Muskies from a tube

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Doing some research for the picture board on the Float Tubing forum. Thought some of the Utah folks might like to see a pic of a big musky taken from a tube in Italy.[/#0000ff]
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[fonduvfishin]

Is that a tiger? It has the markings(spots) of a Northern and I can see some Muskie in the fins
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[TubeDude]

This is a tiger muskie


One color variation of regular muskie


Another muskie color variation


Northern Pike

[cool][#0000ff]After checking out that picture more carefully, I am of the opinion that the fish is not a muskie at all, but just a large European pike. Pike are native to several European countries and they grow big over there. Records for different countries are usually over 50 pounds.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are some truly huge European members of fish families we also know in the USA. The taimen and huchen are trout that exceed 100 pounds. Zander are walleyes that routinely exceed 20 to 30 pounds. There are also big nasty catfish called wels cats, that once reached 600 pounds but are now rare over 200.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Pictures of wels cats periodically surface on the internet represented as big flatheads taken by noodling in Oklahoma or Tennesee. Here is one of many pictures available on the Internet.[/#0000ff]
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[tomegun]

[green]Hey Pat, Mike at the Provo Sportsman's is an avid Tiger Muskie hunter out of a float tube.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I know for a actual fack that we have several BFT tubers who chase them toothy mothers from inflatable craft.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have taken northerns from tubes, but mostly by accident while fishing in waters they shared with basses and other stuff. I have never purposely gone after muskies from a tube. Not because I have any fear of them, but because they are easy to stress if you fight them too long or do not release them properly. It is too difficult to subdue, control and revive a muskie by yourself, from a tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah, I have heard all the stories about big muskies charging the tubes and either biting a hunk out of the craft (or angler), but I ain't goin' for it. What has happened, more than once that I know of, is large active fish thrashing around and ripping a hole in a tube (or angler) with a set of trebles on the lure.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got no quarrel with those who "shout at the devil". I tend to go with Dirty Harry "A man should know his limitations"...and that goes for the fishing craft you are in too.[/#0000ff]
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[leaky]

Hey Dude,
You may remember my story about accidentally tying into a very large Tiger at Pineview while crappy fishing about 3 or more years ago. At that time I asked how the heck I could have landed him on light line in the tube, remember? Luckily, he eventually busted of on bottom stuff, but I had him up to the tube several times. I'm still wondering! [unsure] I could very well tie into another on my 4-6 lb. line while bass fishing again. I don't carry a gat or a club in my tube, besides I want to release him after a pic. or 2. Maybe when it happens again someone may be around in a boat with a net?
Leaky

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]There are several tigers hooked every year from floatation craft (tubes, toons, etc.). Smaller ones can be tamed, unhooked and released by an individual angler. However, the big ones are best handled by a team of two. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]First of all, if one is going after those big beautiful fish, it is best to have a cradle net to help quickly capture and subdue the fish, and to prevent them from flopping around and injuring themselves or their captors. Quieting them quickly helps reduce the stress that is the biggest cause of shock and mortality among those released. A solitary tuber just doesn't have the right number of arms and hands...or the space...to carry and handle a big fish cradle net.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sure, you can scoop a tiger into a regular mesh bag net. With a fast unhooking and a quick return to the water, many of those fish will survive. The problem, anytime you use a net on a fish, is that it removes protective slime from the skin and leaves the fish more vulnerable to fungus infections and other ailments.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can also use one of the mechanical lip grippers. Better than using the thumb and forefinger, unless you need to lose some weight. If you use one of those, do not lift the full weight of the fish out of the water, unless you need a pic. If you do that, be sure to support the midsection of the fish with a water moistened hand. Allowing the full weight of the fish to hang from the lip gripper can not only damage mouth tissue, but can result in internal organ damage in larger fish with heavy internal organs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That's a lot to remember when you suddenly have a wild-eyed toothy monster attached to a small lure you were throwing for crappies or smallies. Whenever it happens, enjoy the brief time you are in that relationship, because the odds are that it will end soon...and that the fish will arrange the breakup. That is the stuff that makes lifetime memories and keeps us coming back for a rematch. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Our own Aquaman was fortunate enough to land a 28" tiger from his tube a year or so ago. According to him, it fought like a 50 incher. Every one is beautiful and awe inspiring.[/#0000ff]
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