35 replies to this topic

[Tyfisher]

What is the best way to handle a pickerel and release it with the least amount of damage to the fish?

[J Francho]

Use a Fish Grip or Boga Grip.

[clayton86]

Dont catch it in the first place lol I release some northerns in the water I fish out of a canoe so I just get em along side me and use my pliers never touching them I hate the dang snot rockets

[J Francho]

I usually just jam the pliers into their brains. Too many pickerels in the lakes I fish. Big northerns, now that's another story. Treat them with respect - takes a long time to grow a 40" pike.

[deaknh03]

I usually just jam the pliers into their brains. Too many pickerels in the lakes I fish. Big northerns, now that's another story. Treat them with respect - takes a long time to grow a 40" pike.

Is that technique similar to catch and release?

[J Francho]

Yes, if you mean release the meat from the bone for pike casserole.

[clayton86]

Yeah I forgot you told me you guys keep alot of the pickerel because there's to many.

[J Francho]

Oneida is the worst. 10:1 pickerel to bass, and that's on a good day.

[clayton86]

Its like that in my 1 spot but its northerns to bass its actually really annoying

[J Francho]

Once it's post spawn, they settle down and occupy different niches. I don't know what it is about Oneida, though. It's ten times worse there than anywhere else - even the City Dump where there's too many axe handle northerns.

[clayton86]

The spot im talking about on Johnsons creek above the dam early spring nothing but bass with the occasional pike then the bass spawn and disappear and its northern like ever other cast doesn't matter if your shallow or deep cranking or dragging the bottom with a jig or t rig your gonna catch a pike anywhere from 20"-36" is my biggest but iv hooked and lost bigger there my dad has a 48" on his wall from 86 when I was born that came from there.

[J Francho]

That's a big pike.

Anyway, a fish grip and long pliers, and like Clayton said, work the hook out boat side. It's all the flopping around, and squeezing them too hard, along with lack of oxygen, that does them in. If it's a long fight, hold them upright until catch their breath and they swim away.

[clayton86]

Also holding vertical is a big no no i heard especially on bigger fish because there long slender bodies they cant handle it or something. idk how true it is i see alot of pics of pros holding them by the gills straight up and down with no support on there belly

[J Francho]

Probably not an issue for a pick. Pike over 30" though...yeah.

[GrundleLove]

Whats with all the pick hate?

Its a sport fish is it not? I find them great to fish and always put up a good fight. Also they are pretty good looking fish too.