04-06-2014, 12:44 AM
Not to pick on ya Sir, but I think one needs to consider what goes on with the "natural" balance of predator prey, not just a Muskie reaction to your catch.
Think about it - when a fish is hooked and flailing - it sends out "signals" that fire up a predator. If you look at how 90% of hard-baits swim, it's to mimic an injured fish. Those flip-floppy-wiggly motions look like a fish that ain't doing so great. Easy pickings.
Ever try to net a minnow? They dart fast, quick. Trout don't tent to "bite" their prey so much as knock them first, then chow down. Bass inhale to draw them in. Many others will lie in wait, ambush, then burst out at passers and chomp.
If you've even noticed - a hooked fish will often be followed by several others, if not a whole school. Signals that trigger.
I don't buy into the notion that the Musky, Bass, Walleye predators do not contribute to prey control, whether it be crappie, perch, or other forage species. You're not likely to see a Musky scarf down a 13" crappie.
Think about it - when a fish is hooked and flailing - it sends out "signals" that fire up a predator. If you look at how 90% of hard-baits swim, it's to mimic an injured fish. Those flip-floppy-wiggly motions look like a fish that ain't doing so great. Easy pickings.
Ever try to net a minnow? They dart fast, quick. Trout don't tent to "bite" their prey so much as knock them first, then chow down. Bass inhale to draw them in. Many others will lie in wait, ambush, then burst out at passers and chomp.
If you've even noticed - a hooked fish will often be followed by several others, if not a whole school. Signals that trigger.
I don't buy into the notion that the Musky, Bass, Walleye predators do not contribute to prey control, whether it be crappie, perch, or other forage species. You're not likely to see a Musky scarf down a 13" crappie.