07-23-2004, 05:02 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I claim no skill or expertise at this musky game! The only reason I even had a clue was all the great people here and posts of good info. This was actually my 3rd time out for muskies but the first trip I and Biteme have hooked up. He's fished for them a time or two also.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]The cigars were there, Tomegun. I think I swallowed it when I saw that fish come to the surface! Those fish are impressive even if the one I caught wasn't much of a fighter. Biteme's fish had a whole lot more spunk.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Here are a few lessons learned that may help others. This info has been posted before but I believe needs to be re-emphasized.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Be prepared for BIG, toothy fish. They are not much different than handling big macks but if you never have had to handle large fish you will find they are a little more than you expect. 40 plus inch and, 20 plus pound "alligator" of wiggling slim with large teeth can be a little intimidating for some. Lip grips are a handy device for keeping all you fingers intact. You can grab the gill plates but be careful you don't snag a gill in the tussel.[/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Large nets are good but a sling net like Old Coot's is probably better. Large hooks and nylon twine nets have a tendency to become a massive mess with a large fish thrashing around in it. It can be very difficult to get things undone in a timely manner. Coot! Post some pics of your sling again![/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These fish are big and strong but they don't seem to be very hardy and can not take a lot of handling. As, MGB and others have stated, you need to QUICKLY and as GENTLY as possible get your business done with the fish. The water temp is almost 80 degrees at Pineview and I would think that at those warm temps, stressing a fish is more likely.[/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These musky, even if handled and released quickly, took us a long time to revive so they could swim under their own power. We spent a considerable amount of time reviving them before we felt they were ready to swim off. Don't give up to early when trying to revive them.[/size][/black][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These are just my observations after catch one musky and have two others caught on my boat. I'm sure all our more accomplished Musky Aficionados have even more helpful tips to make your musky trip more enjoyable for you and less stressful on such a cool resource like our Tiger Musky in Pineview.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]The cigars were there, Tomegun. I think I swallowed it when I saw that fish come to the surface! Those fish are impressive even if the one I caught wasn't much of a fighter. Biteme's fish had a whole lot more spunk.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Here are a few lessons learned that may help others. This info has been posted before but I believe needs to be re-emphasized.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Be prepared for BIG, toothy fish. They are not much different than handling big macks but if you never have had to handle large fish you will find they are a little more than you expect. 40 plus inch and, 20 plus pound "alligator" of wiggling slim with large teeth can be a little intimidating for some. Lip grips are a handy device for keeping all you fingers intact. You can grab the gill plates but be careful you don't snag a gill in the tussel.[/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Large nets are good but a sling net like Old Coot's is probably better. Large hooks and nylon twine nets have a tendency to become a massive mess with a large fish thrashing around in it. It can be very difficult to get things undone in a timely manner. Coot! Post some pics of your sling again![/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These fish are big and strong but they don't seem to be very hardy and can not take a lot of handling. As, MGB and others have stated, you need to QUICKLY and as GENTLY as possible get your business done with the fish. The water temp is almost 80 degrees at Pineview and I would think that at those warm temps, stressing a fish is more likely.[/size][/black][/font][/li] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These musky, even if handled and released quickly, took us a long time to revive so they could swim under their own power. We spent a considerable amount of time reviving them before we felt they were ready to swim off. Don't give up to early when trying to revive them.[/size][/black][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These are just my observations after catch one musky and have two others caught on my boat. I'm sure all our more accomplished Musky Aficionados have even more helpful tips to make your musky trip more enjoyable for you and less stressful on such a cool resource like our Tiger Musky in Pineview.[/size][/black][/font]
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