Tools for a safe release

[Musky Dreamin]

The successful release begins not when you have landed the fish and taken a few snapshots, but before you even wet a line. Being prepared should be every musky hunters motto!

What you will need, a file, oversized needle nosed pliers, the proper net, bolt cutters and the correct measuring device.

First off, get rid of that barb. I know this may raise some controversy, but it makes removing hooks much easier. So what if you lose a few on head shakes, are you really going to stop chasing your dream fish because you lost one? I carry a file for not only hook sharpening but will file down the barbs as well. If you do not have a file pinching the barb with needle nose pliers helps some too.

Nets, be they a cradle or your standard hoop and handle, must be of the correct size and as fish friendly as possible. I personally prefer a big game net. It allows me to access the fish easily and really get my hands in there when needed.

Bolt cutters? Well, I don’t know if bolt cutters is really the correct term here, more like hook cutters. I have seen fish hooked in the mouth and side even with the barbs removed it can really endanger them when you have to apply leverage. If it looks like too much of a job, or you are the least bit unsure, grab the bolt cutters and snip some of those hooks off. A lot easier and cheaper to replace a couple of treble hooks than that 48” breeder.

Okay, so now we have the fish in the net and the hooks out, time to measure her. For those of us who don’t need gnats butt measurements I would use a 60” cylinder shaped floating measuring sticks. This will reduce time out of the water when every second counts. If you need that ¼ inch then I suggest you get one of the folding bump board versions. This keeps the fish off of your carpet and out of whatever might have been on the bottom of your shoe.

If you are needing that picture, and I certainly do, then please use a proper hold. Limit pictures to a few and get her back in the water. She will need some time to start and by gentling moving her so water flows over her gills should get her started.

Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it. I could be wrong.