How much mud is too much?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Were the fins on the fish red? If so it means the fish is stressed due to warm water. If not the fish will be ok in my opinion. We all know the P can be tricky! I had a net break on me during the Pike contest and watched a good size fish hit the dirt hard. I've caught the same fish out of 4-6 different stretches multiple times over more years than I can count. They are resilient for sure. Just look at the floods these fish have to go through. They are stonger than most anglers think!

[justin1982]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Were the fins on the fish red? If so it means the fish is stressed due to warm water. If not the fish will be ok in my opinion. We all know the P can be tricky! I had a net break on me during the Pike contest and watched a good size fish hit the dirt hard. I've caught the same fish out of 4-6 different stretches multiple times over more years than I can count. They are resilient for sure. Just look at the floods these fish have to go through. They are stonger than most anglers think!

Fins were not red, glad to hear you think the pike will live. I'd trust your opinion

[Eskimo]

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It's probably fine.

A fish's slime coat helps protect it from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and some external parasites. The slime coat also helps the fish osmoregulate since its blood is saltier than the water. When a fish is on a dry or absorbent surface, like lawn grass or pavement, it's slime coat is disturbed and the fish is open to all types of infections.

That's why only a rank-amateur would hold a fish in a towel (I've seen someone do that) or even handle them with dry hands.

If the fish was out of the water briefly and then landed in wet mud, it's likely the fish survived his encounter and is stalking the river as we speak.


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