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Message Subject: Muskie by catch in the heat

Toporanger

Posted 8/9/2016 4:54 PM (#826655)
Subject: Muskie by catch in the heat

Posts: 46

What can I do to better the chances of muskie survival when catching them as a by catch when deep water bass fishing? Right now I land them as quickly as possible and unhook them in the water if feasible.

I ask because recently on kinkaid I can't seem to keep them off my hooks. A few weeks ago I landed 3 and had maybe 4 follows and two strikes by the boat. I even moved locations several times but just seemed to find more muskie with the bass. I believe they are feeding on the spotted bass as they school up and become a by catch to bass fisherman.

I was finding schools of largemouth and spotted bass in 14-20 feet of water and would get them fired up then BAM! muskie on. I've had follows on 2 inch dropshots and strikes on football heads by the side of the boat so in NO WAY am I targeting these fish. In the last month I have had also had at least two follows to the boat fishing for crappie with small jigs.

So barring staying off the water completely, which wont happen. How do you handle these fish when you do hook them in 80 degree plus surface temps?

RandalB

Posted 8/9/2016 5:17 PM (#826658 - in reply to #826655)
Subject: Re: Muskie by catch in the heat

Posts: 470

I had this happen with a little guy last weekend under similar conditions. Grabbed a Texas rigged rubber worm.
I released boatside without removing the fish from the water. It was a small fish and I didn't net it, Just unhooked and pushed it straight down as deep as I could. It left the area strong. Can't be helped sometimes, try to minimize the time between catch and release and keep your fingers crossed.

RandalB

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