Proper release of chain pickerel?
Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone knows the proper way too release a chain pickerel causing the least amount of stress. I live in new england and for most ponds i fish around my area around half the time when targeting bass ill hook up on theese beasts. The ferocious bite almost certainly guarantees the hook set too be deeper than most, and in my opinion their jaws are denser than bass species resulting in me having too tug away on the hook too release it. They secreate a ridicolous amount of slime on their bodies making it almost impossible too grip theese guys, and they love too thrash. Basically they are prone too injury once hooked so any helpful tips or links too proper release information on theese guys will be appreciated!
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by Takkunthecat
They are a real pain in the ass, for sure. Every time I’ve tried to secure them in the gills somehow my hand gets cut to shit. A couple times I’ve just cut the line and said screw it. Probably less damage to the fish doing that than trying to secure them and get the hook out.
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by TrueNameAmended
Agreed holding by the gills with this species is a definite struggle. Ive heard wrapping a towel or something like that around them is a good way too grip until hook removal but i dont know if that will remove the slime causing them too be prone too disease or something like that. I usually use a glove too get a grip and let them thrash until i can free the hook.
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by Takkunthecat
Smaller ones are easier to handle, obviously. One lake by me you can go for an hour and catch 10+ of them, one after another. Usually I can secure them without a glove or towel.
However, I got one last summer that was 5+ pounds and once I got it on the dock I knew right away it was going to be a problem, and I just cut it. I hooked him only about 20 feet from the dock so he had plenty of energy left, and wrangling that thing was not happening with just my bare hands. Lol
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by TrueNameAmended
5 pounds?? Sounds like a beast of a pickerel haha smaller ones are definitely easier too handle just have very fragile bodies and without the glove i have too squeeze too get a good grip ive heard them make squeaking noises so i get worried im potentially injuring the thing. The lakes and ponds around here are so overpopulated the species thrives resulting in the average size too be around 2-3 pounds. I,ve hooked up on bigger sizes in the past most times they end up snapping the line themselves. I think from them biting at the line weaking it so when i pull them up it snaps thankfully...lol
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by Takkunthecat
Dealing with lots of smaller northern pike, I've found the best way is to grab them from above, just behind the gills. The key is to grab quickly and firmly...it can seem like you're hurting them, when you grab tightly, but keeping them from flopping and twisting ends up doing a lot less damage. I also use heavy needle-nose pliers, which make popping the hook out a lot easier.
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by tablabarba
Thanks for the advice, i will try the gills again next time i hook up on one. I also use needle nose pliers too remove the hook because of the density of the jaw and the thrashing actually sometimes helps them remove themselves as i hold the hook with the pliers.
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by Takkunthecat
I live in the pickerel zone as well and a pair of small Lip Grips makes a huge difference. Clamp them on the pick's lower jaw and use long needle nose pliers or a hook remover to get the hooks out. I keep my pair attached to my scale so they are always at hand.
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by 5uper5kunk
Now this sounds like the best bet in a safe release! You said small lip grips do they come in different sizes? Thank you for the helpful information ill have too pick up a pair.
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by Takkunthecat
I know that I have at least two different sizes and I think they make three or four.
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by 5uper5kunk
I finally said screw it and caved on one of those fishing gloves for like 15 bucks. Honestly, great investment just to deal with the pickerel. Just slip it on and you can grab them by the jaw without shredding your fingers.
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by Joseph_Fidler_Walsh
Net and barbless hooks. Same way ryou see trout guys do it.
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by coalbass
I treat Esox fish like trout; nice an careful, try to use a net.
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by Azathothoursavior
Hold them belly up. They'll just lie there.
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