Nets and hook cutters

[92python]

I need some equipment for landing and releasing muskies. I have been a walleye fisherman all my life but have been fishing muskies more and more.

What should I look into as far as nets and hook cutters? I caught a 47" last year by myself. My net was too small but somehow fit the fish in, never took it out of the water and had no problem getting the hooks out. Seems like a need a much bigger net. Any recommendations?

What are the essential tools aside from nets / cradles for a one man operation?

Thanks.

[delmuts]

i like the frabil nets. mine isn't the biggest one but works well for me. as far as cutters go ! get a good side cutter for line,nets and the miner things. then get yourself a set of bolts cutters. there is a size that is about 10-12 in long and will cut thu most big hooks. many bait shops now carry them and if not, check at farm or tool supply stores. del

[MT Net]

Take a trip up to Thorne Bros. in Fridley. They have everything you coild possibly need...and want...plus more. Dare or Shimano wire cutters.

[RuKiddingMe]

Frabill and Beckman Nets are great nets. Get the biggest net you can comfortably fit in your boat, you'll be glad you did, make sure it has finsaver technology. With a bigger net you can leave the fish in the water while unhooking it. I have also heard good things about StowMaster nets, they fold up pretty small for storage.

As far as hook cutters go I would recommend a 8-10 inch Knipex bolt cutters, these snip hooks with ease, you can find them online just do a search in google or something.

Good Luck

RU

[This message has been edited by RuKiddingMe (edited 05-28-2004).]

[MURPHFISHER]

This may be a stupid question, but why do you cut the hooks? Do you still remove all of the hook after cutting it?

[RuKiddingMe]

You cut the hooks for a much faster release. When the fish has all three trebles in it's mouth there can be a lot of dinking around trying to get them out, and cutting them can be so much faster. When cutting the hooks you cut them as close to where they entered the mouth as you can and the little piece left just fall away in the lake. If you see any peices in the mouth try and grab them with a needle nose.

RU

[WoodlandSavage]

And a suture kit. I wish I had one with me a couple of years ago.

------------------
The Woodland Savage

"Grrr baby, very grrr!"

[cliffy]

Amen on the suture kit! Got five stiches in my right hand last year trying to bring in a 43 incher......best time I ever had.....

[Fish-n-Freak]

Sounds like everyone else has covered it pretty well.

Big net, GOOD hook cutter (knipex mini bolt cutter is the best!), Camera and a Fully stocked first aid kit. I have a few pictures of me holding a Muskie and you can see my thumb is all bandaged/taped up from a previous fish. Big hooks and Big teeth, along with sharp gill covers, can really cause damage in a hurry.

Having all the right tools will make the sport safer for you and the fish! :-)

Good Luck!
Steve

[barnyard]

I've had a couple of brands of hook cutters and the best, by far, are the knipex. Once you get a pair, tape a long length of cord to one of the handles so you can tie them to your boat.

For a net, I have a Frabil cradle hybrid. They're not made anymore, but they do work well and are easy for a person to use alone.

Another safety item you should have is a club. If you do get hooked to a muskie, sometimes the smartest thing you can do for yourself is to club the fish.

I've used my club twice. They were both on small northerns that the person I was with was non chalant about and get hooked.

Good Luck

Tom B

[TMan]

RU - thanks for finishing that comment about getting the pieces out of the mouth. A lot of people forget that these can fall down into the mouth and move toward the stomch and cause major problems for the fish, which pretty much counters their C&R efforts...

Oh, and Python, one additional item for a one man muskie fishing venture, first aide kit..seriously :-)

[This message has been edited by TMan (edited 05-28-2004).]

[delmuts]

i'll add one other thing . a cell phone.