Check back for a series on how to tie a Musky Bucktail Lure

Stay tuned for a series on how to tie a Musky Bucktail.

How to weight your musky net.

How to weight your musky net.

If you are fishing alone and have to land a musky it can be a very demanding task to hold the rod in one hand and dip the net in very quickly to scoop the fish. Often the problems source arises from the fact that there is air resistance and water surface resistance when the net hits. Here is a successfully tested method I have used that allows me to net a fish with one hand from the boat using a large net.

1. Buy a can of insulating foam from your hardware store (Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Etc.) Undo the cap on the net handle on both sides and spray this in. Use safety precautions, i.e. gloves, full face mask, old clothes etc. Put a piece of tape over the ends and poke a hole in it. This will allow air in to complete the curing. Also if your handle has a lock button be sure not to freeze it in place. After you take the tape off in a few days it may gooey out so be careful then too, it still needs more curing time. What this process does is gives the handle mass without significantly sacrificing buoyancy.

2. I also unscrewed the loop and ran a cable TV cable through it up to the screw holes. This allows you to have weight in the loop which helps break the surface and dive in deeper. But we are not finished yet because it is oddly weighted. We need something that works like using a Winchester rifle on a horse. And that’s the most important step 3.

3. Weight the handle pole by the back end tip. This allows you to use a balanced lever approach and makes it more maneuverable. To do this I duck taped a metal chisel or two (got from Harbor Freight) to the back of the handle. You can also use any heavy pipe scrap metal you can find. I had initially planned on fixing it inside the handle but never got that far. The secret to this step is to use just the right amount of weight at the back end of the net, an iterative decision process.

This makes for safer fishing also, and a quicker release. PS I cut the net to get a small musky out quicker and you should do this also. Net repair line and instructions are available for sale at Netcraft Inc. website. It’s not too hard to do and you can also weave a new net basket once you learn this also. If you make a net you will feel a sense of nostalgia or a connection to ancient fisherman. I guarantee it. With the latter suggestion you might make your misses jealous of your manly knitting craft.

Copyright 2010 Thomas Paul Murphy

Add weeds to minnow bucket

Keep minnows alive longer by adding some snagged weeds from your lure in the bucket with the minnows. It creates more of a natural environment for them and makes them more lively. Also make sure to follow your regulations regarding transporting bait and curbing the spread of invasive species.

Copyright 2010 Thomas Paul Murphy

QUICK RELEASE ANCHOR KNOT

08/27/2009

Quick Release Anchor Knot:

It helps to tie a quick release knot when anchoring frequently and tying off to depth. This knot greatly speeds up lifting and having it ready for the next place allowing you to move from spot to spot quicker.

Directions:

1. Form a loop from the desired section and run it through your bow eye.

2. Lap the loop under the sections from the anchor and from where you have the end tied off “permanently”.

3. Form another loop or ball from the section of your loop and put that ball in the loop created in step 2.

4. Synch this off tight so that you only have about six inches of loop that you pull to release the knot.

This knot ties quickly and releases easily because the doubled up strand has less friction to pull but enough material to hold fast and tight. It is helpful to keep the sections of rope straight when tying.

Test yours first before relying on it.

I doubt that I am the first one to use this knot, but did think of it myself. If it already has an origin or creator let me know and I will ask for permission and give them a byline.

Thomas Murphy