Tiger Muskies, with their mouths full of razor-shaped teeth,
are formidable species that demand respect. Their potential danger should never
be overlooked. Anglers can sometimes forget the need for correct handling
tools. However, having these tools and, more importantly, knowing how to use
them is crucial for the safety of the fish and yourself. The same holds when
you have removed the hooks and are ready to pick up your catch for a picture.
This knowledge and preparation are paramount to a successful day pursuing Tiger
Muskie.
Throughout this piece, I'll refer to a Tiger Muskie. The
information in this article equally applies to all three Esox species: Muskie,
Pike, and Tiger Muskie. These species share many characteristics, so, without
listing all three species' names each time, understand that when I mention a
Tiger, the reference is synonymous with a Tiger's cousins, a true Muskie and a
Northern Pike.
No Place for Bargain Tools, Quality Makes the Job Easier and
Safer
Getting ready for a Tiger Muskie outing requires quality
equipment. Cheap, weak tools can fail and create safety hazards. I cannot
emphasize enough the importance of investing in high-quality gear for this
activity.
My Tool List
Jaw Spreaders
Quality Jaw Spreaders are one of the most essential tools
needed. Make sure to pay attention to the value of your spreaders. When hooks
are lodged well into the mouth of a Tiger Muskie, spreaders, when released,
will keep a Tiger Muskie's mouth held open, allowing you to work on the hook.
Spreaders make it easier for an angler to work on removing hooks.
Spreaders must be vigorous. Otherwise, they'll slip or
collapse, prolonging the task and possibly causing injury. I pack two sizes for
large and small fish. If there is any doubt concerning the strength of your jaw
spreaders, don't hesitate to replace them.
It doesn't matter if you have the best jaw spreaders
employed, never think it's okay to place your hand or fingers into a Tiger
Muskie's mouth. Tigers have a way of shaking their head when you least expect
it. When this happens, the spreaders can dislodge, or your tools can hit them,
knocking the spreader out of place. That is why you want to have long-handled
long, long needle-nose pliers on hand.
Long Handled Long Nose Pliers
Long-handled, long needle-nose pliers allow you to reach
further into a Tiger’s mouth, and down the throat while keeping your hand clear
from danger.
Mini Bolt Cutters
Just like with any type of fishing, there are times when,
for the health of the fish, it is better to cut the hook rather than attempt to
remove it completely. Larger hooks have thicker wire, making them harder to
remove with standard dikes. Instead, small bolt cutters are more effective for
this task.
Long Shank De-Hooker
If the lure's hooks aren't lodged too deeply, this handy
device can make removing hooks quick work. The long shank allows you to get
back into the mouth of a large Tiger Muskie. I prefer a De-Hooker with an
S-shaped tip. The S-tip has two opposing U bends—one U points at you, the other
points away from you. Depending on the position of the embedded hook, the two
bends allow you to either push the hook free or pull it to dislodge it. Push or
pull in a downward direction to free the hook's barb.
Spilt Ring Pliers
A pair of split ring pliers can come in handy when a lure
treble hook is wrapped tight in the landing net. Typically, a Tiger Musky will
roll in the net, often wrapping up the free hooks of a treble. Sometimes, the
pressure from a tightly spun Tiger in the net webbing makes it easier to remove
the treble hook from the lure's split ring than it is to untangle the net from
around the hook. I love my Rapala Split Ring Pliers; they are the best spilt
ring pliers I've used.
A Fish Grip
In situations with smaller Muskie and Pike, you can forgo a
net and manage the catch with a Fish Grip when you don't desire a photograph.
The grip allows you to take control, clamping onto the Muskie's lower jaw just
past the lip and teeth. You can manage the fish without the need for a net,
keeping the fish in the water the entire time. Once you've used the proper tool
needed for removing the hooks, unclamp the Fish Grip, and your catch is free to
swim away.
A Proper Musky Net
The nuisances of netting a Tiger Muskie deserve an entire
article to itself. Nonetheless, here are a few noteworthy tips. Several net
manufacturers make nets large enough for the size of your quarry. True Muskies
can grow extremely large; select an appropriate size for your pursuit.
Select a net that you're comfortable with and one that is
hook-friendly. An annoying net in your thoughts doesn't help when it's time to
land a Tiger Muskie.
The net should be stowed properly, and anglers should
discuss net storage and handling before the first cast. If the net features a
telescopic handle, practice deploying the handle before game time to ensure
familiarity.
During boat travel, things bounce around, including the
net's basket. After each stop, before a cast is made, all anglers should check
the net, ensuring it is clear from boat cleats, lures, rod tips, and rod
guides—anything that can catch the net and prevent a smooth operation. These
nets are large, and the space on a boat can be relatively small, so mishaps can
easily take place.
When a Tiger is caught and coming to the boat, the situation
can be chaotic; it's not the time to discuss netting. Having a pregame netting
plan in place will assist in a smooth, fumbling-free process that leads to
success.
When it's time to net the Tiger, the angler should control
the fish's head, so it comes straight to the net alongside the boat. The netter
needs to manage the large net's basket by bunching it together with their free
hand. As the fish approaches, the netter wants to place half the net in the
water at an angle to the surface as they drop the basket, come under the Tiger,
and back up past the tail.
If you place the net entirely into the water straight up and
down, the water resistance will make your reactions to the fish sluggish, and
the Tiger has a better chance of avoiding the net. Netting a Tiger is how you
would properly net any fish on a larger scale due to the fish and net size.
Trying to net a Tiger near the outboard or trolling motor is
a wrong choice. Tigers are notorious for rolling and thrashing once they're in
the net. So, avoiding engine props and anything else the net can catch, or
encounter is best.
As soon as the fish is in the net, the angler needs to
release the bail on the reel, let out the line, remove tension from the line,
and back the rod away from the net. Unnecessary pressure on a heated, upset,
netted Tiger will do nothing good.
Always remove the hooks from the fish before you attempt to
remove the fish from the net. Keep the net and the fish in the water boatside.
It is much easier and safer to free the lure's hooks from a Tiger Muskie while
it's still in the net. Keeping the Tiger in the net in the water decreases the
time your catch is out of the water and minimizes the stress placed on the
fish.
Lifting a Tiger Muskie from the net with hooks attached will
cause trouble. When the Tiger Muskie thrashers, and they will, the free hooks
will tangle the net and most likely catch on anything close by, including you.
With the net and the Tiger remaining in the water, the netter needs to control
the net while the angler manages hook removal.
If it's your first time, I recommend fishing with someone
with experience handling Muskies and Northern Pike. An experienced fisherman
can show you how to successfully manage these fish and protect yourself. It is
highly inappropriate to be ill-equipped, both with gear and knowledge, when
handling these incredible fish.
Improper handling can result in serious injury. A deep cut
to your fingers or hand can turn a nice day of fishing into a trip to the
emergency room. You owe it to yourself, your fishing partner, and the fish to
have the essential tools, know how to use them, and properly handle these
toothy predators.
First Aid Kit and Finger Tape
Always keep a proper first aid kit on board. And for added
versatility, I recommend having Finger Tape. Common to saltwater angling,
finger tape is a useful solution if you receive a minor cut to your fingers. This
self-sticking tape effectively applies pressure to stop bleeding, protects the
wound, stays in place even when it’s wet, and keeps you in the game.
The Hooks are Out, Time to Handle Your Catch
With one hand, place your thumb and palm on the outside of a
Tiger Muskie's gill plate. Avoid touching the actual gills; you can harm
the fish, and they're sharp and can injure you. On the bottom of the fish's
jaw, there is bone/cartilage that runs the center axis. On each side of this
bone is a groove. Place your fingers from the same hand under the jaw into the
groove nearest you. Gently but firmly squeeze your fingers, thumb, and palm
together. You can safely control the Tiger's head with a proper firm grip in
the correct position. Gasp in front of the fish's tail where it meets its body
with your other hand. Larger fish require your non-head hand to slide further up the body to support the fish's weight. Now, you're ready to lift your catch, (see pic below).
Always hold a Tiger Muskie with both hands in a horizontal
position supporting its weight, preventing pressure on its spine and internal
organs and undue stress. Tiger Muskies have a protective body slime, so avoid
unnecessary contact with the fish's body to preserve this body coating. Please
return them to water as quickly as possible, giving them the best chance of
survival.
I seldom see these aspects of Tiger Muskie fishing
discussed. Yet, they're just as important as the tackle and lures one needs for
this type of angling, if not more so, to ensure your Tiger Muskie adventure is
a success.
Tight Lines and Good Times!
Title photo
by Fishing-headquaters.com, net photo by Drifter Nets.
