When you’re out fishing for muskies, you need to be prepared to take care of the fish properly. These fish take a long time to get big. In fact, it may take over 25 years for these fish to reach the “trophy” potential of 48″ or larger. That’s why it’s essential to handle these fish properly. In this video, Rob Manthei breaks down the tools you need for a smooth release.
Here are the basics:
- Set of jaw spreaders with a lot of tension to handle a big musky’s mouth
- A sharp, strong hook cutter
- At least 2 sets of pliers such as a needle-nose and a pistol-grip – This can be especially important if you have an extra hook outside the fish’s mouth that you need to hold onto.
- Always have a good file with to keep your hooks sharp since muskies have very bony mouths.
- Release gloves can also help you have a better grip when handling these large fish
- Finally, you need a large net with a strong bag and a heavy, protective coating that won’t remove slime from the fish.
