Fishing Alone

[Genofish]

Do you any of you guys fish for Musky alone, and if so how do you handle a big fish yourself? And how do you get a picture?

[HugoBox]

I fish alone about half the time (many short trips between kids' activities). Its been stated here often, but first having a good (and big) net is important. That allows you to leave the fish in the water which is safer for the fish and you. Also, many have stated it here as well but having the correct de-hooking tools. I use to not think of it as much, but now I plan on catching a fish EVERY trip which means my release tools are organized an laid out - that includes having my net ready and not stowed. I even remove any extra seats from their pedastals, but that's party because I like to be able to walk around the boat more if I'm playing a fish.

As far as pictures, take some test shots - I put the camera on the bow hear the T/M and have figured out where I need to squat to be framed using the self-timer. That said, my biggest to date is somewhere betwee 44 and 47 but I didn't get a great measurement or photo because it was at night and I didn't want to risk the fish's health just so I could have a number and a picture. I did get a picture of it as I held its tail on the release and I actually really dig that angle almost better than the typcial pose we all make.

One other thing I've done since then is to use a sharpie to make a ruler on the outside of my boat just at the water line. This way I can get my measurement with the fish still in the water as I'm releasing it.

I still like a good photo, but the stirke and the fight are what I remember and appreciate the best anyway.

[eyehead]

For pictures...... Get a tri-pod. Take a few test shots before your out on the water and your good to go.

[muskiedreams]

If you got a console boat they sell a suction camera holder at best buy that works pretty slick. I just suction It to the windsheild and it holds camera weight great!

[mtreno]

i fish alone a ton - way more than i musky fish with others in my boat. the most important that i have learned is to pay extra attention to everything you do. not only in cpr'in a fish but in how you work the boat - where you are standing - water and weather conditions - ect. the only person you have to rely on is yourself so be carefull. i fish alot at night and late season by myself - lots of 3am till 9am trips where you dont see another boat until sunup...... first thing i always keep in mind my safety.

as stated in pervious post keep your tools handy (they always should be anyway). use a big net. get your fish unhooked and make sure she is healthy in the net. you need to have your tripod already hooked up so all you have to do is set it up. my camera is slick enough to have a timer with multable picture setting. i have it set to take 10 pictures 7 seconds apart. i start it - get my fish - and in no longer than 7 seconds i have a great photo (i also get some great pics of me bet over the side of the boat). as far as getting good photos it takes a little pratice but after a few fish i was getting great pics by myself.

[b1gf1sh1]

 Quote:

Do you any of you guys fish for Musky alone, and if so how do you handle a big fish yourself? And how do you get a picture?

i pretty much fish alone when i'm going for muskie serious. i have patterns i'm not willing to share. but getting a photo really is'nt top priority for me anymore. i cut the length to 46'' and fat. anything else get unhooked boat side in the net or out. i have a polaroid with a timer if the need arises. sits nice on my dash and a 15 second timer goes off and i'm on my knees or feet in the right spot figured out along time ago. for measureing quick i have a 1/4 inc no stretch rope i tied a figure 8 knot at 46''s. fast measure if it's over the fish rests in the net no less than 10 full minutes. then out, knot tied again for it's length pic and then revival. i have a 100% swimmer rating. something i'm proud of. and i never figure 8. something else i'm proud of. every tip above for preperation is a great tip. a cheap kids tackle box works good to store your doctors bag of goodies. good luck.

[eyehead]

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i never figure 8. something else i'm proud of.

Why are you so proud to not figure 8???? Should I be ashamed that half of my fish last year were caught on the 8 and all succsefully released. Just curious man

[Tim_Anderson]

I fish alone a fair amount...not as much as I used to, but I still do. Fighting the fish changes a bit when you're alone. I really try to keep a clean boat...no lures and excess junk laying around. Then I use the entire boat to fight the fish. One of the worst things I see people doing is "planting themselves"...I see many fish lost this way. I like to run around the boat and basically chase the fish...it takes some of the pressure off (I keep my drag cranked down tight), and then I hit the free spool if I need to give it some room to run. I use a long rod to steer the fish around obstacles, like motors and such. When the fish is eventually tired, I time the fishes pass by the boat for when I can

grab the net (which I already have extended and ready), and then I take a shot. I like to net a fish with momentum, rather than one who is sitting there wallowing or thrashing in place. Again, tend to lose fish doing that, because they usually have their mouths open when they're thrashing. Much less likely to lose them if you net them as they're swimming by.

If a fish has momentum coming toward the boat, I keep it coming by reeling down hard, lifting the rod hard with my left arm, and swooping the net with my right all in one motion.

If I see them break away I drop the net and wait for a better try. I just don't take chances unless I'm pretty darn sure I can net the fish.

As far as pictures go, when I am alone, I tend not to photograph fish unless they are at least upper forties. When I do, I use the self timer, and set it up while the fish is resting in the net in the water. I set it up, take a test shot, and then set it up again. Then I get the fish and take one photo, two at the most.

My decision to photograph the fish depends alot on the conditions. If the fight was long and the fish is stressed, I may make the decision not to take the photo. This will be especially true if the water temps are high.

Last year, I caught my personal best 53 incher while fishing by myself. The battle was longer than usual, and I muffed the first net job. The water temp was up in the 80's the evening before, but had dropped down to the mid-seventies during the night. I didn't want to risk hurting the fish, so I let it go without a picture. Hard to do, but the fish comes first...more important than a picture.

Lucky for me, I caught a bigger one the next morning, and that time, I had company along to snap a few quick photos. It all worked out in the end.

Good luck,

[b1gf1sh1]

because i figure 8ed a mabe, 35'', northern and it missed my lure, hooked itself in the pectoral took off and ripped a six inch strip of flesh and it's fin clean off. was on my hook when it disappeared. not going to ruin my realease record that way. never gill hooked a fish myself. seen a guy i know do it and it aint pretty. was 38''s. what you think was done with it?? i pull it straight and walk or run around my boat.

[cjac]

b1gf1sh1, it's OK to 8.....

First and foremost I appreciate your conservationist minded attitude, but using a four letter word, subsitiute as you wish, "fish" happens. Simple as that....if you approach the water with the mindset you have and the unfortunate hookset happens, well.....it happens. Killed a upper 20 inch pike on a lake in Canada that hammered a lure, but had to let it go.

I'd honestly say you're selling yourself short by not doing the 8. After all, that's why you're out there, right? Above that, the thrill of watching one eat at your feet is unmatched. On top of that, the fish is usually "hot" on a bait moving pretty darn fast, so hook-ups are more often in the snout or corner of the mouth. Pretty quick fight too, as it's on a short leash. I've probably had my easiest releases on fish caught on the 8 really.....

Pick the right lures if you're concerned, like single hook bucks like a Lilly Tail, or one treble lure bucks. Better yet, with barbless it's not so much a risk. The unfortunate is more likely to happen on a pause or twitch presentation, where you don't feel her right away.

[Huey]

One bit of advice I'll offer to use an extra long (6' or so) handled net. It makes the solo net job easier. On my old beckman I used some wooden closet rod to extend the handle. I have StowMaster now which extends to 7' (if I remember right). The longer reach really helps when you are trying to control the fish with one hand and making the scoop with the other.

Huey

[Tippman]

I fish alone most the time for muskies. For the picture I just use my pedistal seat in the front for a camera rest. It works perfect. Set it on there, push the timer, then grab the fish in the net for the pic and let it go. Fish is only out of the water for 10 seconds max. And no tripod to worry about setting up or being in the way. The pic in my avatar was taken this way..they always turn out.

[Genofish]

I appreciate all of the advice. I am going cross over to Musky fishing and want to make sure i have all of my basses covered. I fish alone 95% of the time and want to be prepared.

Any advice on getting started would be appreciated.

Thanks

[b1gf1sh1]

 Quote:

b1gf1sh1, it's OK to 8.....

First and foremost I appreciate your conservationist minded attitude

chris. thanks for the empathy, really thanks i apprieciate it. i was figure 8'n before figure 8'n was cool. never had a hitch till that fish. i have done it a few times since but it's more out of habbit than anything. kind of like riding a bike. when ever i think about doing it i see that fishes hunk of meat on my hook, and i feel bad. i go fishing to relax... and sweating'' am i going to kill this fish'' aint relaxing. i don't begrudge a guy who does it. i did it for years, i know that rush, and i don't miss it. i still get it. just a mental thing for me. i wish i could just say, ''stuff happens''. but i can't in this case.

besides i catch plenty of fish throughout the year and if i miss a few, no biggy, ya know. pulling the bait forward still get's them to hit alot of the time. and walking around the boat works too. i'm happy.