I did a lot of thinking this past winter after watching one of your video conversation with another guide. The bump board is gone from my boat. I just boated a 50” class fish. We unhooked her in the net, measured her in the water, then took a quick photo. We estimated her to be around 50”. That is good enough. We didn’t even take photos of fish under 36”. I feel better about it. WHY are we so obsessed about 50”? A 49.5” fish is just as beautiful.
Beautiful truth there.... if your chances of catching a large muskie in the future will be much better (and they will); it's the only way to go. For those unsure of this, simply try both methods and compare results. anyone truthful who has tried this can see the fish that stay in the water (or not measured at all - release much better
EXCELLENT video Pete! Me being a newer Musky angle myself - I feel solid know I’ve soaked up all of the knowledge from the beginning. Thank you for the tips and explanations!
I was going to say the same thing. When you watch a lot of musky fishing content online via TH-cam and other social media, there's usually lacking discussion of taking care of the fish. Many content creators just want to show off their exploits and not really educate anglers, discuss conservation, etc. Even good content creators make that mistake. They're not really caretakers of the sport.
Grew up fishing with my dad and uncle being HUGE fans of yours…I can remember being “dragged” to a seminar when I was young, and a couple random Halloweens where my dad and/or uncle would throw together their best PETE costume 😂 Now that I am older (30) and have gotten the itch back after MANY years away, I knew just where to turn!
So true. If you don't have a pair of Knipex bolt cutters and a GIANT net (Frabill folding ) or similar don't even leave the house...hooks are cheap, Muskies are such a precious resource. Ohhh...and if you are choosing a boat choose one with a giant LiveWell...I've only used mine once for a muskie but it saved the day.
Pete you’re a true classic and this knowledge is more important now than ever! I’m sick of all these new guys over handling fish for social media!! Really grinds my gears!!! They need to take a page out of your book! Ok rant complete but I’ve been a fan since muskies suck and a subscriber of Esox angler btw I really wish I had my old t-shirt with the Muskie guy chucking a lure at the jet ski 😂
😂 That truly was a classic shirt. Thx for the kind words ... and agree - sadly the trend is somewhat towards pictures, exact lengths and likes ... at the end of the day what is everyone trying to find - to spend their time?: the healthiest fisheries
For hook cutters, there are no better ones than Knipex. They are German made and expensive, but they will cut even the heaviest gauge hooks like a hot knife through butter! There's a reason they are the best cutters in the world. Because they cut so easily, it lowers the stress that much more because they cut easily and quickly, lowering the handling time.
Unfortunately all the musky that I have caught was when I was bass fishing without a net except once when I had a guide. We got the fish out of the net, snapped a picture, and it went right back in the water in thirty seconds to a minute later. The last musky I had actually swallowed a bass that was on and it got hooked barely from the lure that the bass was hooked on.
I had a nice one from the wisconsin river the other day around 40". I had it in the net next to the boat went to get my camera for a quick picture. I heard a few splashes looked and it blew a hole in the bottom of the net and escaped 🤣 I need a bigger net like that.
@@frozenfishermen2363 Yeah has happened to me a few times without the muskie net; this time of year I keep both in boat - as do a lot of bass n stuff too when temps get hot
I guess you're right ... just keep in mind they are the lowest density fish in the system. If everyone keeps their one - the population depletes quickly
I'm not sure if you're trolling or not, but even if you do only catch one a year, why purposley mishandle it "doing whatever you want" and potentially kill it? Not just muskies but any fish. Maybe consider respecting the fragility of the resource
![[TH] VCT Pacific Stage 2 - Playoffs Day 3 // DRX vs GEN | PRX vs TLN](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CWM1Q-2-o3M/mqdefault.jpg)
I did a lot of thinking this past winter after watching one of your video conversation with another guide. The bump board is gone from my boat. I just boated a 50” class fish. We unhooked her in the net, measured her in the water, then took a quick photo. We estimated her to be around 50”. That is good enough. We didn’t even take photos of fish under 36”. I feel better about it. WHY are we so obsessed about 50”? A 49.5” fish is just as beautiful.
Beautiful truth there.... if your chances of catching a large muskie in the future will be much better (and they will); it's the only way to go. For those unsure of this, simply try both methods and compare results. anyone truthful who has tried this can see the fish that stay in the water (or not measured at all - release much better
So good, Pete. When I was young, this was me. I'd get one in the net, and it was like "now what?!"
Good thoughts bro. Thanks for watching
Well done...as usual Pete !! Thanks
Thx John
EXCELLENT video Pete! Me being a newer Musky angle myself - I feel solid know I’ve soaked up all of the knowledge from the beginning. Thank you for the tips and explanations!
Appreciate the kind words - and awesome you take the conservation side seriously :) ... truly appreciated by all
Most important topic in Musky fishing. Thanks for sharing Pete.
I was going to say the same thing. When you watch a lot of musky fishing content online via TH-cam and other social media, there's usually lacking discussion of taking care of the fish. Many content creators just want to show off their exploits and not really educate anglers, discuss conservation, etc. Even good content creators make that mistake. They're not really caretakers of the sport.
@Fingolfin3423 yes I agree, with that. The future of musky fishing is in the hands of each and every angler, who catches, and handles a fish.
@@jameschurch1277 Very true
Grew up fishing with my dad and uncle being HUGE fans of yours…I can remember being “dragged” to a seminar when I was young, and a couple random Halloweens where my dad and/or uncle would throw together their best PETE costume 😂
Now that I am older (30) and have gotten the itch back after MANY years away, I knew just where to turn!
That's awesome bro. Lol, sorry you were "dragged" ...😂😂
@@petemaina7073 I was maybe 10 at the time 😂. The musky bug hadn’t bit me yet. Its only now that I understand lol
@@austinb0421 Yeah, it can seem ridiculous (often still) ... once it strikes - very hard to shake
Good tips. Didn’t even think of welding gloves. I have a set getting thin for welding. Going in the boat now!
I use it seldom, but is actually much better than a jaw spreader for deeper hooked fish; less fumbling around; quicker is better
Amazing video as usual Pete! 💯💯
Thanks much for watching!
So true. If you don't have a pair of Knipex bolt cutters and a GIANT net (Frabill folding ) or similar don't even leave the house...hooks are cheap, Muskies are such a precious resource. Ohhh...and if you are choosing a boat choose one with a giant LiveWell...I've only used mine once for a muskie but it saved the day.
All good points. Thanks for watching and commenting
Great advice Pete.
Thanks bro
Pete you’re a true classic and this knowledge is more important now than ever! I’m sick of all these new guys over handling fish for social media!! Really grinds my gears!!! They need to take a page out of your book! Ok rant complete but I’ve been a fan since muskies suck and a subscriber of Esox angler btw I really wish I had my old t-shirt with the Muskie guy chucking a lure at the jet ski 😂
😂 That truly was a classic shirt. Thx for the kind words ... and agree - sadly the trend is somewhat towards pictures, exact lengths and likes ... at the end of the day what is everyone trying to find - to spend their time?: the healthiest fisheries
Thanks Pete, always great information
Thanks - and thanks for watching!
Another excellent video, thank you.
Thanks and thx for watching
For hook cutters, there are no better ones than Knipex. They are German made and expensive, but they will cut even the heaviest gauge hooks like a hot knife through butter! There's a reason they are the best cutters in the world. Because they cut so easily, it lowers the stress that much more because they cut easily and quickly, lowering the handling time.
Great stuff bro. Definitely a must to have great cutters
Unfortunately all the musky that I have caught was when I was bass fishing without a net except once when I had a guide. We got the fish out of the net, snapped a picture, and it went right back in the water in thirty seconds to a minute later.
The last musky I had actually swallowed a bass that was on and it got hooked barely from the lure that the bass was hooked on.
Cool that it went back well... that's a crazy way to get one
I had a nice one from the wisconsin river the other day around 40". I had it in the net next to the boat went to get my camera for a quick picture. I heard a few splashes looked and it blew a hole in the bottom of the net and escaped 🤣 I need a bigger net like that.
A good net is important for a lot of reasons lol. At least you can feel very good about that release cuz certainly survived it
@petemaina7073 I was smallmouth fishing so I wasn't really prepared for it but I will be next time. Haha
@@frozenfishermen2363 Yeah has happened to me a few times without the muskie net; this time of year I keep both in boat - as do a lot of bass n stuff too when temps get hot
HOT TIPS" GO PETE!!! CHEERS" from "TIGER'S ONLY" IDAHO! jd
Thank you bro. Gotta get out there
i caught one now what? do what ever i like with it. its my fish and i usually only am able to catch one a year.
I guess you're right ... just keep in mind they are the lowest density fish in the system. If everyone keeps their one - the population depletes quickly
I'm not sure if you're trolling or not, but even if you do only catch one a year, why purposley mishandle it "doing whatever you want" and potentially kill it? Not just muskies but any fish. Maybe consider respecting the fragility of the resource
@@cabbagecaster2794 Never hurts to think ahead
@@cabbagecaster2794 shut up. if im spending thousands of dollars to catch a fish you think i care if it dies? fragility? 90% of them are stocked.
90%? Thats inaccurate. I suppose you can't fix stupid. Have a nice season, i hope you get your one lol@Dbars19