Fishing with Kingmann and catching tiny fish

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:04 pm

Great work guys, I do love those release shots.

Just a couple of pointers for next time if you plan to pursue these creatures on a regular basis:

1) Get a pair of long needle nosed pliers. That way you can remove the hooks without worrying about your fingers. Good work with the jaw spreaders.
2) Get a pair of hook cutters (hand held bolt cutters) from Canadian Tire. That way, if the fish is hooked really bad, you can snip the hooks to get your lure out of the way so you can work the shards of the hooks out without worrying about hooking yourself.
3) Try to hold the fish by the gill plate to prevent it from thrashing around. When you get a good hold on these fish, they often (not always though) will become pretty docile and allow you to more readily remove the hooks. I'm working on getting some photos of how to hold the fish by the gill plate, and will be posting them soon. Once you become comfortable with this hold, you will find that you can actually unhook the fish right in the water, rather than bringing the fish into the canoe and putting the fish and the angler at risk of injury.

Great work guys, and congrats on a nice muskie. Let's hope she fattens up a bit in the upcoming months.

HW

Post by **Kingmann** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:34 pm

Thanks for the tips Hawg Wobbler. I would be very interested in learning how to properly handle a musky by the gill plate. I did attempt holding it by the gill plate but felt I was too near its gills and held it firmly to the bottom of the canoe instead, as well with the pic, I didn't want to tear any gills holding it from the gill plate. I know it can be done, I've seen dozens of you guys doing it, I just wasn't sure and it didn't feel secure/comfortable when I tried.

Marcus, I hope your wrong about it being racoon food by now. I know there is truth to what you are saying I am just hoping you are wrong.

JasonM

Post by **Mr.J.** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:46 pm

Well we did go back several hours later and looked around, even looked from shore and we both felt the fish wasn't that bad off and the release did seem pretty succesful and we really didn't expect to see her belly up.

I think the blood isn't (wasn't) as bad as the pics showed, there was a lot of water in the canoe too which I believe is deceptive, I watched Jason work at getting that hook out and didn't really see a lot of blood but once it gets mixed with water and swished around by our feet it ends up looking like a lot more than there really was.

P.S. I'm pleased Kingmann remembered that I told him HawgWobbler would have been happy with the release.

Post by **Nassau Frank** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:29 am

For alot of species, turning them upside down calms them down. Does that work with Muskies?

Post by **BASSSTALKER** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:29 am

I find that both Muskie and Pike bleed alot from the mouth after a good hookset. It also seems that the blood clots real quickly, usually stops bleeding right before release. I have had some bad releases due to what ever and have caught that fish again. (same scars) I don't think we give the fish enough credit. Fish do die of other reasons too.

BASSSTALKER

Post by **Kingmann** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 11:35 am

NOW my goal is to go catch that SAME fish again, just to know that it's alright.

Mr. J, Get the Red Rocket ready!

JasonM

Post by **Markus** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:03 pm

I think some fish are definately easier to damage then others. In England, they have names for the carp. They are caught, admired and returned countless times. But fish like Steelhead can easily die from overhandling.

I think you guys and lots more have taken the time to read the helpful handling tips from the board and everyone is just a bit more educated and doing a better and better job handling fish with each one caught.

I can't wait to wrestle my first muski! Knowledge wise, I'm ready for the release and I hope putting that knowledge into practice is a smooth transition!