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my muskie fishing dilemma: what would you do?


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O.K. I caught a 38" muskie on Tonka today grin.gif on a black Shallow Raider...not even legal to keep one that size, and still, got my heart pounding. My second muskie; last year I caught one on Rush about the same size.

This is the deal.

I just took up muskie fishing last year. I love and respect muskies, so much in fact that I would never keep one unless it was mortally wounded. The problem is that my landing net is pathetically small; it's o.k. for your average pike, walleye, or bass, but definitely not for muskies. I was by myself this sunday morning, and had to manage netting that awsome fish all by myself. IF I had a big net, no problem. But with my little net, problem. I struggled to get her into the boat without causing stress to her, but stress her I did. She swam away o.k., but not the best example of handling a big fish (actually not even a keeper).

Fact#1.

I want to keep fishing for muskies this year.

Fact#2.

I don't have the right sized net to properly c&r big muskies. (I am under the watchful eye of the $$$wife, and a big net purchase is definitely out of the question this year...should have planned for one this year, but didn't).

Tidbit of info...When I landed my boat, the boat inspecter told me that someone caught a 50" muskie in Wayzata bay saturday.

Fact#3. I could get a big 50" muskie on my line with a small net in my small 16' boat... that is a recipe for disaster shocked.gif.

Question...How can I continue to fish for those big muskies knowing that I have an inadequate net to fascilitate effective c&r confused.gif?

What would you do?

Help me with this, please.

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<><<><
Calvinist
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[This message has been edited by CALVINIST (edited 08-01-2004).]

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I would definitly start watching HSOList, garage sales, store sales and save my money for a good quality large coated net to put your mind at ease when you hook-up with that 50"er. Also make sure you have the proper hook remover, bolt cutters and mouth spreaders, to help insure that qick release.
Congrats the catches!

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May your replica be large and your stories even Larger!

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MM,

Bolt cutter I have. Hook remover too. What would you recommend for a quality mouth spreader? I have the "cheap" version, but it turns mt stomach just thinking about using it on a muskie. ...

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<><<><
Calvinist
><>><>

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This is what I would do...First off, I would do a little shopping and find out where I could get the most net, for the least amount of money.

Then I would think "lunimin" ladders, lawn chairs, beverage cans, lots of lunimin.(Maybe even some of the neighbors siding..back side of the garage and house, were it would'nt be noticed)

Then I would inform the kids that from now on, professional haircuts are out...dads gonna do it..."Gotta save some scratch for the net, go get the bowl and the gas powered hedge clippers"!

I would inform the troops that for the next few holiday dinners, the hams, turkeys, prime rib, etc. is out....polish sausages and ball park franks will be the main dish(Arranged to look like a turkey of course).

And of course, knowing that I would be saving all the dough down the line, I'd buy the net up front!

"Bingo", problem solved!

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cal. if your net is of decent size; go some where ( i got mine at cableas) and buy a frabil replacement net for it. second even the cheap jaws spreader won't do much harm to a fish. also, i have crimped the barbs down on my muskie lures for two reasons; one for easy release of the fish and second for easier removal incase a person gets hooked. remember to keep the fish in the water while you unhook it. take it out for pictures ; then back into the water. my $.02 . del

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Galvin,

I have the SAME problem. my only problem is that i am young and only in a 14 foot boat. my net would handle a small muskie 30 inch but i want a big muskie 40 in. this stinks guyes. and a good quality net is around $80-125. i guess i will have to make a long distance release.. lol wink.gif

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I purchased a net at cabelas just as big as the beckmanns and it only cost me $35 not sure the make, but my 15 year old sister can stand in it and its up almost to her chest. High quality and cheap-if your near cabelas, id take a look.

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Calvinist -

first off, interesting name...I would have to say that I agree, but I digress. This is a fishing forum, no?

Anyway, if you're handy with the tools at all, why not make yourself a cradle? A couple of pieces of 2x2 and some nice strong mesh attached between them would be cheaper than a big old net that costs you $75 or more.

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Fishin' is life
The rest is just details

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I land all mine by hand and haven't had any problems (other than shaking knees). A net is nice if you have a second person, but I find it easier to grab them when alone. The bigger, the easier...

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Tonka Boy

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Options;
1) Fish with someone that has the net and other tools also.
2) When fishing alone, keep the fish in the water, cut the hooks and release ASAP. Nobody there to take your picture anyway.
3) Go barbless - then just pull the easy hooks, or cut the ones that are hard to get out. Again keep in the water and release ASAP.
4) Do Not use the jaw spreaders unless they are attached to the boat, with a good length of rope. If they get away from you, they are dead.
5) BUY a net! It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission.;-) LOL

Good Luck!
Steve

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Well, after reviewing all the available options, I am going with "the Grebe's" Just kidding! (You do crack me up though, Grebe) Really, I think I will make the cradle for fishing with a partner, and then master the art of landing by hand until I can afford a net next year.

Thanks for your help.

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<><<><
Calvinist
><>><>

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Go Buy the net, she'll get over it. smile.gif

Hand landing, can be tough for a newby to master, be a man and buy the net.

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Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
Lake Vermilion
Muskies and More.

Pro Staff Member.
Catch-n Tackle.
CKat Custom Muskie rods.
Bearpaws Handpoured Baits
Ohio Pro Lure.
Muskie Nut Tackle.
Big Chimney Muskie Baits.
Marcum.

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I'm in agreement with guideman. A cradle is a tough option if you are alone. I don't like to use them at all, I would rather hand-land the fish than have my face near hooks/teeth/gill-rakers while she's in the water. If you want to protect the fish and yourself, the only real option is the big net.

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SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

[This message has been edited by buzbunni (edited 08-02-2004).]

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just this year i was at the same problem NO NET. well i live very close to the iowa lakes area and there are very large fish there 55"+. well i was bass fishing and low and behold a musky. well i dont use nets for smallie's so i use my hands to land the. just takes practice. or buy one of those big fish lip grabber things with a scale on them

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Mighty Muskie,

Sadly I have to work until 5pm on thursday. I could get out around 6, but we would have to opt for Tonka. I also have this friday morning open. I am also planning a trip to Rush on August 12th, if you want to go. Net or no, I am going! BTW, where is this French lake you speak of? What kind of ski's are in there?

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<><<><
Calvinist
><>><>

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You can get a Cabelas' Big fish net for $54.00. I use this net and it will handle big fish....Saves room in the boat too.

Hand landing for a beginner is nerv racking! You will freak out and shake at your knees.

Do not get a cradle! No coating on it and it takes 2 people anyway.

A net serves as a big livewell while unhooking the fish!

$54.00 is well worth it!

What line are you using? You can play the fish but do not play it to ther point till she is real tired. 80lb Power Pro or Tuff Line XP is perfect line to use! Bring the fish to the boat, net her and unhook her......

Please practice CPR to preserve our Muskie fishery!

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Calvinist,
I have to work Friday morning, unfortunately. French Lake is a little west of Faribault. There is definitly some good muskies in there just getting them to bit is the problem. I've never Fished Minnetonka, but keep saying I'm going to try it. Where would you put in at? It would probably take me about 2 hours to get up there, I'll give it some thought.

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May your replica be large and your stories even Larger!

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