The (Catch and Release) Tools of the Trade: Muskies 101
The (Catch and Release) Tools of the Trade: Muskies 101 By: Logan E 15 Minute Read To anyone who knows me it is no secret that I love to target muskies! Muskies are a unique angling target for a lot of reasons, be it their propensity to follow a bait right to the boat or shore, their complete disregard for people and watercraft that would cause other species to flee, their unique appearance and patterns, or their capacity to get gargantuan in a freshwater environment. One of their most defining characteristics is their absolute vulnerability. For a fish that can get to 60"/lbs, that has hundreds of teeth and a ferocity unrivaled they are incredibly delicate. Muskie are not well adapted to high concentrations of lactic acid (glucose is broken down into this acid during exercise or exertion). A prolonged fight with a muskie can leave them vulnerable to post-release mortality and this is the reason why proper tools and practices are so important. Muskies are also poor spawners,...