Just wanted to throw this up for all to read...we get into situations like I had today and all I ask is to read this and do your best to help out this fragile fish....
While dragging a jighead with a worm on it for cats I had a musky take my jig.....I didn't know it was a muskie right off but knew it was a dandy of some kind...using my lightest reel with 30 lb Power pro...once the fish boiled at the surface I recognized that it was a muskie...
I follow a few thoughts on how to handle out of season muskies...and after reading many posts about it on other boards the consensus was the following..
1. get the fish to the boat as quick as you can
2. do not net the fish
3. if the bait is on the outside of its mouth...grab the pliers and
pop the bait out
4. do not remove the fish from water
5. in water pics are ok, no photos out of the water
6. bottom line is make it as quick as possible
7. if you want to get a length on it..do it in the water...
This fish was to the boat, unhooked and being revived in under 5 minutes it was gone...
I'm not an elitist muskie guy by any stretch but please take care when handling these fish...they deserve it...
I was actually shocked that I got this fish in...I had no leader...the jig was skin hooked in the top of his mouth...when I looked my line afterwards all I had left that wasn't shredded was probably the last thread of Power pro....
Who knew...a jig and a worm...
Enjoy the in water pics.....and release...on the tape in the water
33 incher...a baby...
RJ
