Question about landing muskies

[bd]

Talk about counting one's chickens before they hatch.  This is a purely academic question since these fish don't actually exist, but...

If you are content bringing a fish boatside, unhooking it while still in the water, and turning it loose from there, is it possible to just boga the fish, get it under control, unhook it, and release?

Or is the big gigantic net truly a necessity even if you are okay skipping photos or whatever and don't really care about removing the fish from the water?

A giant net that's going to take up valuable space in a small boat, and which I'm maybe going to use once or twice a year, isn't high on my to-purchase list unless I'm worried that I'm going to injure a fish without one.

bd

[MikeA]

Considering your skill at navigating a crowded boat floor I'm going to suggest you stick with the bogas. Yes you can control them with just a boga but you better hang onto them. These fish have a tendency to get crazy at the boat sometimes.

[TWiles]

Oh I can just see it now.  Anything that  can go wrong with a muskie, will go wrong. Problem with these fish is they will play possum on you.  They will sit still, and get real calm and docile, then they will thrash and spin and bang around suddenly.  In a a small boat, you are better off on the bank or wading in water to handle them.

I don't recommend to Boga them without a net, but IF you do, keep the fish Submerged for the violent head shakes that WILL happen.  If you lift immediately, you'll probably break your rod and the fish's jaw.  Have some good Long nose pliers, jaw spreaders (real cheap at Dick's Sporting goods), and Knipex mini bolt cutters about $22 at Sears...about half the cost of other stores.

Here's some footage to foreshadow BD's upcoming muskie encounter.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvzJaYYegxNA%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&feature=player_embedded&v=vzJaYYegxNA&gl=US

[bd]

Here's some footage to foreshadow BD's upcoming muskie encounter.

The biggest problem with stepping in a bucket and almost falling out of your boat is people then assume you're an idiot.

Seriously, I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons here.  An oversized net really tends to get in the way, and I'd rather just get the fish under control boatside (yes, still in the water, no lifting big fish by the jaw - duh), unhook, and be on my way.  Netting a big thrashing fish in a small boat has plenty of potential for mishaps - and injury to the fish - as well.  And I get the impression that a half-assed net is likely worse than no net at all as far as hurting the fish goes.

The learning curve on these fish reminds me of the learning curve on flyfishing.  In getting advice from other people who are serious about it, it can be tough to distinguish the necessary from the good to have, if you know what I mean.

bd

[MikeA]

In all seriousness a good net is a must.

[gaspergou]

They settle down somewhat if you turn them on their back.

[TWiles]

With a Boga and the right tools, It can be done.  You just have to have everything out  and rehearsed where you can get to it.  A Lindy Glove is also a great item to have for working around the jaws and hooks.

With a fly:  You have to be ready for this scenario:




That's a dead fish without jaw spreaders and long pliers  to get the 3 hooks out past the first set of teeth.

Remember, the muskie will usually calm down on the line, and let you lead him to the bank or calmer water where you need to handle him.  But once you start grabbing for him, he will fight back.

Most people's immediate response once they Boga or Net a thrashing fish, is to lift up straight out of water.  Seems like common sense not to, until you're full of adrenaline.

Good luck on the chase.

Travis

[bd]

In all seriousness a good net is a must.

Good to know.  I'll look for one then.

It's too bad they don't make one of appropriate size with a rubberized mesh.  I hate hooks tangled in net twine, especially when fishing with conventional gear and big trebles.  Back when I threw redfins for big stripers more, I got enough of extracting trebles from big nets to last me a lifetime.  Being able to boga a big angry striper at boatside instead of netting it and bringing it into the boat was a godsend.

I've heard people say a big net is a "must"; I just didn't know if it was a genuine "must" or a "must" like in flyfishing, where some people will tell you a rod and reel that costs at least $300 is a "must."

bd

[TWiles]

Basspro Big Cat net is $50, the Frabill I just bought is $120.  Loki makes a damn fine musky net for about $85.

TW

[gettanet]

I use the largest Frabill Hiber-net which stores within the tube since I use a square stern canoe for the skinny water fishing.  Advantage is that it only takes up the space of a rod.  It has handled 40" fish easliy.  I hope to push it some with some larger fish.  I also have a cradle but that doesn't work when fishing alone.  Shucks, dealling with with a musky oufit and musky net with a fish on while by yourself in a canoe is a not easy.  The folks at H&R indicated that it wouldn't work well for the big musky but for fish in the mid 40s and below it should be fine.  The storage issue trumped other considerations for me, and if I hook a beast then out comes the cradle or I will yell real loud for some help.

Based on the way that musky thrash a very good set of pliers and cutters are a must.  I dread the day one of the those big hooks decides to take up residence in my hands, arms or legs.

I am curious as how those using kayaks handle releasing larger fish.

[Bfish]

I am curious as how those using kayaks handle releasing larger fish.

With cats and stripers, I sit side-saddle and use long pliers.  Nothing truly huge yet, and nothing nearly as thrashy as a muskie.

[Yoda]

Pull to shore and get out to land and dehook. 

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