Ivan

I'm looking forward to paying more attention to fin clips and the results of the study. It may just be my perception, but I have always felt that our nicest (heaviest/healthiest/cleanest looking) Chautauqua muskies had no fin clips. I don't think either of the big 53"ers caught/released last year had any clipped fins. I know it's not always the case, but those fish without clipped fins should be mostly naturally produced fish. Correct? The study should also help determine a percentage of naturally reproduced fish in the lake. I've heard percentages like 10-25% of the total population are natural fish in the past.

I fish with a few guys that prefer not to mess with sliders either. To each their own I guess. I really only run them at LSC because the water is so big and it helps us cover more area. Just gets two more baits in the water for me, and it definitely increases our chances of catching fish, or helps us catch more fish. Just to clarify...I'm talking about planer board sliders. Not 3 way rigs or anything to tangle or harm fish. My planer board slider lines are typically anywhere from 20-50' in length. The slider release is typically 20-30' from my main line release, so the baits are very far apart from each other. About the same or farther apart than if you were just running two boat rods out opposite sides of your boat. When a muskie hits the slider bait, it pops that slider release, the slider line then slides down to and pops the main line release, then the slider line slides down the main line to the swivel at the top of the leader on my main line and starts pulling drag from the reel. I reel the fish in as far as I can with my rod and reel (to the bait attached to the main line on that rod), then pick up the slider line and hand line the fish in the rest of the way (the length of the slider...20-50'). It's actually really fun hand lining big fish, and we've caught multiple 50"ers, up to 53"s on sliders. We've also had occasions where we get a fish on the slider and the main line simultaneously, so you end up with a double on the same rod. If you haven't ever seen the set-up, it's kind of difficult to explain without a diagram.

Thanks Larry. I saw the hook rule after I made my last post. It's a bit grey/confusing though. I think the hook point thing is geared more towards those umbrella or Alabama rigs for bass. So would a rod with a two hook bait on the main line and a slider line with a two hook bait off that same main line/rod be legal? I know based on hooks you are ok (at 4 total), but is that one line or two? I was under the impression that would be considered two lines even though they were attached to the same rod and reel. And if you are running two other rods, you would technically have 4 lines out, which is illegal. I know what you mean about keeping lines clean at Chq...It's definitely work. I have't ever run sliders on Chq, but if it were weed free enough, I'd put them out if it were legal. I'm all for having as many baits in the water as I'm allowed and don't mind doing weed checks or running planer board lines.

Thanks Steve. I just reviewed the 2015 NY fishing regulations and saw: "an angler may operate no more than three lines with or without a rod" That means sliders are illegal if you are using 3 rods. I think the verbage may have recently changed though. I thought I remember NY being 3 rods per angler with no more than 4 hooks per rod.

I read through the rules yesterday and don't remember any mention of planer boards, so they must be allowed. I would say just use some common sense and have some courtesy for other boaters and fisherman. No need to run your boards 125' feet out each side...It's not LSC. I've been running my boards at 50' and it's been working just fine. Plus you don't have to crank them in as far when you hit a pile of floaters and they need cleaned. You might want them a little further out if you are trying to run multiple rods or sliders off each board, but that would have to be a big pain with all the floating pond weed. One question I had based on the rules I read. It looked like in one area of the rules it mentions a girth measurement and photo. Is a photo of a girth measurement also required, or just a photo of the length? I also wondered about the recommendation for jaw spreaders. Do guys use those for muskies? I've never owned a pair. I'd probably like to fish it, but I'll be in Canada that weekend. Good luck to everyone. I'm sure it will be good.

Just some idea of what might be available with those parameters. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp?toPrice=15,000&type=(Power)&fromYear=1998&searchtype=homepage&Ntk=boatsEN&sm=3&toYear=2003&luom=126&toLength=25&cit=true&currencyid=100&fromPrice=10,000&fromLength=23&slim=quick&is=false&pricderange=$10,000%20-%20$15,000&No=0

Nope. That wasn't directed at you Les, or anyone else specifically and I agree with what you said. My point is that good muskie fishing relies on catch and release. The species and what's required to have good fishing is different than other more popular species. It's ok to keep a bunch of salmon to eat each year because their numbers rely on stocking and they die when they spawn every 3 or 4 years anyway. Guys that don't fish for salmon might not understand that and there's alot I don't know about salmon because they are not my targeted species the majority of the time. Guys that don't have as much experience with muskies specifically, may not understand how important catch and release is as well as somebody that fishes for them all the time...that's all. Should have realized my wording there might be mis-interpreted and create some backlash.

I'll man-up and respond. I feel obligated since I called out Old Man a couple years ago for his release techniques (I'm guessing that's what he's referring to). Although my passion for muskies hasn't changed, my approach to certain topics has. I should have approached things differently back then Old Man, and I've said that before...sorry. I've also given you praise for your improved release techniques since then. That's in the past though. I've come to learn that you seem like a good guy and do care about the fish/fishery. I think Old Man's question has to do with muskies, specifically. We aren't talking about salmon, trout, bass or walleye. There probably isn't another species around here that relies on good catch and release like muskies. (maybe something like paddlefish or sturgeon but nobody is really targeting them). No offense intended, but if you aren't a serious, dedicated muskie angler, you probably don't have enough personal investment and experience to understand. Muskie fishing is better now (most places) than it's ever been, and a big part of that is thanks to catch and release. The increased popularity of the sport makes catch and release even more important. Guys are catching and re-catching fish that other muskie anglers have previously caught all the time now. There just aren't that many muskies and the better we all are at our release techniques, the better fishing will be for everyone. I can't re-catch a muskie that died because of someone else's bad release techniques and same goes for others if I don't do my part with my fish to release them well. That doesn't mean that all muskies have to be released, but 99% of muskies caught by dedicated muskie anglers are released. It is still within peoples' right to keep a legal sized muskie, if they chose, but we should all do our part to release them properly to give them the best chance at survival when we do release them. I have alot of respect for Rich. He's a legend in our sport. He's caught alot of muskies that are bigger than the biggest I've ever had in my boat. I also have alot of respect for other guys guiding/chartering on the St Lawrence like Bob, Darryl, and Paul that use this board and others. Those guys spent countless hours on very difficult water, in brutal conditions, in search of giant muskies each season. I'm sure they all understand the importance of good catch and release techniques, especially on a world class, natural fishery like the St Lawrence. If nothing else, their businesses depend on it. I don't have enough personal experience with the St Lawrence to comment on how release techniques may or may not affect the fishery there. I do know cooler water temps can make a big difference. However, I have seen personal accounts of poor handling of muskies by people fishing from big boats in the past at St Clair in the summer though. Releasing muskies from large boats can be more challenging. I've seen plenty of floating dead muskies at LSC due to poor releases in the past. I've even tried to revive some of them when a big boat tossed it over the side and didn't stop. Most of those guys have learned/adapted/evolved and are using different techniques now, and the fishery has benefited from it. If I was fishing from a large boat that didn't allow me to use my net as a livewell/holding pen in the water, and I was concerned about the health of my released fish, this is what i would use: