PR Pike 5/31/15

[buzzbaiter]

My comment was more in reference to this photo. That's a lot of "substrate" on that fish

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by buzzbaiter

My comment was more in reference to this photo. That's a lot of "substrate" on that fish

Yes, with this picture you have a point. I was by myself, and it was difficult to get a grip on her with rod in one hand. I did not intend for her to get muddy. I would absolutely rather have a photo with out any substrate on the fish, but I was more concerned with getting her released as quickly as possible than cleaning her off.

[Chrisper4694]

it's a wild animal, you can't always control it. anyway i'd say if it does get in the mud or dirt by accident...do not wipe it off...i'd think that would make it worse wiping it off would take the mucus off with the dirt/mud. I think you did the right thing and just let it go asap. I've caught pike with severed gills hanging out of them released them and then caught what i'm pretty sure were the same ones (same injuries) later in the season...they are survivors.

we do our best to release the fish we don't want to eat unharmed, but lets not forget we are hunting them down and jamming a hook into their faces....