06-25-2009, 03:59 PM
Seen a few posts here and on other forums on how folks are having a great time experiencing the success of catching a TM.
Just want to share some very sincere C&R recommendations on ensuring the survival of this great fish.
So here goes a little info with you all especially those who'd like to try for the fish of 10,000 casts. Believe you me I want to share this with you because in our early TM quest we made some really dumb mistakes but learned from them. We're not perfect by any means but have learned from experience and reading.
Anyways, first here's a couple of links to view and then my .02 on the topic. Hope this helps you out.
[url "http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=766"][/url][#0000ff]Link deleted -- sorry, but links to competing sites with forums is not allowed on BFT -- Kent[/#0000ff]
[url "http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/tiger_muskie_tips.php"]http://wildlife.utah.gov/...iger_muskie_tips.php[/url]
Don’t fight the fish to exhaustion….get the fish to the boat as quickly as possible especially in the summer. Fighting the fish builds up acid in it's muscle tissues depleting oxygen and causes more of them to die when released. That’s why we don’t use mono line and use the super braid. I'd recommend a minimum 40 lb test.
A good quality knotless deep basket net is needed to prevent injuring the fish eyes, fins, and protective coating. But these nets are pricey...so it's recommended but will leave that to you. We have a deep basket Frabil.
Keep the fish in the net in water while removing the hook. We've found 85% plus of the time the hook comes out in the net. When you hook a TM 95% of the time it's just lipped hooked.
Once the hook is out get it out of the way and stow the pole. With the TM in the water in the net grab the tail and turn it on side this puts the fish into a trance like state. Have a firm fist grip per the video above.
Keep the fish on it's side holding the tail then with the other hand place it in the forward most portion of the gill plate and not in the gills. Keeping the TM on it's side lift the fish into the boat for a quick measurement/picture. Make sure you have a 'firm' fist grip in the goose neck of the forward part of the jaw. We measure first then picture then quickly back into the water or place in the net. We use a bump board to measure the fish as it's quick...here's a link to check out what these boards look like. I'm sure the craftsman out there could make yourself one.
[url "http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml"][/url][url "http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml"]http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml[/url]
Never pinch the fish's eye's that's an ole wise tail. If you do this it will permentaly damage the eyes causing blindness.
Never place your fingers in direct contact with the fishes gills as they can tear very easily.
Never hold the fish continually in the vertical postion as this can damage vital internal organs as gravity takes over. All fish use the water to support them in a horizontal position.
Never place the fish on the bottom of a hot metal boat in the summer. Another death sentence to the fish. We know what hot bottom metal boats feel like I hope. So need I say more.
Never have the fish out of the water more than 25-30 seconds maximum.
Never just plop/toss the fish over the side…place the fish in the water holding it’s tail moving it from side to side until you feel the fish wanting to swim away on its own. Just plopping a “large” TM over the side is a death sentence to the fish. They sink to the bottom belly up and drown.
Must tools I'd recommend are good quality side cutters that will cut a hook another lesson we learned as craftsman side cutters didn't cut the hook. Hence we upgraded to Knipex here's a link so you can see what I'm talking about...bit pricey but well worth the investment IMHO.
[url "http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html"]http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_d ... nipex.html[/url]
[url "http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html"][/url]large jaw spreaders at least 10 inchs, hook remover or hook pic, long 10# needle nose pliers, and gloves if you want.
I've heard of horror stories with folks using the Rapala grippers one story from a guy at work he didn't have the lanyard loop around his wrist and the TM made a violent shake and fell into the water with the gripper still engaged. Well without a doubt that fish will eventually die. If you have to use the grippers make sure to place the lanyard loop around your wrist.
Tiger Muskies are a “sterile” fish…once it’s gone that’s one less. The TM is a very hearty fish and if properly handled and released "will" survive.
So there you have it... good luck and I hope the above helps you out someday if you happen to hook into one of these fish of 10,000 casts and especially a 'large' one.
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Just want to share some very sincere C&R recommendations on ensuring the survival of this great fish.
So here goes a little info with you all especially those who'd like to try for the fish of 10,000 casts. Believe you me I want to share this with you because in our early TM quest we made some really dumb mistakes but learned from them. We're not perfect by any means but have learned from experience and reading.
Anyways, first here's a couple of links to view and then my .02 on the topic. Hope this helps you out.
[url "http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=766"][/url][#0000ff]Link deleted -- sorry, but links to competing sites with forums is not allowed on BFT -- Kent[/#0000ff]
[url "http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/tiger_muskie_tips.php"]http://wildlife.utah.gov/...iger_muskie_tips.php[/url]
Don’t fight the fish to exhaustion….get the fish to the boat as quickly as possible especially in the summer. Fighting the fish builds up acid in it's muscle tissues depleting oxygen and causes more of them to die when released. That’s why we don’t use mono line and use the super braid. I'd recommend a minimum 40 lb test.
A good quality knotless deep basket net is needed to prevent injuring the fish eyes, fins, and protective coating. But these nets are pricey...so it's recommended but will leave that to you. We have a deep basket Frabil.
Keep the fish in the net in water while removing the hook. We've found 85% plus of the time the hook comes out in the net. When you hook a TM 95% of the time it's just lipped hooked.
Once the hook is out get it out of the way and stow the pole. With the TM in the water in the net grab the tail and turn it on side this puts the fish into a trance like state. Have a firm fist grip per the video above.
Keep the fish on it's side holding the tail then with the other hand place it in the forward most portion of the gill plate and not in the gills. Keeping the TM on it's side lift the fish into the boat for a quick measurement/picture. Make sure you have a 'firm' fist grip in the goose neck of the forward part of the jaw. We measure first then picture then quickly back into the water or place in the net. We use a bump board to measure the fish as it's quick...here's a link to check out what these boards look like. I'm sure the craftsman out there could make yourself one.
[url "http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml"][/url][url "http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml"]http://www.dunwrighttackle.com/accessories.shtml[/url]
Never pinch the fish's eye's that's an ole wise tail. If you do this it will permentaly damage the eyes causing blindness.
Never place your fingers in direct contact with the fishes gills as they can tear very easily.
Never hold the fish continually in the vertical postion as this can damage vital internal organs as gravity takes over. All fish use the water to support them in a horizontal position.
Never place the fish on the bottom of a hot metal boat in the summer. Another death sentence to the fish. We know what hot bottom metal boats feel like I hope. So need I say more.
Never have the fish out of the water more than 25-30 seconds maximum.
Never just plop/toss the fish over the side…place the fish in the water holding it’s tail moving it from side to side until you feel the fish wanting to swim away on its own. Just plopping a “large” TM over the side is a death sentence to the fish. They sink to the bottom belly up and drown.
Must tools I'd recommend are good quality side cutters that will cut a hook another lesson we learned as craftsman side cutters didn't cut the hook. Hence we upgraded to Knipex here's a link so you can see what I'm talking about...bit pricey but well worth the investment IMHO.
[url "http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html"]http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_d ... nipex.html[/url]
[url "http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/lure_doctoring/luredoc_knipex.html"][/url]large jaw spreaders at least 10 inchs, hook remover or hook pic, long 10# needle nose pliers, and gloves if you want.
I've heard of horror stories with folks using the Rapala grippers one story from a guy at work he didn't have the lanyard loop around his wrist and the TM made a violent shake and fell into the water with the gripper still engaged. Well without a doubt that fish will eventually die. If you have to use the grippers make sure to place the lanyard loop around your wrist.
Tiger Muskies are a “sterile” fish…once it’s gone that’s one less. The TM is a very hearty fish and if properly handled and released "will" survive.
So there you have it... good luck and I hope the above helps you out someday if you happen to hook into one of these fish of 10,000 casts and especially a 'large' one.
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