justtracytrolling

Excellent post, but its one thing to read it and another entirely to do it. I would add that anyone who will hopefully be attempting this for the first time should practice all of the above with other species of fish that are easier to catch and handle so that when you get your chance you don't have to try it for the first time with a large musky or tiger. This is even more important if you are fishing from a pontoon ( and more people are fishing from pontoons now than ever) as your feet are well above the water level and it is along way down and the back platform is often very small and the ladder is in the way and there is nothing to keep you from falling in as you lean way over as you cant just lean over the gunwale. I would also add if you are trolling with other lines out get them ALL in so you can stop. this will allow you to work the fish around to the larger side gate where you could lay down and just lean your head and arms over. Cant stress it enough to try the above procedure ahead of time. Ive handled quite a few and I wasn't ready at all. Also when water temps are up over 80 you have to work faster and it takes longer to revive them. The thing I don't have and would have helped the most is the plastic coated net, but it still takes practice. Ive always left the other lines out and moving and this is VERY challenging in a pontoon. Also explain and show the others on the boat BEFORE you fish. Wish I had video footage of what I did then you would know what you will be up against if you aren't ready...chaos! I would also recommend immediately cutting the leader as soon as the fish is in the net as the line and rod both get in the way. I didn't cut the hooks as I thought I didnt need to right up until the fish thrashed in the net and rehooked its self and I had to start over. They are also very heavy to lift if you cant lean on something and you are forced to lean out and lift. Im 6' 3" 210lbs and fit and I struggled mightily. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE you are the fish's only chance at survival and it is your job be more prepared than I was I was successful but it was lucky we couldn't measure the fish as Im certain if I had one more task to do the fish wouldn't have survived. Ive never measured one since the very try last summer was a failure. I decided to skip the measuring entirely on every one we've caught since, and I didn't really care as they were all smaller than the first, a 42". When you get a big one tho you will want the measurements. 1 last thought, all of these tools, mat, cutters etc need to be handy as you wont have time for searching and tidying up the boat to clear an area for the mat and fish. Its hard to always be ready when you are fishing, but you have to be. justin

When I said earlier that I don't know how you musky hunters do it I was referring to what captain eyes touched on, the speed at which you must do all of work to be able to revive the fish. The tigers that ive caught in spring and fall were easy but I lost my biggest summer tiger last year and find it harder to safely release them in summer than it is to catch them. I certainly agree tigers are a put and take fish, but Id like to see just how big a tiger can get in Otisco so I put em back if I can revive em. Im adding on a hose to my livewell this week, a mat, and ordering the biggest musky net I can find asap as mine is big enough but tangles hooks and isn't friendly enough on the fishes slime. I reread a post from last year by Mostly Muskies and should have done this sooner. I like the ice jug technique he uses too if I actually was targeting them more, but I camp and ice jugs are not easy to keep all weekend and have room for food and drink. I could probably bring another cooler on the boat just for musky ice. Im all ears for other tricks. justin

What kind of releases are you using? I just have the pinch pad style and they pretty much suck on hard pulling cranks, but I do it the same way as you...now I gotta get one that way just to see! I have no down speed and the current up there killed me last year. Tried running em just over the boat to gauge the speed but its WAY different down 25 feet and im just inexperienced with that. Justin Sent from my SPH-L710 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Thanks everyone! Your posts make me even more excited to go out and catch another lunker!!! If I thought there were alligators in that lake I would have sworn I was reeling one in! Bummed we were not able to get measurements but size doesn't matter...right guys??? lol Also bummed that I didn't get a pic of myself with that Tiger but there was no way I was going to be able to hold up an "alligator" for a photo shoot! lol All kidding aside it was definitely a great experience and I NEVER could have done it without Justin! I was thrilled we were able to have a successful release of such a beautiful fish. Now I can try to get him again next weekend! lol Up until 3yrs ago I had never put my hands on a fishing pole, gun or bow (that's right guys...I hunt too)...mind you, not because I didn't want to I just didn't have anyone to show me the ropes. Well, Justin has showed me the ropes and them some! His passion & knowledge of fishing & hunting amazes me & I am truly happy that he loves sharing that with me. It's obvious he knows what he is doing...proof is in the puddin'! Thank You Justin! Ok, enough tooting Justin's horn. lol Thank you again...you are all an inspiration! P.S. Thank you panfisher and CONGRATS to you on your spotted bass! ~Tracy~

Absolutely!! We have been joking about it, as I always told her over 42 was goin on the wall but the last one that was close I didnt work fast enough and couldnt revive it and we ate it. So I when I had it in my hands I just wanted to see if I could do it. Asked her tonight if she had any regrets, and the answer was NO. Also wasnt prepared to deal with a trophy that size...no big cooler and we were driving a gto...coulda tied it the roof lol...wonder how many women have caught such a fish? I was trying/hoping for a tiger for the slam, but never dreamed it be that big. Justin Sent from my SPH-L710 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

heres a better pic...8lbs 6ozs Sent from my SPH-L710 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Good work Kevin...looks like you are on em for sure. After reading your posts I used my riggers a bit this weekend, but I cant get em to take cranks off the ball. Im on em too at otisco but never have caught off riggers except harnesses after dark. Ill keep working at it as the short set back must make it a ball. Im always 200+ off boards...even with the tigers Justin Sent from my SPH-L710 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Well due to the fact that i dont know how to catch a non breeder sized fish from otisco i eat almost all of mine. I know nobody wants to hear that, but they are yummmy. I drove 600 miles last week commuting to otisco so to say i earn them is an understatement. I fish hard and my fish are my families main source of protein after our 6-8 deer are gone. So to answer your question of the 8 i caught....zero... Justin Sent from my N9500 using Lake Ontario United mobile app