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  1. #1
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    A tip for those that catch pickerel by mistake

    I don't fish for pickerel. That said, they are out there and they are faster and more active than bass in cold water. As a matter of fact, I think they can strike even if frozen solid. They have teeth as we all know, and huge jaws. When fishing a crankbait in pickerel water, I have found a method of removing the crankbaits that does a minimal amount of damage to the fish. I break off some thin sticks from brush that grows near the ramp, in lengths from 2 to 3 inches. After netting the pickerel I use a stick to hold their mouth open by wedging it in the front of their open mouth. After removing the hooks I take the stick out and release the fish. I don't like them, but they are one of God's creatures, and they pulled my line, so, so be it.

  2. The dude abides
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    #2
    or do a google search for fish jaw spreader.
    Stay calm...Be brave...Wait for the signs
    Always be yourself unless you can be BATMAN!
    Then always be BATMAN!

  3. Moderator 21XDC's Avatar
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    #3
    We have a ton of toothy critters in Michigan... They are all fun to catch.

    Marks Props 317-398-9294, 1850 East 225 South, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 propellerman59@gmail.com http://www.marksprops.com/index.html

  4. Member
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    #4
    Quote Originally Posted by 21XDC View Post
    We have a ton of toothy critters in Michigan... They are all fun to catch.
    x2
    You should know that in bee tending if you don't shut your trap the bees will get out.

  5. Member fr8dog's Avatar
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    #5
    I keep a 12" piece of 1/2" PVC pipe in the boat. I pry open the gar's mouth and wedge it in crosswise toward the back of the mouth. Makes it easier to untangle flies from their teeth.

  6. Winter can end now..... BoatBuggy's Avatar
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    #6
    I have a set of jaw spreaders but if the toothy critter is under 30", I just lip 'em wearing a Lindy Fish Glove (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lindy-fish-gloves).

    I keep the Lindy Fish Glove close by whenever I'm fishing jerkbaits. I wear it more for handing smallies that have t-boned a jerkbait than I do for pike that have swallowed one.
    2013 Ranger Z520c, 2013 Yamaha 250 SHO
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  7. Mid-West Rally Moderator rudapa's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by 21XDC View Post
    We have a ton of toothy critters in Michigan... They are all fun to catch.

  8. Ya, I Live on Rainy Lake! basscla's Avatar
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    #8
    Jaw spreaders will work better than sticks.....

  9. Mid-West Rally Moderator rudapa's Avatar
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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by basscla View Post
    Jaw spreaders will work better than sticks.....
    Yea easy open and then easy to remove. Too many guys are scared and end up killing cool fish like Musky.

  10. Member drainplug's Avatar
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by basscla View Post
    Jaw spreaders will work better than sticks.....
    This and they are only around $3

  11. Member
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    #11
    Jaw spreaders really work good except I've thrown all mine back in the lake with the fish after I take the bait out.
    Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.

    --Voltaire

  12. Banned
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    #12
    I’ll be the 1st to say it, you guys are a lot nicer to them than I am ....

  13. Member drainplug's Avatar
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by JHelms View Post
    Jaw spreaders really work good except I've thrown all mine back in the lake with the fish after I take the bait out.
    True, true...if you go to Canada better have an extra one! That's what happens when we do the hook removal out over the side of the boat instead of "sliming" the carpet! Probably should make a nylon cord/bobber float wrist loop on next pair...hey, do I see a CLEVER TIPS idea?

  14. Member yanknbass's Avatar
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    #14
    anything that makes it an easier experience is cool with me, more than once pickerel were the only thing I could catch, and was glad to catch them.
    Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.

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  15. Warsaw Warrior JAZZ's Avatar
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    #15
    a cheap pair of Toga grips, the easiest solution.

  16. Member Bassman Ia.'s Avatar
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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by E. Bishop View Post
    I’ll be the 1st to say it, you guys are a lot nicer to them than I am ....


  17. Member
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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Bassman Ia. View Post
    I agree, killing them or throwing them up on the bank is like peeing in the ocean and hoping it will rise. They are just natural predators that are part of the food chain.

  18. Member CastingCall's Avatar
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    #18
    Smaller northerns and muskys I grab across the back, behind the gill covers and use a long-handle needle-nose pliers.
    Bigger ones, a jaw-spreader and slide a hand inside the gill cover along the jaw line... with a cut-resistant glove.
    And all tools have lanyards on them to prevent loss if I lose my grip on the fish.

  19. Member
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    #19
    Quote Originally Posted by basscla View Post
    Jaw spreaders will work better than sticks.....
    I have yet to buy a stick.

  20. young angler 188Musky's Avatar
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    #20
    Quote Originally Posted by billnorman1 View Post
    I have yet to buy a stick.
    Yes you have. They were fancy sticks, though, with handles and hammers and shovels on them.

    I use a small lip gripper to handle smaller esox species.

    One of my vivid pike memories as a kid was catching a 25" pike on a #13 Rapala, while fishing out of a 1-man rubber raft; more of a beach toy than a boat.

    Fishing, seated in the raft, while wearing swim trunks, I landed the pike by grabbing it and holding it in my lap while attempting to unhook it. It flopped, I lost the handle, and it ended up in my lap with a couple hooks barely caught in the tender skin of my inner thighs, a couple more in the rubber raft, and the rest in the pike.

    I then realized that maybe I needed a better plan for unhooking them.

    It all worked out with minimal damage, but I still cringe a bit when I think about what could have happened.

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