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The ferocious Musky is actually a very sensitive and fragile resource which must be handled with care and confidence if we hope to preserve and improve our fisheries. Therefore, the handling of these fish is an important and often overlooked aspect of our sport.
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Some anglers choose to keep their catch in the water during the entire release process. This, of course, is the best option to insure that the Musky will properly revive from the great struggle of the catch, and eventually swim away to fight another day.
Pictured here we see a 60" measuring stick that can accurately measure your catch without subjecting the fish to any undue handling. |
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| Among an array of necessary Musky release tools are a long-nose pliers and a shorter needle-nose pliers, a Baker's Hook-Out to disgorge deeper-hooked fish, a mouth spreader, a good bolt cutters to cut hooks whenever necessary, a hook file to better ensure that your hookup and ultimate catch rate will be as high as possible,, and extra hooks in the event that hooks must be cut ... and you'll be able to continue throwing that "hot bait of the day". |
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A proper "musky hold" requires that one place a firm single-hand hold between a Musky's gill and mandible (the lower jaw ... imagine the fish's chin). The gill plates of a Musky are like razor blades, and can rakes (cuts) to a hand can require medical care and possible stitches if the cuts are severe.
A good pair of protective gloves made specifically for the purpose of handling Musky can be purchased from any number of retail sources. Pictured here are a pair of Musky Armor handling and release gloves. Additionally, |
such gloves can help in preserving the protective slime coat that envelopes the fish, and protects it from abrasions, susceptibility to infection, and overall malaise.
REMEMBER: Immerse such gloves in water and completely saturate them before handling the fish. |
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A large landing net (36" to 44") with a deep bag is the recommended and preferred way to contain your trophy Muskies.
Such a net is large enough that a fish can be safely unhooked while still in the water, and ostensibly acts as a cage where the fish can begin to safely revive while you prepare either your digital camera for a few very quick pictures, or while you relax a little until your knees stop shaking!
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| Use of a cradle requires two people. Lead the Musky into the cradle and then close the cradle around the Musky and close securely. You may them remove the hooks, measure, and release the Musky by opening the cradle. |
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| For those larger fish that we truly wish to catalogue, a cloth measuring tape can easily be slipped around a fish to measure girth (thickness around the middle of the fish. This method is almost exclusively conducted while the fish is in the water. |
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Muskies Inc. pamphlet of Release Tips
can be viewed and downloaded HERE
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