Safe release time??

[traveler]

Theres a pic and post on the red lake forum that has me thinking...how long do you think a large predator (muskie, pike, etc...) can safely be out of the water before it's chances of a good recovery are compromised?

I know legnth of fight, water temp, etc...can be big influences, but given "average" conditions...30 seconds? 2 minutes?

I'm thinking about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes at the very most, but I try for less then 1 minute, having release tools, camera, etc... at the ready. Thoughts?

[dcmusky]

Well let me put it to you this way, run around your block once then dunk your head under water. Now would you like it there for 30 seconds or 2 minutes?

[cjac]

Pretty appropriate and fitting now, but I think to this day one of the coolest pics of a muskie release I've ever seen is Jack Burns cradling a big, bad a$$ looking muskie at water level; that pic somewhat defined him to many of us Gen Xer's and is one of the most remembered pics of him....there aren't many, as he wasn't into self promotion.

That fish was out of the water zero seconds......

[duckhuntr21]

Well let me put it to you this way, run around your block once then dunk your head under water. Now would you like it there for 30 seconds or 2 minutes?

I have never thought of it like that but it sure makes alot of sense.

[MeyersBros]

They designed the big game nets and the cradle so one would never have to take the fish out of the water, or at least to take the bait out of the mouth while keeping her in the water. Taking the bait out and snapping one or two quick pictures is all you really and that takes around 20 seconds as long as you have the camera ready before you take the fish out of the water.

I personally like pictures of musky in the water, with their backs sticking out… now that’s a sexy picture! haha

[Nick Kuhn]

I wouldn't put a stopwatch to it. As long as you unhook the fish while in the water (ie in the net) and have a camera/measuring stick ready (if you choose to do either) just move quickly but calmly and the fish will be fine. It's those who are unprepared/uneducated that are really putting the fish at risk.

[DTro]

Well let me put it to you this way, run around your block once then dunk your head under water. Now would you like it there for 30 seconds or 2 minutes?

I wouldn't like a big treble hook stuck to my face and yanked really hard either. Would you?

I think there needs to be some caution putting human emotions to a fish.

What more can you ask for than a person catching a fish, landing it, getting it unhooked (maybe snap a quick picture) and get it back in? Would you rather see the sport go in the direction that the Sailfish Pro Series guys are doing now? Basically if you touch the leader, the fish is caught (and you get credit for it) even if the line breaks and or the fish throws the hook.

I guess that’s fodder for a whole new topic, sorry for the hijack.

[Shawn Kellett]

Actually Dan, run around the block, get home have someone throw a net over you, kick your a$$ and then dunk your head underwater.

The general rule I use, assuming you're unhooking the fish with it's head in the water (waaayyyy too many people that think because the tail is in the water the fish is "in the water") is hold your breath as soon as you take the fish out of the net. When you run out so has the fish. It's not the same, but it's an easy way for you to use your internal clock.

Keep in mind the length of the fight, time of year, water temp, etc.

[jonesen]

One other thing to consider is how long the fish is, Do you really need a bunch of pictures of 40" fish, My personal rule is; if it's not 48" or bigger it does not get it's picture taken. there are some exception to this rule also such as if the fish had two heads or something unique like that.

[dudeness]

This release thing always comes up and people always want to know how long? Well if you say 1 minute then people will keep em out for 1:30 because they loose track of time or they feel entitled to spend more time with the fish that they caught.

It's really pretty simple, just be prepared. It's a two person process. Have the camera turned on, measuring devices ready, and every picture should have water or slime dripping of the fish. The first pic should be snapped 3 seconds after it comes out of the net. The last pic should be snapped not long after. It's okay to take a picture of a fish, just be smart.

Last fall on a very popular metro lake I had a very nice boat pull up right behind me. These guys had all the fancy equiptment and swooped in and caught the high thirties fish that we had just moved. I wasn't too broken up about it but it was a little annoying because these clowns were two casts away. Anyhow, what do you know, these hot shots scoop the fish in the net and lift in over the gunnel and drop it on the floor of the boat. I tried to watch them to see how long this fish was out of the water but I got bored because it took so long. You have got to be kidding me. If you can afford all the equiptment and the fancy boat and your still out fishing in November, you should atleast know not to scoop the fish up and drop it in the boat. -Sorry for the rant.

[scsavre]

I hate to be argumentative at all on these forums. I know myself and Musky group does a great job at getting these fighting machines back into the water. I bet we average 30 seconds pictured and measured. I treat these fish very delicately and do ever thing i can for them.

But for some of the people on here who havent boated as many muskies. Start by buying and having all your release tools ready. And make sure your thinking of your own safety. Dont worry about trying to keep a fishes head under water or something while unhooking. Get the fish in the best position (for you and the fish) in the net where you think you can get the hook out as quick and safe as possible. Its not going to help the fish if you you end up getting hooked as well because of some over protective fish position. If you are struggling cut the hooks. And lastly, if you unhooked the fish with its head out of water, give the fish a break before you take her out of the net. Let her get some water and catch her breath. If you find the fish isnt doing well after this, skip your picture and measure, and work at releasing a healthy fish.

Like someone else said have your boat ready. I have the mind set every time i go out that i am going to boat a fish. Do a run through with your partner, consolidate cameras and release tools. Dont have things stowed away, have everything accessible.

As far as how long a muskie can live i dont know, but i wish they were as durable as pike.

[50inchpig]

Things are a little sensitive here today, do we need a big group hug or something?

I haven't ever heard anyone say they were proud of how they treated their first fish, but people learn. Quick bump and picture shouldn't take more than 30 seconds or so as long as you've got a plan. Keeping the head in the water after you net the fish is as important as measuring and taking pics quickly. Like Scott said, good to give 'em a little break in the net after unhooking before you take pics.

[DHanson]

If you have not handled a lot of muskies, it's easy to assume that these fish are like releasing other freshwater fish. Before I started muskie fishing, I also thought they would be as easy to release like other fish. The fact of the matter is they are anything but easy to release. These fish are very fragile and can die very easy. Having the necessary tools to help the release process is very important. For fish that I decide to take a picture of and measure using a bumpboard, it's done in about 20 seconds.

[10,000 Casts]

Quote:

And make sure your thinking of your own safety

agreed

With the right release tools, you shouldn't have too much to worry about. And a good Muskie net helps...

just do the best job you can.

When we have a Muskie in the net, the last thing that I am thinking about is how much time has already lapsed, we are thinking about what needs to be done for a good unhook, measure and pick then a healthy release.

[dudeness]

Thanks for the group hug offer.

One thing I would add, if the net guy doesn't bury the head of the fish deep in the bag and the fish gets hooks tangled in the net near the top and does that awesome twisty tangley thing. This makes for a dicey situation and alot of times should result in cutting hooks.

[scsavre]

Hanson, you are everywhere i post. Was that you following me around my favorite lake last year too. Just kidding hope to see you out there next year.

Good point on the netting.

[Shack]

Good points are being brought up!

I also agree that the timely and good release of large game fish takes practice.

In my personal opinion though, I would rather see 4 or even 5 pictures taken in the boat to get the right image of a "first" or second Muskie a person has caught, than one image with the background of an anglers garage or driveway in it!

[dcmusky]

Don't get me wrong, we all start somewhere. I remember starting out in the mid 80's and there wasn't allot of info on releasing them back then. Infact I remember getting yelled at by perch fishermen and relitives for letting those "things" go. The nets back then sucked bad, you'd have a tangled mess and a very angery fish in the midst of it all. Then another 20 mins. getting your lure back. The point is we as C&R anglers must do the best we can to release a live fish or it's pointless. If you choose to harvest then time out of the water is pointless but it's also pointless to release a dead fish.

Sorry for pionting out the obvious.

[muskiedreams]

i think one thing people prob already know but i will toss it out there.. when releasing a fish turn the fish sideways if the fish dont upright its self not ready yet... give it a little time,, I think alot of fish get let go before there ready,, daytime atleast ya see em come back up night time its a wrap

[Cooter]

Less is certainly more with time out of the water. Despite being big and mean and toothy as someone stated earlier they are not much of an endurance fish. Think cheetah, they can go real fast but not for very long.

If you are prepared I don't see any reason not to measure and take a couple pics if you want - I do.

In vs out of the water is key, about the only thing that should be done out of the water is a pic and measurement. Those big nets we have these days make excellent 'livewells'. If you're not quite ready with the camera or bumpboard just let em sit in there and pull em out when you're ready. Some guys even let them 'catch their breath' for a bit in the net before pulling them out even if unhooking takes a split second and the camera/board is ready. Sounds sensible to me. A way to guage might be revival time, shouldn't be holding a fish until it can hold itself upright or swim away for very long or it was out of the water too long.

[guideman]

JMHO,

In most situations, the anglers that target Muskies on a regular basis, do a good job releasing their fish. The one thing we all have to accept is that one of the results of angling, is that some fish die.

Staying calm and using a little common sense, will save the lives of more Muskies than all the good intentions in the world. In cold water you'll have a little more time than in warm water. During the heat of the day, or in mid summer I rarely take photos or remove them from the water. It comes to a point when you just have to say, "How many photos of similar fish do you need?"

As long as I know I caught the fish, I just don't find it all that necessary to carry Proof that I boated a fish that day.

The use of the proper release tools is always essential when you are targeting these fish and you should never go out without them, if catching a Muskie is what you intend to do that day, plain and simple.

Incidental catches are always a real concern here on Lake Vermilion. You just never know when you might hook into a big Muskie. You could be Walleye or Smallmouth fishing and hook into a 50 incher. ALWAYS have those release tools in the boat with you, if you think you may hook a Muskie, even when they aren't the targeted species that day.

I know that bringing along a Muskie net when you're Walleye fishing Just isn't very practical, but I always carry a craddle in my storage, just in case it does happen. Most of us have plenty of room in the boat for a craddle, even in a small boat.

Take the time to help someone if they look like they need it.

Take the opportunety to help to educate a novice angler, or somebody that hooked into a Muskie when they least expected it. It will go a long way in saving a fish in the future.

Don't be an elitiest a hole by belittling an angler who may not have ever caught a Muskie before. This could be a great chance to help somebody at one of the most important and exciting moments of their fishing lives.

They will either have a fond memory of the fish and the guy that stopped by and helped him land it, or it will convince them that all Muskie anglers are elitist a holes that came by and ruined their moment of glory. Always remember, that first impressions are lasting impressions, especially when a Muskie is involved.

"Ace"

[cjac]

The problem is that most of us here "get it"; it's a matter of reaching those that don't read this and other muskie-related boards all day while pretending to be working for our employers that we need to reach. Yeah, we all have sour memories of mis-handled fish caught early on before we knew better, but the operative point is we learned!

Our opportunity is to accelerate the learning curve for others.

I fished a couple metro tourneys this year, with supposed "muskie guys" entered, and witnessed a bunch of hacks when it comes to fish handling. Fish on boat floors, taken for boat rides, out of water for several minutes of pic sessions, etc. Hartman saw it all too as he reviewed photos of fish entered on people's digital storage.

Underhill's articles in the MI mags last year were great, as was the latest issue with the photo sequence of how to CPR a fish. The problem is that they only reach a selective audience.

Search the MN DNR site and you'll quickly find how to fillet a pike; search on how to release a muskie.....not so easy.

We all "get it" here, it's a matter of getting that message out.

Chris

[john skarie]

How long you are comfortable holding your breathe underwater has nothing to do with putting human emotions in a fish. Having your body depleted of oxygen isn't an emotinal issue, it's a physical one.

It's merely a point, it doesn't take long for our bodies to tell use that we need air.

Funny how some people just can't stand the idea that others are actually interested in harming fish they intend to release as little as possible.

JS

[Musky Buck]

My boat partner and I have a plan that really minimizes this. We don't need professional photography and holds etc. We take 1 photo and we video each others release. The nets of today are a huge advantage as the fish never get tangled and the bag is deep enough once unhooked the fish can be in 3 feet of water before we quickly take her out and put her back in, from the time of getting the grip it takes roughly 10-15 seconds to snap a digital and back in she goes. Crop the pictures later if needed.

[DTro]

I would really like to see a study or some data of how a human holding their breath can be equated to a fish out of water. How is that analogous?

I tell ya what, not too long ago I had some crappies that I kept in some snow in a 5 gallon bucket in my garage overnight because I didn’t feel like cleaning them. Well the next day I bring them in and they were flopping to the point of me not being able to hold them.

You say, “different fish, different temp, etc”

Ok, but the point is that that fish was out of the water for 10 or more hours. So you are trying to tell me that if you tied me to an anchor and tossed me in some ice water overnight, I’d still be flopping around when you pulled me out?

While I understand how holding your breath might make for a good internal timer, I don’t think it should relate at all as to how long the fish can survive. I mean geez, I’m so out of shape that I’m lucky I can go a minute and I bet some people can go 5.

Asking someone “how does it feel to hold your breath for that long” is absolutely the same thing as asking “how does it feel to drag you around with a big hook stuck in you pie hole”.

Look, I’ve gone on record countless times trying to tell people what I think about handling big Cats and some things I think might help in survival of that fish, so I'm just as guilty and don’t even disagree about the handling thing, but asking someone “how would you feel?” is one step away from PETA.

These are after all, fish and I don’t care if they are Walleyes, Crappie, Bass, Carp, Musky, or Catfish, they shouldn’t be put up on a pedestal.