a friend on the phone last night. The growth of the sport is incredible. Fish are getting bigger and we all want one. Ok, here's the scenario: you and your buddy are out fishin' muskies.You have been fishing them a few years and your buddy is new to the sport. One of you hooks a HUGE fish that you scoop with the Big Kahuna. Now what? You're both freaked out about the size and are shaking like leaves on a tree. Meanwhile, the fish has a big bait stuck in it's mouth/face/throat and is thrashing in the net. Will you be prepared mentally and physically to safely(for you and the fish) remove the hooks and or perform SURGERY to save this fish? Do you have the necessary tools to extricate the bait from the fishes mouth or perhaps back out through the gills? There is sooooo much emphasis on baits, rods, reels etc., but will you be prepared when the moment of truth arrives??? Or, will your inexperience/lack of preparation kill the magnificent creature(still only a fish though) .Sorry, but that is the harsh reality. How does one prepare? THINK! Think and talk about what you'll do. Think of the worst possible scenario and think about how you will react. This isn't meant to be a catch/release post.If the intent to release this fish is truly there, you owe it to the fish/ery to put yourself in the best possible position to deal with the Monster.Could be a 45 or it could be a 55. Fish die. That's a fact. Sometimes there's nothing we can do. Been there. I hope this post will foster some good conversation. I don't want it to sound like a "If ya can't run with the big dogs, then get back on the porch" mentality and we can only gain experience by doing it. As the hard water season approaches and the complications of fishing cold weather become reality, THINK about the fish you're after.Will you be prepared?Good luck all. Steve |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would assume that I am prepared....
I have 4 different bolt cutters in my boat, 4 different pair of pliers, 3 hook outs like the Tooth Pick, 3 jaw spreaders, a few screw drivers, a couple of channel locks, etc...
There have been plenty of times when I have needed other guys in my boat to help out with getting a fish unpinned, which is why I have multiple pairs of everything.
I think if you only carry one pair of pliers, one cheap pair of bolt cutters, one set of jaw spreaders, etc... you are flirting with disaster.
Carry as many tools as you can think of that might work...then add a few more just for safe measure....because to me, they are more than "just a fish"
Good Topic Steve! |
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Posts: 2089
| Yeah man! Ya beat me to it. Great list and here's a pic of the Hook Pick. This tool alone has saved countless fish in my boat the last 2 seasons. Steve
Edited by Steve Jonesi 10/31/2007 7:19 AM
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | Steve,
I fit right into that couple years of fishing scene. I have all the tools needed to release a fish... BUT I'm always very indecisive to grab a fish with a hooks stuck in it's face. Some of the best advice I've received this year is; CUT HOOKS and if at all possible get a hold of the fish before trying to remove hooks. Once you get a hold of the fish you NEVER let go of it. It's still a very scary moment anytime i have reach in the net to grab a fish, I've been hooked once and came REALLY close to being hooked twice this year. Great thread Steve, hopefully this will give guys like me a couple more tips on safely releasing a fish. |
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| Great Post. I agree we owe it to the future of this sport. With all the people out fishing muskies and catching fish the release is so important. I would have to say overall most releases i see are not good. Mishandled, overhandled, too many photos. Mr Jonesi, have you witnessed some pretty bad releases? |
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Posts: 2089
| When you grab that big $%%^^&, make a FIST and hold on!!! Steve |
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Posts: 91
Location: Wausau | Great topic here. I feel I am prepared as far as the tools go, as mentioned above I have multiples of everything. Some for the front of the boat some for the back, if the straight ones don't work give me the ones with the angle head for leverage ect. I think the other thing I would mention about the essentials would be a good pair of leather (or armor) gloves to protect your hands while working on a deep hooked fish. What I know I am not prepared for is the surgery of taking a deep hooked bait out of a fish's mouth through the gills. I have never had to do this or have I watched someone else do this. I am always so worried about keeping the fish's head under water I am a little concerned about how much time it may take to do this. Can someone explain what would be the correct way to take a bait out of a fish and through the gills? |
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Posts: 159
Location: Carney, Mi (in da UP eh!) | Most of your tools in one kit....Available with Knipex cutters also...Kit has floatation value built into it so it will float if dropped overboard..
Edited by UPMuskyr 10/31/2007 8:15 AM
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| Being a Paramedic I tend to be overprepared for these types of situations. In addition to my Knipex cutters I have 1% Lidocaine w/epi and 1% Lidocaine without epi for the fingers, ears, nose and toes. I also have a scalpel, a suture kit with 4-0 Prolene and 5-0 Prolene. A 30 round closure stapler and remover. Many misc, bandages and cleaining meds. I can pretty much preform and major hook removal on the spot with little discomfort to the victim, myself included. So if you are with me you are good for appropriate removal. |
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Posts: 31
Location: Syracuse, New York | I recently put a set of puncture/abrasion resistant gloves in the boat. They have made a huge difference in fish handling, allowing me to be much more direct and confident in the removal of hooks.
Also, I would stress the need for constant communication between partners when handling fish. Don't ever assume someone else is thinking what you are thinking. Tell whoever you are working with what you are planning to do and what you are doing before/as it happens.
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| good topic and one I think could be a quick "mini class" at our Capital City musky school in the spring... I like to think I have netting/unhooking/photo's/measuring down to a science but there are always things that can and do go wrong...
I often see boats on the Madison chain that clearly are not ready should they actually hook a nice fish..you know the guys, they are in boats like runabouts, with probably not so much as a walleye net in the boat casting for muskies cuz they heard they were biting..what are these clowns gonna do if they should actually hook something ???
These are the guys we need to be talking and educating...
Carry at least 2 sets of bolt cutters, like Knipex and a backup pair in case one goes in the drink.
a few sets of pliers, jaw spreaders, and always have a first aid kit on board should you get cut in the process. Wearing musky armour gloves is a good idea too.
You can never be too cautious around a musky with a set of trebles in their mouth...
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Posts: 159
Location: Carney, Mi (in da UP eh!) | Also just entering the market is the "Softy" release kit, has the 11" offset pliers and also available with the "Knipex" cutters...Has the same flotation value of the hard kit so even if it is dropped overboard it will float..
Edited by UPMuskyr 10/31/2007 11:51 AM
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Steve Jonesi - 10/31/2007 7:08 AM
Yeah man! Ya beat me to it. Great list and here's a pic of the Hook Pick.
Neat looking tool...where can I get one? |
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Posts: 198
| Another thing to consider is if your fishing alone. If in a big wind or at night you could have major problems even with mulitiple tools in the boat. When I do fish alone I try and use lures with single hooks or even barbless. Much easier to unhook. Ever try and cut multiple hooks by yourself with a really big fish in the net when it's windy and or at night. Not an easy thing to do and your asking for trouble not to mention the stress put on the fish. I carry mulitiple tools including an 18 inch bolt cutter for cutting hook shanks. A complete set of extra tools is vacuum sealed and put away in case you lose something. I like the hook pic. A friend made something similiar out of a grilling spatula and it works great. |
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Posts: 427
Location: Wausau | Preparation is what set's others above the rest. When I look at successful musky fisherperson, they are prepared way before the hit the water. If, we can plan a trip through catch research, map planning, weather patterns, structure differences, baitfish location and lure presentation, we should be able to plan the release. As Mike said, have the best release tools (spend the $ on a good hook cutter), but I'll add, keep your tools handy and ready to be used. During the fight, talk to your boat partner, help remind them to keep their rod tip down, don't horse the fish, free spool, lead the fish or help guide them with the net if you have the fish. Once the fish is in the bag, keep talking and working together to get the tools and remember to hang onto the net. I always cut my line first to prevent the fish from rolling in the line, then work on the hooks - cutting should not be your third option. Once the fish is under control, have one person ready with the bump board and camera. If we can talk about spots and lures, we can talk about the catch and release situation - educate others.
With the use of plastics, I have notices a lot of fish eating the whole bait, which for those who are prepared is not as big of a concern. What I am worried about, are those that are not ready and don't want to lose their bait by cutting it up or the hooks so they just pull. I have a fear that more fish are injured during the release because of how deep the bait goes. Several times I have been at a bait shop looking at the plastics when someone asks what is a good color. I'll tell them, but also make sure the are educated on the release tactics and prepare them for the lure to be stuck deep. Sadly, I think too many people are not as concerned. |
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Posts: 3149
| thorne bros has a bunch of "hook pics" like the one pictured,, they should make it in a model that floats |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I also have one made out of a paint roller...it is VERY long and works great...
Every boat if they are throwing double bladed bucktails, Chickens and Dawgs needs one of these things. |
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Posts: 2089
| Great stuff Andy! Steve |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | I am very prepared, buying all that stuff sure isn't as fun as buying baits but it's all well worth it. I noticed a lot of the pictures have string tied to the tools, easy addition to protect your $50 hook cutters. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | To be good at handling fish you not only need good tools (which I have a bunch of), but experience. I feel there is a great deal of skill involved in handling fish as best as possible. As with most things in life, I like to analyse it afterwards and think if there are anythings I can do better next time.
The first few fish I handled could have been done much better. I didn't have anyone to learn from. I feel the same as Steve and this is why I put a presentation together to teach people how to properly handle fish. I present it to the C & R club about once every year or two. I have also presented it at the Musky Magic Show in New London. I am open to presenting at other clubs or events. Please feel free to contact me.
The original post says after the fish is in the Kahuna. I would like to put it back a step and mention that a good net is very important. A big strong hoop, and a deep rubber coated net are very important. A shallow bag may work good on a bass boat but you need a deep one for a boat with higher sides so you can keep the fish in the water while you work on it.
Another thing to remember is the small muskies are just as important to properly handle. They can be the most fiesty and toughest to get hooks out of without doing harm.
Check out my website for some tips and pictures of the tools I use.
Edited by Jomusky 10/31/2007 9:55 AM
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Posts: 29
| Neat looking tool...where can I get one?
www.hookpick.com
or they sometimes sell them on ebay
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Posts: 8788
| Anybody using barbless hooks? |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Steve J, I concur with others...GREAT topic.
Brad N, great idea for a CCMI meeting.
Steve W...is there a way to keep this at or near the top of the messages so people coming to the site will be more inclined to read it and be a little more educated on this subject? Just a thought
Short story pertaining to the topic...musky fishing in Hayward in Sept this year. Hooked a Northern thru the gills and tried to cut hooks w/CHEAP arsed cutters. I could only get the very tip of the cutters on the hook b/c of how the fish was hooked. No go...didn't even dent the hook. I've used the cutter b4, but not w/just the tip. By some miracle, the hooks came out easily w/no damage to fish, but I was incredibly upset w/myself about cheaping out on cutters and possibly harming a fish just b/c of my stupidity. As soon as I was off the water, I bought Knipex.
Along same lines, recently upped the mouth spreader from 8" to a 10". There's a world of difference between the strength of the 8 and 10. Have used the 8" with no problems, but in this instance, if SOME is good, MORE is better!  |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | "Another thing to consider is if your fishing alone."
When fishing alone I always have an anchor on the front deck already tied off to the cleat. I work the fish to the front of the boat before netting, and if theres wind or the boat is in close to shallow structure or shore I drop the anchor. Lets me concentrate on dealing with one task, the safe release of the fish, instead of worrying about the boat being blown/floating into trouble. |
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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'm ready. I do forget to take the tools out and set them on the deck some days, but I have everything I need in duplicate at least.
I will admit that as I get older, I am WAY more cautious with the unhooking process. I really don't want to be hooked up to a thrashing Muskie. |
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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Make sure you have plenty of light power when fishing at night. In addition to head gear, get a mag light from Walmart for 15 bucks and bring extra batteries. All the tools seen above are pretty much useless if you CANT SEE!!
thedude |
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Posts: 5874
| OK, I don't have a hook pic. Somebody that has used them, give a description on when and how to use them. Thanks.
I am prepared for releasing all my fish. I got all the tools, and they are at the ready. I am a hook cutter. I cut almost every hook that is stuck in a fish. Why, because I don't want to get attached to that fish. Beside, most of the time, when I just try to use a pliers, the hooks get all bent up, and are then no good. So I just cut the hooks from the start. I don't ever lift a fish from the net with a bait attached.
As for releasing at night, or in wind, or even in current, that is where I love my AP Terrova. Point away from shallow hazards, or into the wind, or awqy from shore, put it on AP, and you can work relatively worry free. Good lighting is also important at night. |
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| great post, this kind of stuff just doesnt get discussed enough, some of the newer folks simply dont know what a hook pick is, but they sure know what a cowgirl is. i have always said...before you buy 1 single bait....make sure you have good pliers, hookcutters, jaw spreaders and net (some still using the untreated version). i also would like to see more discussion on proper holds and fish handling in general for the newer people as well. i remember muskies 101 had a slideshow that showed how to hold on to a fish correctly....things like that should be permanantly posted on sites like this. great post |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | The hook pick is used for the deep hooked fish. You can easily push the hook back or forward depending on how it is hooked.
This thing is a musky have with Dawgs, double 10 bucktails and Chickens.
I know I have used mine about 100 times this year. |
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Posts: 1291
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | The "cutters" shown in the two "kits" are worthless on most larger muskie lures hooks. Put them in the garage and get a set or two of Knipex!
Muskie regards,
Larry Ramsell
www.larryramsell.com |
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