Actually what you stated was...Badger Shark wrote:Whenever you catch a fish there is always a chance it could die. I am not disputing the fact that having the right equiptment will improve its chances, all I was stating is the only way to avoid it all together would be to not fish........MATTmuskymatt wrote:Big difference between leaving a scar on the jaw and post release mortality Don...Badger Shark wrote: The best way to avoid hurting a fish is to not fish for it at all. And well we love to fish so thats not going to happen.
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Your words Don....I was referring to killing a fish due to mis-handleing, you referred to hurting a fish by catching it....big difference in my books.The best way to avoid hurting a fish is to not fish for it at all
And my concerns were as much for the angler as for the fish. Cradles are dangerous with big muskies....period.
And if anyone is comparing another species actions to a 50" + muskie with 3# 5 trebles in it's mouth and a lot of fight left in it....you might want to get another opinion from some one who has handled alot of big fish.
The chances of a fishes survival according to the release study in Project Nobel beast is 100% so far if not mishandled ie. dropped in the bottom of the boat, vertical hold, removing slime, playing to exhaustion, over excessive time out of water.
I know of a guy who had a hook embeded into his forearm and the fish went nuts....even after many surgeries he still hasn't the normal use of his arm. Now imagine a fish stuck to your face and thrashing around because he flipped right at the time you were going to cradle it.....I have articles about it happening....not pretty.
Bottom line is things can happen in a split second and thinking you are prepared is a whole lot different than knowing you are prepared.
I'm not preaching...just trying to give a little constructive advice Don.
