Finally got my first Musky - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

justin1982 · #1 06-30-2015, 01:46 PM

Awesome fish, congrats... Don't beat yourself up, it happens

catfishonthelake · #2 06-30-2015, 02:03 PM

This is a great example of how NOT to fish for muskies. With all the posts that have been on this site about having the proper tools for targeting these fish, it is mind-boggling that you would go and specifically target them without even having a NET???? I don't suggest fishing for muskies from a kayak, but to not even bring a net is irresponsible and poor sportsmanship, and above that dangerous. I'm sure people are gonna jump on me for this but the whole "don't beat yourself up" thing is a bunch of crap. This site should be promoting conservation and good fishing practices. There is no doubt in my mind that this fish would've survived had you been prepared. I thoroughly regret giving you advice on how to catch muskies and will not make the same mistake again.

Skunk City · #3 06-30-2015, 03:36 PM

Like pretty much everyone above has covered, these fish are no joke. Targeting them in a 9ft kayak with limited space for equipment and no net is just asking for trouble. Always plan for WORST CASE SCENARIO (huge pissed off fish, deeply hooked, etc.). Unless I am targeting Bass, my net is ALWAYS in my kayak and that has helped me land, photograph and release many 35"-40" fish from my kayak without hurting me or the fish.

Hopefully you pick up a large net, a more capable kayak, and a camera mount to take pics yourself if you choose to continue targeting this awesome species.

stevejordan · #4 06-30-2015, 04:42 PM

sweet first musky! is it going on the wall?

buzzbaiter · #5 06-30-2015, 05:21 PM

Personally I wouldn't have mentioned "it died" part. Up til then it was a good story

I make it a rule not to upload pics of fish that died. First of all seeing it would make me feel like sh*t and secondly I think its bad luck. We have all been there - I've had a 18" wild brown, 21" bass and numerous large pickerel pass away on me before I stopped using barbed lures and multi treble lures. It really does make a difference. Just pinching barbs down can increases survival by half I'm willing to bet. Most pike I get on single hook buzzbaits and spinners baits. So far - knock wood - no casualities I'm aware of and thats over 300 fish last few years.

#6 06-30-2015, 07:48 PM

People need to lighten up for crying out loud. We all makes mistakes, many of them innocent ones which this was. There's always the "Holier than God" crowd which feels compelled to be the judge and jury of everyone else. Masters of the Universe who do no wrong. I can understand people being upset when a trophy fish dies, I do as well. BUT clearly it was not the intention of the angler in this case to kill the fish and he posted an honest assessment of what happened in the hopes as he said that others will learn from his experience. In the process of doing so, he puts himself out in front of the court of public opinion where some feel obligated to tar and feather him regardless. I'm sure anyone complaining have themselves at one point or another in their life been in a similar situation whether they'd admit to it or not. I give this young man credit for putting in the hours and catching a truly trophy fish. If he fishes with Chrisper I can assure you he's an upstanding guy. Shit happens and in this case it did. Was it intentional...no. Could it have been prevented......yes but how many times have we as fisherman done things which weren't necessarily the smartest things in the world because of our desire to catch a trophy fish. I'm sure he won't make the same mistake again and I'm also sure others will learn from his honest post. I give him credit for having the courage and class to post the entire story. Ignore the haters, they always have something negative to post regardless of the circumstances. What matters is you had a great day, your enthusiasm for the sport is compelling and you learned a valuable lesson in the process. Unfortunate the fish died but it happens at times. Make a great mount and you'll have a memory of a lifetime!

Dakota

RyanMac14 · #7 06-30-2015, 09:01 PM

Nice fish buddy. You learn from your mistakes which many of us have in all walks of life besides fishing. You made your mistake and good on you for putting it out there for people to learn that certain fishing really is no joke. Congrats again on the trophy and hope your stuffin does it justice.

GetANet · #8 06-30-2015, 10:25 PM

bla bla bla bla !!! Nice fish, sucks it died but now you know.
Being properly prepared for the fish you pursue is the only way.

JerryC · #9 07-02-2015, 02:58 PM

congrats!!!!

FishinFool247 · #10 06-30-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

This is a great example of how NOT to fish for muskies. With all the posts that have been on this site about having the proper tools for targeting these fish, it is mind-boggling that you would go and specifically target them without even having a NET???? I don't suggest fishing for muskies from a kayak, but to not even bring a net is irresponsible and poor sportsmanship, and above that dangerous. I'm sure people are gonna jump on me for this but the whole "don't beat yourself up" thing is a bunch of crap. This site should be promoting conservation and good fishing practices. There is no doubt in my mind that this fish would've survived had you been prepared. I thoroughly regret giving you advice on how to catch muskies and will not make the same mistake again.

I think it is pretty crappy of you to reply to my njfishing post instead of the FB messages I sent you. You could have very easily just replied to me on FB instead of the internet. I know now that the way I fished was in poor judgment, before that I didn't know it was going to be so much of a struggle and it could end up killing the fish.
The reason I posted this and said the truth was so nobody else makes the mistake I made. If you look back at my messages on FB I explained what happened and that I learned my lesson. Since you want everyone on njfishing to see your reply, I will copy the texts to see if others agree with me. I think that not responding to my texts and replying to my NJFISHING post was not right of you. So here is our FB chat that you stopped replying to and decided to bash me on the Internet instead.

Me: Thanks a lot for all your advice you gave me on gear and stuff! I started my Musky career off with a 41 inch girthy tiger musky, I caught at (name of lake I fished). it took me well over 10,000 casts, and every single one was worth it..lol How much do you think he would weigh?

You: Why did you kill it? That's not cool.

Me: Well I had some difficulty landing him in my Kayak without a net, and by the time I got a hold of him....he pretty much went belly up and I couldn't revive him.....it was the last thing that I wanted to happen....I don't plan on fishing solo out of my Kayak anymore for musky after I killed this fish.I really need to get a boat ASAP because the kayak apparently isn't made for musky fishing. I really do feel bad about killing that beautiful fish, and I hope it never happens again.

You: (no response) (and then your reply to my post on the internet) and then you delete me as a friend on FB.

Doe's anybody else think that this is messed up?