Treble Conversion

[Ivan]

I was thinking the same exact thing Frank, but just didn't say anything. I think the muskies will be a different story than the pike you are catching. I don't smash any barbs either, and I am usually catching muskies on plugs that have two or three sets of trebles trolled at higher speeds. Very rare that I have to cut hooks, and I am a fanatic when it comes to releasing all our muskies quickly and unharmed. Like Frank said, a lot of fish come unhooked in the net when they thrash around in the water when you are looking for pliers. Keep a good set of heavy, long hookouts/pliers. Grab the bend on the hook where it enters the flesh on the fish and give it a good hard shake or yank, almost using the weight of the fish to apply force aginst the hook and direction you are pulling. Any gingerly pulling or shaking will not get the job done and just take too long. I keep knippex and heavy bolt cutters just in case.

Even if you do have to cut hooks, they are cheap and if you have the right kind of knippex and bolt cutters ready, it's just as quick as yanking hooks out. Just remember to remove the hook pieces left in the fish if you do have to cut.

[ttabaleulb]

Great point about the smaller fish!! With the limited amount of Musky that we have landed, only one (the first) created a very tough issue with getting the hooks out. We did have to cut the back trebles. Most of the others had the hooks pop right out with not much of an issue and some did come out in the net.

The trout fisherman in me will continue with the pinched barbs on my baits. So far, I have not seen any evidence of losing fish because of it. And since I fish solo quite a bit, I prefer anything that can make the release as efficient as possible.

Thanks for the input guys!!

[Trauts]

Great point about the smaller fish!! With the limited amount of Musky that we have landed, only one (the first) created a very tough issue with getting the hooks out. We did have to cut the back trebles. Most of the others had the hooks pop right out with not much of an issue and some did come out in the net.

The trout fisherman in me will continue with the pinched barbs on my baits. So far, I have not seen any evidence of losing fish because of it. And since I fish solo quite a bit, I prefer anything that can make the release as efficient as possible.

Thanks for the input guys!!

I keep calling you about getting out and chasing some 'skies...but no return phone call...what's up with that?