How much mud is too much?

[justin1982]

Earlier today I did some pike fishing. I landed a nice 25 incher, which leads me to my question. The fish was landed safely, quickly and cleanly. While returning it to the water, I slipped and completely busted my ass. The pike landed in the mud and then flopped itself over, completely covering it's self in Passaic River mud. I was very upset so despite the softball that was growing off my ankle, I grabbed the pike and got him back in the water. I resuscitated him for at least a minute and he slowly swam off and disappeared. I waited for a couple of minutes to see if he bellied up and he didn't. I then hobbled home to get some ice. Will this pike survive? It wasn't a long fight and he was out of the water 30 seconds tops...

[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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[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by justin1982

Earlier today I did some pike fishing. I landed a nice 25 incher, which leads me to my question. The fish was landed safely, quickly and cleanly. While returning it to the water, I slipped and completely busted my ass. The pike landed in the mud and then flopped itself over, completely covering it's self in Passaic River mud. I was very upset so despite the softball that was growing off my ankle, I grabbed the pike and got him back in the water. I resuscitated him for at least a minute and he slowly swam off and disappeared. I waited for a couple of minutes to see if he bellied up and he didn't. I then hobbled home to get some ice. Will this pike survive? It wasn't a long fight and he was out of the water 30 seconds tops...

It's fine. Fish shed their slime coat periodically and any mud will be removed with it. Slime protects the fish and it sheds from time to time to remove foreign bodies and bacteria.