I fish a lake that the Game Dept stocks with these sterile hybrids to control the pike minnow population.  Although I have never caught one, I have had a few in the 3' to 4' range swirl under a retrieved crankbait or spinnerbait.  My question is....being that I fish alone, how would I even land a fish that size?  I carry a normal size rubber net that most bass guys carry.  I've seen the sling type that real pike/musky guys use, but can a lone fisherman even use something like that? 

Although I probably will never even hook up with one (must be at least 50" or over to keep), I would like to have an idea of what I might do if I ever do. 

Thanks for any ideas.

You could get a pair of extra long nose pliers or a hook out tool along with a Boga grip to remove hooks with the musky in the water, a little tricky but can be done. 50" musky is going to weigh over 30 lbs and your standard size bass net isn't going to work!

Tom

If you don't want to buy a bigger net (I think we need a bigger boat. Jaws reference.) get a pair of long pliers and release the fish without holding it. I carry a long pair of pliers for fishing on the Susquehanna river cause sometimes (rarely) I will hook into a musky and actually get it close enough to release it. But most of the time the musky just gets close enough to see what is on the other end of the line and then he/she opens up their mouth and the lure comes flying back at me.

What do you fish out of ?? If you're in a kayak get to the bank or at least very shallow water...in a boat you just need to wear her out and grab underneath the gill plate... If you plan on targeting one get a bigger net. 

Like mentioned above if you are near shore beach the boat then beach the musky. You can also grab a fish that is played out under the chin where the gill plate attaches tucking your four fingers under the gill plate while your thumb slides up the V under his snout. You can also land one using a boga grip by grabbing his lower jaw. A cradle takes two people to land a big fish. Only other option is to carry a big net. 

Just reach in there and grab it behind the gill and the bottom space under the mouth. You have to grab it like you mean it. You can kinda see my right hand in this pic. This fish isnt 50" or a tiger but close enough.

Be careful fooling around a musky gill covers, they are sharp! You can also grab smaller size musky by the neck between the upper gill covers and lift them out of the water. Remember muskies have big teeth along the outside jaws and very sharp smaller teeth inside the mouth, so handle with caution! Musky are like a alligator in a net and tend to twist and roll, they don't lay still in a net and one reason musky angers use the cradles.

Tiger musky will hit all types of bass lures so you will more than likely catch one, good luck!

Tom

 

 

A Fish Grip, set of long pliers, and cojones is all you need.  I don't net northerns, musky, or tigers ever.  Usually I'm able to release them boat side.

1 hour ago, sully420 said:

Just reach in there and grab it behind the gill and the bottom space under the mouth. You have to grab it like you mean it. You can kinda see my right hand in this pic. This fish isnt 50" or a tiger but close enough.

Yup, a finger for a pickerel, or a Kung fu grip full fist for the big boys. Long nose pliers are a must, and a pair of dykes might come in handy too. 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Grip-Master-II/product/97490/

 

I use this to grip them in the mouth and remove the lure while keeping them in the water. This was bought for snakeheads but I found it works great on things like Pike and Muskie. The local DNR Biologist said it is best to not remove the large fish from the water. After having a 3' Pike flopping around my desk with 3 sets of trebles I agree.

 

Allen

Stare it right in the eye. The first one to blink loses!

Thank you all for your replies.  I fish out of a 18' Ranger so the shore thing is out.  I think I'll pick up a grip of some sort.  I don't target them at all and I don't use a wire leader so even getting one to the boat would be a long shot.  My main concern here would be the well being of the fish so I wouldn't be removing it from the water if possible.  Unless it looked to be over 50.

You can also use a glove if you are planning to grab them behind the gill plate.  I have one that is of a rubber palm that is able to grip the fish's slimy body better and will also protect against gill rakers, teeth, hooks, etc.

Check out a fish griper. I've pulled 48" muskies into my Kayak with no worries.