Walshskie

Sump pumps should NEVER be on a GFCI receptacle, they will trip every time. And its in the electrical code.

Wow that's like getting a picture of bigfoot.

I just wanted to thank the guys that posted and shared their excperiance and knowledge, I know I learn a few things. And proving there can be a open exchange of ideas and opinions on a open forums even if those ideas are different.

The hand with the hook in it is mine. Just in case i brought my release to the hospital the doc had to use them. Tip if you do get hooked bring your hook cutters to the ER

The handle is long enought that i can put in 2 saltyies right across the stearn of the boat. And knipex are the best one handed they can cut any hook.

Good one with the weighing in the net or cradle. And the rotating handle on the boca.

It is also intented for guys with lots of experiance to share and so we can all learn. All ready I've learn somthing new about the Boga. That when its used in the net to help controll a musky I think in this way it could be very usefull tool.

A boga used in that way and not to lift fish, could be helpfull.

A good detailed post. I would add that it is generally ok to take the fish out of the water for a picture, put the fish back in the net and take the fish out again to measure it or reverse that order. If the fish does not appear to be in obvious distress once you have removed the hooks than it should be ok in the net for a few minutes. Just make sure that your net is large and deep enough so that the entire fish can stay submerged while you leave it in the net.

I find that it is handy to secure the net on the cleat at the side of the boat while you are removing hooks. That way you do not have to worry as much about securing the net. It makes it much easier.

Removing hooks is a one man job. It is ok to have someone watching you while you do this, maybe telling you what hooks to cut, but I only want one set of hands in the net. Most of the time the person who nets the fish takes the hooks out when I fish. I find that the person who catches a fish is excited, and hook extraction is best done by a calmer individual.

Great points I've had very experienced guys say they would like to take the hooks out only to reach into the net see all the hooks and teeth and say never mind you do it.

First before I post I think I should tell a few things about my self. One of the many reasons I love fishing is it can be done at many different levels of financial commitment, ranging from 25$ rod from and reel from Canadian Tire a lawn chair and a can or worms to bass pro with an 80,000$ boat and 1,000’s $ in gear. It’s all just fishing. I took aquaculture at Fleming for 2 years and I sent 2 summer guiding at Kessagimme, and have been a hard core musky guy for 15 year.

In this post I will use brand names theses are not the only companies that make these product these are just the ones I use.

With what a said first in this post musky fishing is different, this is not snobbery but if you respect the fish and want to do it right then having the right release tools is a must, and it does cost some money.( rods, reels and lures you send what you can afford but if you do it long enough you will end up sending lots of money) If your just getting into it and you not sure you want to make that commitment, have a buddy take you out to find out if you like it or hire a guide join a musky club.

The right tools bolt cutters and long needle nose pliers are a must, there are other tools as well like jaw spreaders, hook picks and grabits, I don’t have them but I have been told they work very well. Tools that come in handy split ring pliers and long nose cannel locks. I carry back ups because I drop things. Tethering tools to your wrist or the boat is a good idea.

A net or cradle, large enough to handle a musky, with a rubberized basket. Pick the one that works best for the size and type of boat or shore fishing that you do. I don’t use a boa grip and I’m not a big fan of them

Measuring- a bump board, floating ruler marking on your cradle, and a soft tape for girth.

And a camera

Before you even start fish for the day, talk with your fishing partner(s) about the plan on how to net and land the fish, if your net folds make sure they know how to open it practice. By doing this hopefully it eliminates the panic that can set in when a fish especially a big fish is hooked, it will also increase your odds of landing the fish. I believe that having a plan and having everyone on the same page is the key.

Ok you have the biggest fish you have ever seen in the net. This is why I like a large net and salties leave the fish in the net and in the water while you get organized have your tools ready and handy. Leave the fish in the net and in the water while you remove the hooks, if the hooks don’t fall out in the net I cut them it safer for you and the fish. Hook are cheep. Hooks are out measure the girth in the water if you want not all fish needs to be girthed.

Holding a musky slide your fingers inside its gill cover being carful no to grab the gills until they reach the notch in the lower jaw. Pinch your thumb tight against the outside of the lower jaw and against the pressure from your fingers. And hang on. Your other hand supports under the fish. Vertical hold are NOT good for the fish. Try to keep the fish as horizontally as you can. If you are not comfortable holding a big fish or a younger anglers lay the fish across your lap it's better than dropping it. If you are going to measure the fish have the bump board ready and wet, a quick measurement is all that is needed. ¼ and ½ inches are not that important big will show up in the picture.

Have the camera ready I like to use the sport setting and just fire of as many pic in as little time as I can. (I’m not an expert when it comes to pictures so if anyone has advice please post it.) Keep the fish out of the water as little as possible, if it is a PB or your fist musky and you want more pictures put it back it the net so it can breathe for a minute then take more pictures. Smaller fish I won’t take pictures of or measure. Cradles are nice for releases the fish can rest while being supported or hold on to the tail and keep the fish up right until its ready to go you’ll know when its ready. Now is the time for high fives but don’t take to long because the bite on and the windows are small.

I think the most important thing is to have a plan that works for your fishing situation that has the best interestes of the fish in mind. I know things happen and fish die but if you are taking all precautions and have the best interests of the fish in mind then that’s all anyone can do

I may have missed something or you have different ideas please post them so we can all learn.

Here are a few from the weekend all the fish were taken on the swing. River fishing is so different and more enjoyable when you can get away from the crowds. Also ran into a CO in a out of the way place, nice to see him out and about.

My son and I enjoyed 2 great days fishing the Nipigon River while staying at Nipigon River Adventures Lodge. Great lodge and an amazing piece of water. I'll let the Pictures do the talking. On the way back to Thunder Bay to catch our flight we stopped at the Terry Fox monument, it should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Your right read the regs from falls to peace bridge 3rd sat in june. If your going to be a smart a$$ at least be right.

Super glue it can help in all kinds of emergenceys including medical. I second duct tape if your portaging at all put it on your feet where you mite get blisters.

Older balests don't like the cold . Change all 3 to electronic balests problem solved

My buddys friends brother caught a 80 lbs musky.

My advice quit while you still can before it becomes an obsession, 1000's of dollars in lures 1000's in gear last thing I think of when I go to sleep and first thing I think of when I wake up. But if you stay with it work hard and do the right research it's all worth it.

For reels the 600 series Tekotas are great rods for big baits like plows Frankys the 8' St croix H the musky/cat rod has glass in can take a pounding smaller baits the TDR heavy for the price are great. Okuma does make a nice reel. Trolling rods you want a it to have some glass in it, take the pounding better but not so good for casting. And if your hard core your trolling rod should match the size of bait your using. Too heavey and smaller baits could be ripped out befor you get to the rod, to light and no back bone to drive the hooks in.

I kinda agree with that.

I have 50lb sufix 832 on my baitcaster with a 20lb Fluoro leader and just horse everything in(including perch lol). I like the fight with big fish but it's the same fight wether you horse it or let it drag. At least that's how I felt it was on my first musky. Caught it twice, first time I let it drag on and it unhooked. Second time was quick and actually felt like a better fight and it swam away like a champ.

50lb braid and 20lb fluro leader in not enought I use 100lb braid and if I'm using fluoro it's 150lb. If you want to target musky you need the right gear. I know it can be cost more but it the long run its works out my 100 lb power pro last for years and a decent musky rod can be 100$, fine a used reel and your good to go, a good net and bolt cutters. Or get to know a musky guy they are always interested in teaching a new guy. Just don't expect them to tell you any secerets right away.

The first time you stare into the net at 50"+ fish and it’s angry you'll know why you have bolt cutters. Most time unless the hook falls out or comes out on the first pull with needle nose I cut the hook. It’s the fast way the bait out of the net so the other hooks don’t damage the fish or you. But I don't leave any part of the hook in the fish. And if you are sharpening your hooks well they almost never fall out in the net. Good pair of split ring pliers and you are back in bussisness.

65 lbs go up to 80 or 100 65 will break with a back-lash, next what water do you want to fish? No sense buy baits that work great for St.Clair if you never going to fish there. A very good bait that can be cast or trolled is a spiner bait, please get a good net and tools for releasing the fish.

I went to SSF and took the aquaculture program, but now I'm electrician and can afford to fish. Great school, meet and I'm still friends with some great people, teacher are good, its a community unlike any other college I've been to and I've graduated from 3. Its the only collage I went that had around 2000 students and could put together 20 intramural hockey teams and each team had to have 2 girls. A community is a great way to describe it at least it was 15 years ago it was. Even though I never worked a day in aquaculture after a graduated I don't regret spending the time or the money. Look at it as a place to start building a career, because after you go there other opportunities and ideas will come forward you never even thought of. Education is never a bad idea.

This is a plan of P3TA's first they want to make C&R illegal buy saying it is animal cruelty, that it hurts the fish. Then once you have to kill what you catch, fishing is the same as hunting a kill sport ( I have nothing against hunting, understand the need for it and I see the enjoyment in I just don't do it.) because as fisherman we always had the choice to put back. Once fishing and hunting are lumped together they will try to making both a crime. Just like they did with the spring bear hunt. You may think I'm crazy but P3TA's members are getting elected onto the board of the Human Society and they are the ones who write the laws about what is considered animal cruelty. P3TA has bought the right to the character Nemo from disney they want the kids. If P3TA thinks fishing and hunting are wrong then they shouldn't do them, but don't tell me what I can and can't do. Find another activity that no matter what age, sex or physical disability you can enjoy, and it can cost you as little as a box of worms and a 10$ rod and reel from CT or what ever money you want. Take a kid fishing.

David Walsh

First thing I've never fished LOTW but I'd love to be you, your on some amazing musky water. Good rod for working open water like the St. Clair guys do, to get a wide spread, but if you get involved trolling weed edges with short line a shorter stiffer rod may be a good idea like the 8 ft st.croix, If you are new to musky fishing, don't forget about running a short line 5-20 ft behind the boat, I know I had little cofidence with running a line that close to the boat untill I saw the results.

The first question when it comes to musky fishing and gear is where do you fish, because the trolling rod and reel or casting I would suggest depends on where you fish, the best rod for st. clair would not be the best rod for Gbay. By the suggestions guys give you can tell where they fish. But St. Croix makes a good 8 ft glass/graphit rod that is a good all round trolling rod.