Just wanted to share some tips on tools you may want to consider to help with C&R Tiger Muskies and Pike.
These tools are a must IMHO for anglers who are serious about fishing for these types of fish.
The tools may be a bit pricey by the man in the "red suit" is coming in a little over a month...So besides a good quality knotless net here are the 3 tools that are a must. I'd rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
We used the hookpick 4 times this season and just today when the Tiger Musky totally inhaled the entire lure.
1) Knipex hook cutters
[url "http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html"]http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html[/url]
2) Hookpick [url "http://hookpick.com/"]http://hookpick.com/[/url]
3) 10" Jaw Spreaders
Also here's a good video on C&R techniques:
[url "http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=766"]http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=766[/url]
Again just wanted to share these things with others. Have a great weekend. [
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Dang k2muskie,
Ya got me spending much of the night watching your videos. Great stuff in the video department.
I didn't see much in regards to the use of cradle nets. I sure love mine for handeling big muskie. But I think the reason I like my cradle net so much is because in my boat, I am close to the water. I don't think a cradle net is much good to fishermen whose boats keep them way high up away from the water.
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We don't have a cradle net...we use Frabil the largest one Sportsman had. Think it's the "big khauna" I tell you one thing that net was well worth the money we paid for it...knotless and 85% of the time the hook comes out right in the net and it's very easy to remove as it doesn't get embedded into the net like with the non-knotless nets.
Plus it's much better for the fish's skin and eyes. [
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WIth the numerous recent posts about TIgers and Pike I think it is only fitting that we start putting a little pressure on the state about working to plant some more pike and if can not get the eggs they want go with actual Muskie (non hyrid). Let's look at this...and for those people that have caught one over 36" I think they will nearly all agree.....would you rather catch 10 16" trout or one 40" pike or muskie? Musky have more money spent on them per fish caught than any populated freshwater fish in the US ( I would speculate)...this is a benefit to the state, the sport and the businesses. We need more BIG fish as Utah has offered fewer big trout opportunites than they did in the past (such as the decreasing large bows at Strawberry).
I would rather catch 1 40" tiger than 200 16" trout.[
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Hey thanks for your post! In my enthusiasm to catch a tiger I'd really given no thought to what I'd do if I actually did! I think I'll head up to pineview this weekend with some new toys and hopefully I'll get to use them! Thanks again!
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[quote lunkerhunter2]I would rather catch 1 40" tiger than 200 16" trout.[
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Agreed.
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Unlike years past, I did not fish for trout. Strawberry only one time, as I recall. All my energy to say nothing of substantial sums of greenbacks was spent in pursuit of big pike at Yuba.
The effort paid off even though it has become an obsession. We were the first on the water after a partial ice off in the spring and were trapped by shifting ice and I will probably be the last boat on Yuba before the ice over. Why the obsession for a fish that is destined to be released and that I average only one fish for every 3 trips? It is because they are such great fighters and they acheive a decent size.
I would prefer to catch billfish and roosterfish, but since they are thousands of miles away I have elected to chase the finest game fish available to me in Utah! That means big pike and tigers. If you do not think they are a worthy and tremendous game fish, you haven't caught a 40".
I, also would like to see the DWR do more with Pike and Muskies, but I suspect this isn't going to happen so we have the limited resources that are available to us. More of us should take advantage of this and make it continue to happen with very careful catch and release. If you want something to eat, go kill trout on a "Put and take" water or catfish and panfish from numerous Utah waters. If you want the excitement of catching monster fish.....get involved in Pike and Musky fishing! Tight lines
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[indent]Chasing the tiger muskies has really felt like true sport to me. All fishing is sport, but it's on a whole new level when I am targeting those fish. I have never spent so much $ and time chasing them. It's a real battle and a test of patience and skill to find, hook, land, photograph, and release those wolves. It is very exciting. I have yet to catch any pike, but I'll try it this ice fishing season at least once.
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