Guys I am might get blasted for this but I am going to do it anyway. There have been multiple large muskie found dead on the beaches of Turkey Point. Including 4 this morning. This source has found 7 this year. After the nice weather and multiple boats out fishing this past weekend its very painful to see. PLEASE lets get this out in the open and common. DO NOT FISH for these fish if you are not completely prepared to deal with them. They may be a top apex predator but that are an extremely fragile specimen. Muskie fishing requires several things that make the experience for both fish and angler a lasting one.
1) Heavy tackle
7' to 9' XH rods
65 to 100lb braid
80lb leaders
This helps get the fish into the boat quickly and causes less stress on the fish. The longer they fight the worse they are. They will discolor red & possibly bleed from their tail and skin all over the body in these times of stress. Less red and blood, less stress.
2) Huge nets
These fish are big and need huge nets. Once netted they can sit perfectly up right in the water inside the net. Scooping them into a small net and cupping them is extremely hard on them and their skin.
3) Heavy long nose pliers, jaw spreaders & BOLT CUTTERS
This one is very important. Do not dig the huge hooks out of these fish. Simply cut them with bolt cutters, they will work free. The stresses of digging at them and flipping them around cause them huge stress.
4) Bump boards
Many companies sell bump boards to measure fish. They are not hard on their skin and can give you a quick measurement. DO NOT lay them on the floor of the boat for measuring, they can flop around damage themselves and their skin. Do not hold them up by the gills alone either. Big fish are very heavy and that can damage the gill plates. Once ready pick them up quick supporting them under their mid section.
Once ready for release DO NOT torpedo them over board. The stresses they just endured require them some time to recover. If you have a big spread of lines out, STOP, I know its a shitty deal getting everything in and possibly untangled but these fish are worth the respect of stopping and dealing with them properly. Take in to account all the time you spend fishing for them, and dedicate a touch of it to preserving this awesome fishery we have here right now. Have some respect and please use the proper equipment to target them properly.
Others have posted some of the same tips, lets please try and keep these fish healthy.
Just note I do not care what people might have to say about this post. I have made my thoughts clear and I am not going to get into an internet troll battle. This is the only post I will make .This is how muskie fishing should be. I fully understand people wanting to target these fish but please do with the proper equipment and be prepared for what might happen on the water.
Let's keep this awesome fishery the way we found it...Please.
1) Heavy tackle
7' to 9' XH rods
65 to 100lb braid
80lb leaders
This helps get the fish into the boat quickly and causes less stress on the fish. The longer they fight the worse they are. They will discolor red & possibly bleed from their tail and skin all over the body in these times of stress. Less red and blood, less stress.
2) Huge nets
These fish are big and need huge nets. Once netted they can sit perfectly up right in the water inside the net. Scooping them into a small net and cupping them is extremely hard on them and their skin.
3) Heavy long nose pliers, jaw spreaders & BOLT CUTTERS
This one is very important. Do not dig the huge hooks out of these fish. Simply cut them with bolt cutters, they will work free. The stresses of digging at them and flipping them around cause them huge stress.
4) Bump boards
Many companies sell bump boards to measure fish. They are not hard on their skin and can give you a quick measurement. DO NOT lay them on the floor of the boat for measuring, they can flop around damage themselves and their skin. Do not hold them up by the gills alone either. Big fish are very heavy and that can damage the gill plates. Once ready pick them up quick supporting them under their mid section.
Once ready for release DO NOT torpedo them over board. The stresses they just endured require them some time to recover. If you have a big spread of lines out, STOP, I know its a shitty deal getting everything in and possibly untangled but these fish are worth the respect of stopping and dealing with them properly. Take in to account all the time you spend fishing for them, and dedicate a touch of it to preserving this awesome fishery we have here right now. Have some respect and please use the proper equipment to target them properly.
Others have posted some of the same tips, lets please try and keep these fish healthy.
Just note I do not care what people might have to say about this post. I have made my thoughts clear and I am not going to get into an internet troll battle. This is the only post I will make .This is how muskie fishing should be. I fully understand people wanting to target these fish but please do with the proper equipment and be prepared for what might happen on the water.
Let's keep this awesome fishery the way we found it...Please.