How to handle a Musky (THE RIGHT WAY)

[@mattseidl2765]

“MUSKY CARE 101” You’re a modern day pioneer for the sport, Doug!

[@seanlandsman7516]

Great video, Doug! Really well explained and thorough. Our science paper (Landsman et al. 2011) showed negligible mortality (we found none in our study but no fishery has 0% angling mortality) when using handling techniques like this. One additional recommendation for anglers - once the fish is back in the water, if it's upright take your hands off it (grab a release pic or two should be no issue). Any additional handling - be it touching or sloshing back and forth - is unnatural and stressful for the fish. If the fish is upright and able to maintain equilibrium, that's a REALLY good sign the fish is likely to survive. Even if they don't bolt away - upright = good. Pointing their head into current or wind is a good idea, although it should be noted that muskies already use buccal pumping (coordinated mouth and gill opening) to promote water flow over their gills. If holding their head into wind or current requires a lot of handling though, I would recommend not worrying about it. Anything we can do to minimize 1) air exposure or 2) handling will be best for the fish.

[@90_day_outdoors73]

As someone who is getting into Musky fishing, I needed this video!

[@vincetripp6713]

"Musky Care 101“ Great video Doug, this will help to educate many people and save a ton of muskie in the process.

[@to2337olet]

MUSKY CARE 101 Two absolute studs in this video 🔥 Thanks for paving the way!

[@MuskyJaeger19]

All the musky tackle retailers should have this video on their website.

[@devondemerath3694]

“MUSKY CARE 101” Absolutely great video, good job Doug.

[@TuffEsox]

Great video! Thanks for showing folks that you bring the fish to the back of the boat - the widest, lowest, and most stable part of the vessel. This is especially important on BIG H2O and in big waves. I've personally seen too many fish perish at the hands of anglers who don't know what to do on big H2O. Also, multiples of all your tools is crucial. The fish is the #1 priority and education is the key. You're a great ambassador for our sport! Proud to have you as a member of Titletown Muskies, Inc.!

[@emilygrote9621]

Thank you for sharing about the bump board! That’s very important, especially keeping it wet in the live well. 🙌🏻

[@sticks1215]

I have been watching videos in preparation for our first musky hunt. I am VERY impressed with the clarity of instruction. Great video and thanks!

[@adamc9765]

I’ve never caught a Muskie in my life. But I definitely want to start trying. This video is outstanding as I would have never thought of half the stuff you mentioned. Thank you!!

[@esoxinator968]

Probly my last year for musky fishing even with guys like you teaching exelant tips there's a lot of critics out there wen a musky guy sees a video or a picture they only see wat was wrong so either no pics or sell all my gear and chase Walleyes thanks for all the awsome videos Doug

[@jimholmes6963]

Thanks for the video. It was very helpful. I am looking to get into musky fishing. Thanks for the tips

[@illmuskyhunter3313]

Simple but so very important. Thank you for highlighting the thumb in the notch under the chin, I see so many people with a thumb on top or the side of the mouth and that's how teeth end up in fingers. The first musky caught that I was in the boat for was 2001 and sure as shit in a split second my uncle, who's an experienced musky angler especially then, ended up with a 4 inch v in his thumb thanks to a giant tooth. Had to soak his thumb in an epsom salt solution three times a day for two weeks

[@hayleysefton8773]

Musky Care 101. Thank you for the great video!

[@isaiahbettinger6350]

MUSKY CARE 101 Learning something every time I watch!

[@samplays4421]

Thank you, very informative on what to do and not to do.

[@esoxmasquinongy8657]

Unfortunately I held my first musky vertically and it was a 50”+ sized fish but I didn’t hurt her badly and she did swim off strong. But I still feel guilty about how I did that.

[@HaightsWanderings]

Thanks for being a steward for our waters and fisheries. You're an excellent ambassador for the sport. Rock on!

[@noelarbuckle1470]

Great presentation on how to handle muskys!!

[@peterduffy5388]

Wonderful video I have been fishing muskie on the Ottawa River for a number of years and certainly some of my releases were not the best. This video has certainly given me information that I can use. Musky gloves so necessary when handling these wonderful fish.

[@lukem2492]

Great video Doug, thanks

[@tylerflorczak8508]

MUSKY CARE 101-Awesome video Doug! Maybe see ya back on Vermilion soon boss!

[@kaylawerner3107]

MUSKY CARE 101 Neat to have a channel to watch and learn from someone in the area we now call home!

[@xfrostyghost4426]

“MUSKY CARE 101” You are an absolute legend!

[@mckenziemanthe962]

“MUSKY CARE 101” Such a great video! These fish are such beautiful and incredible fish to catch !

[@stupennycook8604]

Interesting and informative. Thanks man. My buddy and I are about to embark into the musky world and this video has answered all our questions. Safe fishing.

[@mattcavallo7421]

MUSKIE CARE 101. This is honestly an excellent video.

[@gilltineadventures1603]

Great information for someone who wants to get into it! Thank you!

[@patrickcronin5406]

Musky care 101, thanks for the tips Doug hopefully we can all keep these big fish swimin!

[@christophereric1407]

Thank you for this. The only way this 44 gets to be a 54 is if we don't kill it it the three minutes we have care and control of it.

[@ibanez2010]

Thanks, Doug. Great content and camera work.

[@FryFlier]

Great video Doug, have the tools and take the advice. Just reminded me to get a new pair of gloves. Thank you.

[@RAYOUILLE]

i am so impressed with your care for the fish bro

[@colincrawford8771]

Awesome video man!! This is going to help a lot of fish!

[@garynaylor670]

great video Doug

[@ripper2087]

Great video Doug! So many people are catching muskies without the knowledge of proper handling. Same goes for Northern Pike and Walleye. I'm sharing this with all of my fishing friends.

[@jhcoop70]

Musky care 101. Thanks for the video Doug.

[@jonrenquist6882]

This is the perfect 101 handling video I have been looking for since I am new to the sport!! Muskie Care 101

[@centralmn4071]

Excellent information, thanks for sharing

[@austinkroos]

Seriously, best video for any fisherman that targets musky/northern pike. This is a great video man. I learned a lot, and you explained everything perfectly 🙏👌

[@jenksfan5]

Musky Care 101! Great video Doug.

[@danestrada2522]

Thank you for the video, excellent information

[@robsimpson6537]

Awesome A-Z tutorial. I’m at Webster lake in indiana right now. Cold front conditions. Tough bite so far. Looking forward for the south winds today!🎣

[@chrishillard4950]

What brand of gloves do you use? Great video!

[@Everarmed89]

Amazing video. Everyone that fishes for muskie/pike should watch it. I always compared the vertical hold on a muskie to someone lifting you straight upward by the roof of your mouth with their hand

[@bryanjellinger7347]

Very informative video! Great for new and experienced muskie fisherman

[@mattgillisfishing]

Muskie care 101! Great video, one musky on lotw for opener safely released, can’t wait to get back out there this weekend.

[@kevinarnott1409]

Another great video, thank you

[@ryanseidl6898]

“MUSKY CARE 101” Love what you’re doing!

[@davidscearse4104]

Wow Doug what a great video

[@cschoo12345]

Thanks for the great info, everyone should watch this video if they fish muskies! Musky Care 101

[@sadbutwedidntstartit]

Awesome info, thanks

[@curtadams3281]

👍as always...good information ! One to save for passing on to people that need some educating.

[@paulmarquardt6595]

Another Great informative video!

[@katejuelfs1305]

MUSKY CARE 101 Great video!

[@timseverson5578]

Great Video!! Thanks much for sharing!!

[@teamborlund323]

"MUSKY CARE 101" Keep putting out great information!

[@alexwynn1970]

MUSKY CARE 101 I want to catch a musky this year so bad I almost caught one earlier this year. Thanks for all the tips

[@masontyler2817]

man i feel like im not worthy enough to catch one now......... great video! I've caught probably less than five as i dont ever go for them on purpose and i always release as quickly as possible and i never grabbed between their gill plate and gills - i would support head and tail while keeping horizontal i didnt however know about the the slime on dry surfaces - i always would wet my hands but didnt think about clothing or surfaces.... Wow

[@marcsheldon6512]

Great video! For newbies and seasoned... the only thing I would add is try very hard not to let the fish flop into your chest..that will remove a ton of the protective slime...

[@kylebeaton9814]

“MUSKY CARE 101” This is great Doug

[@stevebachman2249]

Great job Doug. Always informative and explained so well. #Musky Care 101.

[@QubeFishing]

Awesome video as always! Musky Care 101!

[@jakeahrenholtz2873]

Muskie Care 101! Good stuff, great to revisit best practices

[@harrisonmissal6065]

MUSKY CARE 101 - great vid, very informative, as for holding the fish in the water to revive, if the lake is glass and there is no wind moving the water should you still just leave the fishing sitting or trying slowly moving it in circles or something of the like to get water in the gills?

[@obuobu123]

Is anything different when handling big pike?

[@marcsheldon6512]

Nope, same gentle care...no reason to hurt them ....giant pike are fun to catch as well...

[@FishingOD_OFFICIAL]

Musky Care 101 👊🏼 Gonna be sure to follow these tips!

[@LaziFaux]

What's a good handling glove?

[@esoxinator968]

I only been fishing for them for 3 years now and learning lots I'm at the point now where I think I'll just take picture in net then release not even measure

[@gabriellegoes2683]

“MUSKY CARE 101” Great video!

[@TylerNashan]

What net do you use?

[@jeromegorski4560]

Thanks great video

[@JacobSweere]

Great video, hope everyone sees this video!unfortunately to much content out there with Improper fish handling skills. Musky care 101!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Congrats Jacob you won the random draw guide trip on Green Bay. Shoot me an email to figure out the details!!! [e-mail]

[@joshwagner5414]

I made a bump board and used a thick clear coat so that way the wood isn’t grippy or tries to absorb any slime.

[@thomasmarski8392]

Awesome Doug!!

[@derekmellesmoen2742]

“Musky Care 101” Great video!

[@mitchellgenz1373]

Great tutorial.

[@hadenkelly3984]

Musky care 101 great vid

[@bvoeck]

Good stuff!!!!!

[@rabbbrabbb8367]

Musky care 101 Btw this is awesome people need to learn this stuff

[@Dark30Outdoors]

Musky care 101. Good stuff!! 👍👍

[@Adaptiveoutdoors]

Love the video as always doug! Would love the opportunity to learn with you but unfortunately this past year has thrown some curve balls my way and money is tight. Regardless I hope you have a great season and to some day be able to fish in the same boat, as always, I can't wait for the next video! Musky care 101, not only for our next catch but the next generation of musky & fisherman/women.

[@KarenMcTavish]

Thank you!! This is a great resource!!

[@GTFILMZZ]

Musky care 101 Awesome video

[@jameymann4576]

Well...we caught a few muskies this spring while walleye fishing...and I can see we did pretty much everything wrong. Great informational video...and now we know for next time. I kinda feel guilty now 😕

[@mysticreptile361]

We all learn as we go man and we get more education and access to it these days which is great. Sometimes you can do everything right and just have bad luck also. Up the odds. Less criticism, more education. Why I'm a huge fan of Doug's channel. Plenty of great fisherman out there, not enough great teachers.

[@nickwojtow6787]

Had my first unintentional musky catch off a dock tonight. I was not prepared and it was a horrible experience. From my net breaking to not being able to get the hook out to using barehands and handling it too much. NEVER try to catch muskies off a dock for starters. I tried to put the fish back in as quickly as possible. He sank down and was turning over and I thought he was a goner. The. he flips back and is just sitting in the water still. Finally swims around then takes off. You would never think such a powerful vicious fish is so delicate. But they are. People also need to give bass a lot more respect, as much as muskies and walleye etc. Seeing people wrench the mouth of a bass open by trying to lift it then turn the entire body of the fish by the jaw without any support is just ignorant.

[@muskiecj3384]

MUSKY CARE 101 Catch and release forever!!!

[@REPHETIC]

Feedback... what do you guys think about trollers that keep the boat going, essentially drowning the fish as they drag it in, instead of stopping the motor, bringing in lines or leaving them sit, and fighting the fish? This seems horrible.

[@DjRoxsta]

Musky Care 101 🤙🏽

[@claytonbratten6560]

Muskie care 101! Let's catch some!

[@samutecht5146]

“MUSKIE CARE 101”

[@kevinbutts35]

Musky Care 101 - let em go n let em grow!

[@BSchoettle]

MUSKY CARE 101 , for the future

[@benstonefishing]

Thanks for acknowledging the hate/ criticism side of this. Not everyone is going to come into a new sport knowing the ins and outs, and the hate does nothing but push people away from Musky fishing. Great video

[@gonefishn365]

Musky care 101 I want to fishing Doug

[@DannyDare134]

Musky care 101!!

[@cameronmuransky]

MUSKY CARE 101 Would love nothing more than to get my dad his first

[@corkyvanderhaven3391]

11:00 Imagine someone holding you by the head with a bad back. It’ll wreck you. My favorite part, as much as catching, quick surgery we call it, goin to work. Trauma surgeon into action and release. Love, love releasing fish. Makes me feel more proud than catching. We call it out and go into teamwork even with small catfish

[@Timturbos2k]

Musky care 101!

[@justinlanger4887]

MUSKY CARE 101 👍👍