What to do when you finally get a muskie in the net?

[JoeR67]

I've always wondered what the preferred method of releasing muskies is.

Do you use gloves when handling?

Once in the net, do you bring the fish on board?

Do you take the hooks out while the fish is still in the net?

Do you leave the fish in the water, in the net, and remove the hooks?

Do they slosh around and kick a lot if you remove the hooks in the water?

What if the fish is bleeding? Do you still hold it up for a picture?

What is your method of unhooking and releasing a muskie?

Please share anything and everything as far as successfully and safely releasing a muskie.

[deerhuntr8]

First I lift it out of the net by the eyesockets, then I beat it profusely about the head to subdue it. After that I carefully remove the hooks so I dont harm the fish.

Sorry, just kidding. I couldn't help myself.

I never use gloves. I just dont like them and would rather feel the fish.

Once it is in the net, that is where I unhook it. The more time the fish is in the water the better. Also if it will take too long to remove hooks, just cut them and remove the pieces that are stuck.

Sometimes they flop around in the net, and sometimes they are too tired. Either way, leave the fish in the net.

If the fish is bleeding, as long as you didn't rip out a set of gills or its throat, I would assume it will be fine.

When releasing the fish, move it back and forth to force water through its gills. Make sure it will swim away under its own power. Sometimes this takes a while.

I am not a musky expert by any means, but that is what I do. Hope it helps.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I leave the net in the water and unhook the fish while still in the net (you're going to want a true muskie net). I have everything ready before I make the first cast pliers, bolt cutters, spreaders. The spreaders are tied to a cord so they dont fall into the water or a fish doesnt swim off with them firmly in the mouth. I only take the fish out of the water for a second to snap a quick picture ( try to support the whole body, not just a gill cover hold).

Lastly, Ive heard its better if you dont push the fish back and forth when releasing anyone else care to chime in? I usually just hold the tail gently until the fish swims away.

[garage_logician]

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Lastly, Ive heard its better if you dont push the fish back and forth when releasing anyone else care to chime in? I usually just hold the tail gently until the fish swims away.

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I have heard that moving them back and forth can actually drown the fish. Instead we have always gently held the fish under its belly and throat and pull them slowly through the water with the trolling motor. This forces water past their gills in the proper direction. This is the method that we have always used and it seems to work well. :-)

g

[eyefever]

Drown a fish? Unless fish started growing lungs it is not possible to drown fish. Fish gills are designed for moving forward so using the trolling motor sounds like a good idea. Also watch out for high surface water temps as the higher water temp can shock the fish.

[DinkADunk]

I keep them in the net until photo time and then only take them out for a few seconds. First thing I try to do is relax, get my whits about me and then go about unhooking the fish (in the water). If it takes more than a few moments out comes the bolt cutters to cut the trebles off the lure. After that then set up the picture, get ready, and then lift the fish with both hands, support the fish, take picture and then back into the water.

[TMF89]

eyefever, it actually is possible to drown a fish. If water is forced through the fish's gills too fast, it doesn't have time to absorb the oxygen. Think about it like if a person tries breathing shallowly very rapidly, eventually you become short of oxygen. I've never experienced a problem with moving the fish back and forth, but I do find that idea interesting. From now on when I get the chance I think I'll keep them going in one direction. I would imagine the only way you'd seriously endanger the fish is if you did it very very rapidly.

[RK]

Hiya -

I don't net many fish (I prefer to hand land) but when I do use a net...

I never use gloves. Too easy to get fingers in where they don't belong (up into the gill rakers, etc.) when you can't feel what you're doing. Gill lamellae are very very fragile...

Some of the time at least the net unhooks the fish for you. Hooks catch in the net, and they pull out of the fish. Great when it happens... Most of the fish I net are trolling in late fall, so the fish often have a face full of hooks. Much of the time, I start with the bolt cutters, and cut every hook I can see. Especially when they get wrapped up in the net, it's the easiest, fastest, and safest way to go. Once all the visible hooks are cut off, I see where the hooks in the fish are, and most often cut those too (may as well - have to replace the hooks anyhow...). I keep the fish's head in the water as much as possible as I unhook it. If you can, get the fish in a 'lip lock' to keep them from thrashing.

If the fish is distressed at all (hot water, difficult to unhook, or bleeding) I personally won't hold them up for a photo. Just a release shot if I want one. Otherwise, if you do want a photo, get the camera ready, a quick lift to a supported horizontal hold, a few quick snaps, and back in the water. Shouldn't take more than 10-15 seconds...

Main things to remember when handling and releasing fish are: A.) the less you handle them the better off they'll be. B.) Stressors are cumulative. Hot water, long fights, long unhooking process - all add to the cumulative stress the fish is undergoing. c.) the head is the part that breathes. Keep it in the water...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[MuskieMojoTackle]

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Drown a fish? Unless fish started growing lungs it is not possible to drown fish. Fish gills are designed for moving forward so using the trolling motor sounds like a good idea. Also watch out for high surface water temps as the higher water temp can shock the fish.

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You can aboslutely drown a fish. Gills made to work with water flowing over them one way. Pull a fish backward and it will not be able to breathe and you will drown it.

[cjac]

On cutting hooks........I had a Hardware store cutters and thought they were OK. Someone told me to really consider the Knipex, (thanks Baldy). I picked them up and compared to my other ones in the garage on some old hooks; there is no comparison. The others will cut, but not with the ease of the Knipex, especially important when time and safety are the primary concerns. Like comparing a good steak knife to a plastic knife.

Just a point to consider. They're not cheap, but worth it, especially if the hooks are ever in your hand, or worse. Chris

[RK]

Hiya -

Chris is right on about the knipex - they're invaluable. Can cut a 7/0 with one hand. They're spendy, but they last. I used to go through a set of hardware store mini bolt cutters each season at @ $20/pair. The Knipex I have cost $50, and I've had them for 7 seasons now...do the math...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm