The first musky topic has got me thinking what steps do each of us go thru to try to release their catch the saftest way. Just figured it may teach a few people some new techniques and i for one am always open to learning a new trick or two to help.

one common misconception is to push and pull the pike/musky slowly forward and backward to help it breath. It actually suffocates them. You are supposed to just keep them upright until they can take off under their own power. Just learned that from a big musky guy a short time ago.
They are a very fragile creature. Even if they swim off under their own power doesn't guarantee its going to survive.

I wrote this piece about OUR routine for safely handling muskies in another forum. Everyone has their own methods and should get confident, but NOT too comfortable with their routine: Heres the article. Enjoy.

Proper handling and releasing of muskies is pretty much like fishing for them in itself. Over time and through hands on experiences, you will develop an effective routine which will suit you fine. Everyone needs to have a common respect and care for the fish that they plan on releasing, bottom line. If you do that, you WILL make efforts to do what is right in proper fish handling which includes reading, acquiring the proper tools and finally applying what you've collected....knowledge and gear alike. It is pretty simple really...have the attitude that you want to keep that fish out of it is environment for as little time as possible ensuring it's safety as well as your own. Develop a routine that is both effective and comfortable for you. Below, I share my own personal routine that I thoroughly go through with each new person that fishes with me.

1. Always TRY to fish with at least one partner. Make every effort possible to fish with somebody if you can. If you fish alone, good luck! Educate any passengers prior to fishing so that they know and understand what you expect beforehand. Trying to go over it while scrambling around with a fish, may turn into disaster for you.

2. Make every effort to purchase or acquire the best quality fish handling equipment. Here is what I use
- a long set of needle nose pliers (mine are 16” long)
- heavy duty, long handled bolt cutters
- Boga Grip - modified with 18" handle.
- a quality, rubber dipped landing net
- regular needle nose pliers
- tape measure

THE ROUTINE:
1. After bringing a fish to the boat, be sure the fish is well played out before attempting to net or Boga the fish. (I once had a 42" muskie, that was still green, swim so hard through the net and got wedged in the net half way through! I had to cut my net and I’m sure it was not good for the fish). Lesson learned!

2. When captured (whether with net or Boga), keep the fish in the water until your partner gets what you need ready. Typically bolt cutters or pliers at this point. There is no need to pull a fish into the boat while it still has a lure attached to it. (One of the things I cannot stand to see is when guys hold up fish for a picture while the lure is still attached…a sure way to learn an unfortunate lesson and a terrible example for novices to see!)

3. At this time, one person just needs to keep a little pressure on the leader/line so that the other person can cut away the hooks with the bolt cutters while the fish is still hanging over the side and body still in the water. If the fish is lightly hooked, gently pry out the hooks with the long nose pliers.

4. Once the lure is free, lift the fish out of the water by supporting its weight near the belly. If you gill the fish, be sure to slide your fingers between the gills and outer gill plate or just use the Boga. Again, remember to support the fishes weight with your other hand!

5. Take a quick measurement and Photo and back to the water as quickly as possible.

6. The process of releasing a fish is certainly debatable…again, do what works best for you. I have found that as long as I lay the fish into the water and support it upright, it generally takes off fine. However, some fish need a little help so gently, I MEAN GENTLY, rocking it back and forth will help. Every once in awhile, I will let the fish go on its own to see if it will balance upright on by itself. If the fish does this, it is typically good to go in a few seconds.

7. Finally, it is always gratifying when a ski gives you the splash salute! I’ve had a few of these and I love every one!

A Couple Quick Notes:

Believe it or not once you have developed a solid routine, 1 through 5 in the “routine” should only take less than a minute and I mean that literally. Just sit there and focus on your watch until a minute goes by and you will get a true sense of how long it should take.

I know that the use of a Boga Grip type tool is debatable and sometimes controversial. I personally and simply look at it like this. We are impaling fish with 5, 6 & 7 O hooks…what can possibly be worse? Have you ever seen a muskie roll in the net literally 50 times in 5 seconds? My own safety and the safety of my passengers are slightly more important than the safety of the fish I catch. I’m sorry if that offends anyone, but it’s the way it is! If folks feel the other way around, and believe it or not, there are some fishermen out there that do; Maybe they should consider not fishing at all. Simply mere observation.

I felt the need to mention that not every fish we catch enters the boat either. In fact, most fish NEVER leave the water. If the fish is smaller and the “catcher” does not want a picture, the hooks are removed and the fish immediately released.

If I missed anything, please feel free to add anything that works for you!

HOPE THIS HELPS!! Good Luck out there on the water and be safe!

1 of the worst things to do to a fish is hold it vertically.  all the weight shift can do internal damage.  the fish's anatomy is not designed to carry and support its weight, if anything, hold the fish horizonally while supporting the belly.  best id to leave it in the water or supported in a cradle.

Shutupandfish,

Great post...Definitely don't take the fish out of the water in the net.  It never ends up well for the net, fish, or gear.

Always have extra treble hooks for the lures your using, cause 9/10 of the time its easier and safer to just cut the hooks (as close to the fish as possible, it will fall out on its own).

Use proper tackle (rod, reel, line ect) when targeting musky.  It does no good to target them on light tackle especially in the heat of summer.  The fight will last to long and more then likely make a live release impossible.  If caught on light gear by accident then attempt to bring the fish to net as quick as possible.

To add to the release, hold the fish facing into the current.  If in a lake with no current, have someone use the trolling motor and slowly move to make a false current which will help run water through the gills.  Moving them backwards (water moving from gills to mouth) is what suffocates the fish.

Have released a good number of muskie and I feel they survived because of quick release the sooner the better.  

Well put I always try to net a fish as soon as possible another thing is to get the best net you can afford I had a 47 incher roll up in my net before had to cut the net and hooks. Best to get a hook proof net since I have got one haven't had any problems. I have sacrificed pics for the safe release of a fish that is something your have to learn from experience.

one BIG thing i do for both my own saftey and the fishes is to take all the barbs off the hook. If you just crimp them down with a good pair of pliars or even take a file to them it can save you alot of time removing the hooks from the fish, the net and in some instances yourself! Last year on my bday my dad and i got our lines tangled on a cast and i ended up with the front hook of a 6 inch jake buried in my cheek but all it took was a bit of pressure and it came right out

I personally will never pinch barbs down on my trebles. Simply because I have invested much time, money and heartaches into the sport. When I finally hook into a muskie, I want to have every variable to ensure I bring the fish to the boat. One of those variables is certainly the barbs on my hooks. Call me selfish or whatever, but I choose not to take it to the extreme of removing barbs, I'm sorry. Another case of "To each his own".

A couple years ago i was fishing by myself and caught a 45" muskie. I wanted a picture with me holding it but there was no one else in sight. This was very late season and not many if any other boats were out. Not thinking i'd do any damage to it, i filled the big rear livewell, turned on the recirclater pump and kept fishing while hopeing someone would come by so i could get that picture i wanted. I checked that livewell every 15 to 20 minutes for a couple hours and it seemed to be moving it's gills and body okay. Finally had someone come by to take the pic. Couple pics and released it. Seemed to swim away okay but not strong. 15 minutes later as i was putting my boat on the trailer i saw it float back up and just lay on it's side. Took the boat back off the trailer and went and tried to revive it for what seemed like half an hour. Just couldn't get it to go so i took it home with me. I was dissapointed with myself and learned my lesson about these fish. They are very fragile. Do not put them in a livewell unless you plan to keep it. Wont ever happen again. That picture, to me, wasn't worth losing that big fish.