Catch, Photo, & Release
The musky fishery is a very delicate resource. To protect this resource we must all practice good conservation methods when fishing. Catch, photograph, and release is the most important conservation method you can use to protect the musky fishery.
The following was posted on The Ohio Game Fishing site. They are great instructions for the beginning musky fisherman and a good refresher for the seasoned veteran. Thanks Chris for letting us reprint your work of love. Practice CPR!
Catch and release is one of the most important tools in fisheries management of any species (especially in these tough economic times), its benefits are lauded around the world, are endorsed by most nations, and is practiced from pole to pole to preserve the resources we all enjoy, for this reason it is very important to implement the practices correctly with as few mistakes for the benefit of the fish and your safety.
I'm going to go over some tools that we use to get the fish back in the water with little or no time wasted.
Net – There are many muskie nets on the market. Frabill and Stowmaster make really good nets. A good quality muskie net is well worth the investment to you and the fish. These nets act as a large live well. The fish will have plenty of room and you can easily keep them in the water with the large, coated, deep bags. I do not promote the use of a cradle. They are too difficult to use if fishing alone, and not nearly as safe as a net.
Mini Bolt Cutters – Sometimes you just can’t get the hook out. Mini bolt cutters make short work of those large treble hooks. The hooks will dissolve in the fish and the hooks on the lure are easily replaced.
The Diagonal Cutters – Reaches into those places to cut hooks that the bolt cutters can’t get into. Make sure you get a large pair.
The Long Nosed Pliers (Needle Nosed Pliers) – I prefer a set that is long. Reaches the hooks, and keeps your fingers away from those teeth. There are two types of long nosed pliers’ needed, straight and curved models. Each has their place.
The Hook Pick – The longer the better for the same reasons as the long nosed pliers.
Gloves – Protect your hands and the fish. If you prefer to not use gloves always remember to wet your hands before handling any fish.
Vinyl Girth Tape – The type used to measure fabric for sewing. This is used to measure the girth of the fish.
Length measuring instrument – There are many varieties of these on the market. Floating ruler, sticker (to be placed on the outside of the boat), bump board, etc.
Camera – This is your personal choice. Digital cameras are cheap these days and most cell phones have a camera built in although they do not offer very good quality pictures.
These are what I call the “starter set” of muskie release tools. There are others available that you may want to experiment with as you progress through your muskie fishing career but these will get you started. Remember these are tools just the same as if you were a carpenter. Don’t skimp on the quality. Sure a cheap set will work for awhile but a good quality set of tools will last your lifetime. You may wish to attach lanyards or rope to your tools and tie them to the boat as they may get kicked or dropped during the course of the day and you don’t want them sinking to the bottom.
Now that you have your set of quality release tools it is time to hit the water and do some fishing!
You cast your buck tail up next to a fallen tree; turn the handle on your reel and BAM! The fight is on. You fight the fish, get her up to the boat, and she is in the net! Congratulations you have caught a muskie. Now what do you do?
A million thoughts will be running through your head. Where are my pliers? What if I need to cut a hook? How big is she?
Rule #1 ALWAYS HAVE YOUR RELEASE TOOLS OUT AND AT THE READY BEFORE YOU MAKE THE FIRST CAST. This is not the time to go digging through your storage compartment to get the tools out, or open the net after you have a fish hooked especially if fishing by yourself.
Ok, she is in the net. Take a deep breath and relax.
If fishing with another person have them get the camera ready as you begin removing the hooks.
The hooks are free and the camera is ready. Get a firm but gentle grip on the fish. Begin by placing your fingers inside the gill plate (being careful not to touch the actual gill), slide your fingers up until you feel the jaw. Place your thumb on the outside of the lower jaw and squeeze just tight enough to get a grip. Slowly lift the fish and place your other hand under the belly of the fish to support its’ total weight. Never hold a fish vertical. Always hold them horizontal. This will cause less damage to the fish and get you into better position for release. Now snap a couple pictures and she is ready to go back.
Putting her back into the water – Gently lower her into the water making sure she is still horizontal. Take the hand that was under her belly and grab her around the tail. Once again firm but gentle. Now slowly release your grip from her jaw and slide your fingers free from her gill plate, remember to not touch any of the actual gills. As you are doing this your partner should be getting the measure stick, and girth tape ready if you want measurements.
Now just hold her by the tail until you feel her get ready to go. Do not drag her back and forth through the water as this can cause damage to the gills. When you feel she is ready, give her a gentle push forward and watch her swim away!
In most instances from the time the fish is in the net until she swims away again is less than two minutes if everything goes well. The key to the entire thing is time out of water. Minimize the time out of water, and you minimize the damage to the fish.
With a little practice and a few fish under your belt all of this will become second nature. The moment someone in the boat yells “fish!” you go into action.
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Release them all. Get a replica for the wall.
Chris C.
Southwest Ohio Muskie Association - Research Director & Regional Vice President
Here's a short release video by Will Schultz. Thanks again Chris!