Musky handling

[CBlures]

Just a thought about handling Muskies.... 
     We know handling and holding practices of Musky can help save their lives.  What about the techniques most anglers use to catch them?  Large hooks with big barbs, using heavy pound test with no drag, and high speed trolling are among the top techniques of most Musky anglers.
     I recall an incident when I caught a Pike with two large holes threw the top of the snout.  The holes healed, but easily to see was from a large treble hook.  Many anglers will use strong heavy gagged cutters to cut the large hooks.  Reason behind this, you do not want to damage the mouth by ripping the hook out.
     Another incident I experienced was of the Musky in the picture above.  I caught the Musky throwing cranks with a slow retrieve.  You can clearly see the side of his mouth had been ripped off.  This could of happened when the angler ripped the hooks out or high speed trolling with heavy test and little to no drag.  We know this could have been prevented by cutting the hook.  This fish will have a difficult time eating for the rest of its life.
     High speed trolling could be a large contributor to the death of a Musky.  When the Musky hits it will soon looses the battle and will be dragged threw the water.  Most likely struggling to breath and exhausted going at a high speed. 
     Exhaustion plays a big factor if the fish will live or die.  A Musky can swim off fine, but later the effect of being exhausted will be the end.  Heavy pound test can hurt the Musky.  Bringing it in quick mite seem like a good idea, but using heavy line can exhaust the Musky to the point it will later die.
     Using heavy line, it is the angler verses the Musky.  Both are pulling and fighting with all that they have.  Using heavy or a lighter pound test line with drag will help prevent a Musky death.  When you use your drag the Musky can take off till it wants to slow down.  Instead of holding it in place wile it thrashes hard because you have no drag.  You do not want to push a Musky to use everything it has.  Pushing the Musky to that point can bring a high chance it will die.
     Musky are big, strong, and can take a punch.  We still need to respect them and help them live.  The Musky is getting more popular than ever.  Taking care of what we love is key.

Thank you for reading!

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[corny13]

Holding a Muskie like in your picture (vertical) instead of horizontal cradle can also kill them BTW..