?? on release practice

[Pistol Pete]

Caught a couple muskies yesterday. They both had a hard time going again. Both unhooked in the water in the net. Quick measure and pic and back in. No more than 30 seconds out of the water, I'm by no means a rookie at this. Water temp was from 75-76. Was thinking on the way home how better to release a fish and came up with this. How about a boga grip to hold the fish with once unhooked in the net. (all in the water) Boga grip to hold the fish in the water for a pic and a measurment. ??? Any sugestions???

[Muskycrazy]

One thing I do is any fish under 42"- 45" I don't take out of the water for pictures or to look at . Got plenty of pics of me and 40" and smaller fish so I don't take them out of the water or the net until releasing them . Just an idea you might use .

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I agree with Crazy. If it doesn't look 45"+ it doesn't leave the water. Also, hook cutters. I cut hooks on almost every fish I catch. Quick and causes less damage. Consider going barbless. I'm making the transition.

[MJBo]

I take pictures of almost every fish I catch.... They are all special and sometimes you can get a pic thats more special than you thought it would be. When your back goes out or whatever you'll enjoy every one of them. Don't feel bad about getting a pic of a 40 incher. The fact is (i believe) that we are very good at reviving and babying these fish and that the majority are fine. Always be as gentle and careful as you can be. Never leave the area where you release a fish until ~ 2 min has elaspsed (in case she has probles). If something bad happens then be at ease knowing you do the best you can and try and see if theres anything to learn then move on...

[EatSleepFish]

Has anyone had bad experiences with barbless hooks, you would think it'd be a lot easier for the fish to "throw" the bait? Or does it not make much of a difference?

[terrible_fisherman]

I have used them a lot when specifically targetting northerns and I do not believe that I have lost one yet that I would have gotten if I had the barb on. As long as you keep the line pretty tight the fish doesn't toss them too much. Another option is instead of buying true barbless hooks, just bend the barbs down on your existing hooks with a needlenoose plier. It will leave a slight bump rather then a barb but it is a good way to transition.

[EatSleepFish]

Could you maybe file off the barbs instead of squeezing them down?

[crazyice]

I have done that before(filing them down) and it works just fine, just a little more time consuming.

[Muskycrazy]

Hi Pete . Some good stuff here , mostly . I don't really agree with MJB that if something bad happens you can be at ease in knowing you did all you could . I think its probably the opposite , if something bad happpens , usually with just about everything , its because you didn't do all you could to prevent it . I'm not a Musky Gestapo type but I do believe in doing all I can to to aid the resource and that normally , for me , means minimum interaction with a smaller fish . The fact that you asked about this demonstrates your concern and that in its-self is probably the best tool you will have . Good luck .

[Pistol Pete]

Thanks for the kind works Muskycrazy. I don't want to damage a fish by using a boga grip and don't know anything about them. I was hoping for some imput on one before purchasing one and then finding out they damage a fish. I just hate to see a fish take a long time to get going and am trying to find a better release method yet still get a pic and measurment. At least with a boga my wife and son can get a picture with there fish in the water. I do NOT plan on holding the fish up with a boga. Just hold it in place in the water for measuring and picture purposes.

[B420]

Another thing to consider is getting a floating 60" ruler. You can get these at any muskie shop. You can just lay it next to them a get a good measure on them in the water. Personally I could care less if I am off by half an inch if it's going to help speed up the release.