muskiedreams

SLR anglers are much quieter about posting about their catches than in other waters. It is just that way in low density and/or natural trophy musky waters and small waters. It can be the same way on some walleye waters and trout streams. I don't think it matters so much with the SLR because the water is so huge and success rates so low.

choo-choo, I'm glad you understand that I was not trying to bash you. I just saw that picture with the fish laying in the back of the boat with the net torn through the tail fin and became concerned. I realize that with a big boat, it is not possible to keep the fish in the net at boatside while removing or cutting the hooks and you just have to do the best you can. I do hope your friend considers using a fin saver type muskie net. They have thicker netting and a tighter mesh so it won't tear through the fins as easily, and if it does, it probably won't go as deep. The netting also has a coating that helps to keep the net from removing protective slime. I believe the hoop and the bag are also larger. Also, with the coating, the hooks don.t penetrate through the cord of the net as easily. Again, Great fish. I would be happy getting a 50". I know someone who got a SLR 56" this year while jigging. His description of the experience was incredible. He tells me that in the SLR they fight harder than anywhere else he has fished for them.

Great fish!! Please don't take me wrong but I am concerned about muskies being released safely with as little trauma as possible. Here are some improvements that can be made over what was done. 1) Larger coated net with tighter and thicker mesh to help keep from damaging the fins (you can see in the picture the net is torn through the tail fin). 2) Always use a high quality steel leader or very heavy fluorocarbon leader and check it often for damage. 3) Keep the fish in the water while removing or cutting hooks if possible. With some larger boats it may not be possible but everything you can do to minimize time out of water or anything that will rub slime off the fish will reduce the chance of delayed mortality. Wet any surface the fish will come in contact with. If you can, lift the fish out of the net while it is in the water instead of lifting the fish out of the water with the net. Again, please don't take this wrong.

That is not an easy question to answer. For one thing, most lures have an optimum trolling speed or speed range for best action. So you will need to watch lure action and try to make sure all the lures you are running are compatible, speed wise. Some lures are more sensitive to speed than others. Since the water temps are not very cold yet, you will not have to go too slow unless maybe if fish are inactive and hugging structure. Since you will be in a river with differences in current, that will be a factor as well. When you change your direction in relation to current direction or if you enter into an area where the current speed changes, you may have to compensate. Trolling cross current or at an angle to the current often is easier to control than with or against the current. But sometimes when working an edge, you have no choice but to go with or against it. Keep in mind that lures will go deeper with the current than they will against the current (with same amount of line out), depending on current speed and line diameter. And of course when you go against the current you need to be going fast enough to cover ground. If you find a combination that works for you, stick with it and pound the same area for a while because there are most likely more fish there. You can also try similar structure, etc. with same program or slight variations. You may also want to try jigging around deep structure or casting around shallower structure and weed beds. Especially at dusk and dawn in shallow. Areas where there are current breaks, temperature changes or color changes are good bets to try. A lot of the locals troll open and deep water with downriggers but that doesn't mean shallower 15 to 25 ft areas and the structure will not be productive. Muskies are a special and very fragile resource in the St Lawrence, especially since it is an all natural fishery. So please be prepared to treat them kindly. Here is a discussion in LOU about musky catch and release techniques. Good Luck