Release em Right

[nomoose]

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Before you do anything, make sure you are prepared in advance. The Catch, Photo, and Release process should be quick and successful. [/size][/font] [ol] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Have the[#000000] right[/#000000][#006600] [#000000][url "http://www.muskies101.com/properequipment.htm"][#006600]release tools and landing equipment[/#006600][/url][/#000000][/#006600][#000000] [/#000000]readily available.[/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Keep your boat free of clutter. If you're not using it, put it away. [/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Make sure your camera is in ready-to-shoot mode and easily accessible. Click here for [#000000][url "http://www.muskies101.com/pictures.htm"][#006600]tips on taking pictures[#000000].[/#000000][/#006600][/url][/#000000][/size][/font] [/li][/ol]

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 3]A. Catch [/size][/font] [ol] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]After you catch a musky, keep the fish in the net. Leave the net and fish in the water until the lure is removed safely. Make sure the fish's head is submerged. [/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Although not mandatory, a rubber treated net is easier on the fish and makes hook removal a cinch, especially if the fish thrashes in the net. [/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Do not handle the fish excessively. This will help ensure that you do not remove the protective "slime" coating. The "slime" is needed to protect the fish from disease. Do not place the fish on the bottom of the boat, along with protecting its "slime", this will prevent undue injury of a thrashing fish. Also, do not touch the fish's eyes or squeeze its belly.[/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Proper hook removal. Use a strong pair of long needle nosed pliers to remove easy to get at hooks. Use common sense and think of the safety of you and the fish. Cut deeply imbedded hooks with bolt cutters; make sure you do not leave any parts of the hook in the fish. Never tear a hook from a fish.[/size][/font] [/li][/ol]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]If you have a big enough livewell, fill it with fresh water and place the fish in there. If you do not have a big enough livewell, leave the musky in the net with the net still in the water. Always make sure the musky's head is submerged in the water. This will allow the fish to breathe easily while you are getting ready for your pictures.[/size][/font]

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 3] B. Photo[/size][/font] [ol] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hold the fish properly. Use your dominant hand to hold the musky along the gill plate (see diagram below), avoiding the actual gills. Do not spread the gills. Use your other hand to cradle the belly, without squeezing it, in order to support the weight of the fish.[/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Before you take the fish out of the water, make sure all cameras are ready. Then take a few quick photos. Do not overdo the amount of pictures that are taken. Keep in mind that the fish is not breathing while it is out of the water. Hold your breathe while you're taking pictures, it will give you a better idea as to how long your photo shoot should last. After a long battle, it is important to minimize out of water time. [/size][/font][/li][/ol]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Note: If you plan to have a replica made, be sure to document any unusual markings, this will help the taxidermist (along with good quality photos) in making a better match.[/size][/font]

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 3]C. Release [/size][/font] [ol] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Please release. When placing the fish back into its natural habitat, hold the belly with one hand and the tail in the other. [/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Carefully place the musky in the water, while still holding the tail; slowly, very slowly make side to side and back and forth motions with the fish. This musky has been through a lot and it may take a bit for him to get his senses back. [/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]When releasing, make sure you do this in shallow, calm water. Be on the safe side and stick around for a little while to make sure your release is successful.[/size][/font] [li][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Releasing muskies is one way to ensure that these fish grow to their true potential. It can take a fish 10-20 years, depending on genetics, to get to 50 inches. This serves to enhance the significant value of a released musky.[/size][/font] [/li][/ol]



[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]*** Take extra care when fishing during the warmer summer months. Try to give the fish the least amount of stress as possible.[/size][/font]

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hold on to your catch! Do not under estimate the strength of these fish (Don't worry, the one in the picture didn't get dropped). While Catch, Photo, and Release has become very popular, a concern among most die-hards is the proper handling of musky. If your intent is to release the fish in hopes to catch it again someday, then you must make sure that you're handling the fish correctly. Do not drop the fish or allow it to thrash on the sides of a livewell or boat. Once you have the fish in the proper gill hold (see below) quickly pull the musky up and hold it in the horizontal position for some "quick" pictures. There aren't any rules that state, "Whoever caught the fish must hold it in the picture". So, it is recommended that for the young or the novice, have someone that is either stronger or more experienced in handling these fish hold the catch for you. Simply stand next to the "holder" and grab the tail section of the musky.


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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Three Steps to a Good Gill Hold
Courtesy of Esox Angler [/size][/font]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]1) Hold hand over back
2) Start under plate, pull plate out - then slide forward with pressure.
3) Maintaining constant pressure, make sure that thumb is firmly in notch. Do not let thumb hang loose.[/size][/font]
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[Theekillerbee]

All great tips nomoose. Thanks for the reminders. These few things can assure that the musky you release, will live to fight again another day!
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