C&R Northerns thru the ice

[FuzzyGrub]

Still waiting for good ice, but another thread had me thinking about this:

What is the best way to land, handle, and release a northern on the ice? 

-Small pike (say less than 28") just pull up thru hole?
-For larger, my thoughts was to gaff under the lower jaw.  But not sure. 
-If any deep hooks, would cut off and let rust out. 
-I also assume laying lengthwise on the ice, with minimum holding pics, is the best. 

-If the gaf missed and got bellie, I assume a low survival rate, and would harvest.  Correct? 

What are your thoughts?

[corny13]

Gut hooked fish are going to die, Muskie Inc has done some good studies on this... they should be harvested.  It may be a few weeks but they will die.  I dont gaff unless I plan on keeping a fish.  I would put my hand down the hole and grab a gill plate to lift out of the hole.  If its cold do not even take out of the hole unless in a ice house as the cornea of the eye will frostbite and cause later blindness in the fish in a very short period of time. ie even seconds if well below 0 F.   

[turbo 42]

just curious what do i want to start out with if im gonna try and get some pike through the ice i've only pan fished so i have not a clue

[Trigger]

Jig hook with dead or live minnow a few inches off bottom. Works for me http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/STN_Trigger/?action=view&current=Icefishing.flv

[FuzzyGrub]

corny,
I would never have thought that about the eyes!  Thanks.  Freshwater fishing, I haven't gut hooked any, but felt there is fairly good chance with tip-ups and bait.  I haven't got to test the fast strikes yet, so hopefully less chance than letting them run with it for a long time.

Trigger,
Cool video.  I think a camera with hooks would do fine!    Also liked that verticle attack.

Turbo,
Hey, just start reading the threads in this area.  Everything you want to know, is here.

[FishinAddiction]

Still waiting for good ice, but another thread had me thinking about this:

What is the best way to land, handle, and release a northern on the ice? 

-Small pike (say less than 28") just pull up thru hole?
-For larger, my thoughts was to gaff under the lower jaw.  But not sure. 
-If any deep hooks, would cut off and let rust out. 
-I also assume laying lengthwise on the ice, with minimum holding pics, is the best. 

-If the gaf missed and got bellie, I assume a low survival rate, and would harvest.  Correct? 

What are your thoughts?

Well I am sure you will get a lot of oppinnions on this. Here goes mine.
In all the years that I have fished for Northerns I have landed quite few of them from 10lbs to almost 24lbs and only had to gaff one. That was the biggest one. They will usually come right out for you or I will just slide them into the hole and gill them. Most of the time the bigger ones will tire themselves out for you if they are not rushed. Anyway once I get them on the ice I have a 103 qaurt cooler filled with water ready for them when I get the hook out. I will put the fish in and let them rest in there with a airrater or sometimes just fresh water is good for a while, then when they are ready to be released.  I will then take them out, get some pictures then release them. This works great. Especially on those bitter cold days. Never had  any of them not take right off for me. If you have to gaff I will shoot for the lower jaw. This way it will not bleed badly if at all. Give it a shot.

[Hard_H2O]

just curious what do i want to start out with if im gonna try and get some pike through the ice i've only pan fished so i have not a clue

Tip-up, leader or quick strike rig, sucker or large shiner, patience.

[Kyle_]

please do not gaff pike, it is easy enough to grab a big pike by the gillplate and lift it out...no need for gaff

[GAMBELL]

If you are keeping the pike to eat, the gaff is fine (like Kyle, I think there is no need for a gaff).  It is unethical to gaff a fish that is going to be released.  Let the big pike tire out and hand bomb them.  As for fish that swallow your bait, cut off the hook and they will survive. 

[Water Wolf]

Great video Trigger.
Man are those pike aggressive in Adam lake.
I have never see one position themselves straight up and down to strike a lure.
Good choice of music, they do have the eye of the tiger and the temperament to match.

I don't like to gaff a fish eather. Like the others have said grabbing the gill plate is a good method but do touch the delicate gills, also watch the gill rakers, they are as sharp as a pike's teeth.

WW

[panfishman13]

even tho i don't have any pike water near me i've read several articles and think that i may have found a good way to land pike without your hands or a gaff, as i said i am inexperienced in this area so if you think this wouldn't work please tell me how to make it work:

use a long section of nylon rope tied in a lasso and the slip it over a pikes head and behind his gills

as before i would be glad to accept any changes to this idea to find a way to make it work, awaiting replies! -panny

[IceTroll]

The best way I have found to land big northerns without injuring them is a pair of lip grippers. They are large plastic pliers that are designed for grabbing fish by the lower jaw. I bought mine at Cabelas for under $8.00 bucks. A northern will normally open their mouth when they come up into the hole and with a little practice can be grabbed quite easily. If they dont come up with their mouth open you can usually hold them in the hole with their head just out of the water and eventually they will open their mouth. The gripper also aids in holding the fish for a quick picture and quick release. I can even unhook the fish and slide the fish back into the hole tail first and hold it under the water while my buddy can prepare the camera. This keeps the fishes eyes from freezing in very cold temps. Below is a picture of me holding a big northern with the gripper just prior to release.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/Icetroll/Peck200618.jpg[/img]]

[WPT]

Those lip grips are very popular with guides and professionals as it limits the amount of human contact the fish has while out of the water, just don't use it to hold a big fish vertical.  I agree, Muskie Inc. has shown that gut hooked fish probably won't make it, anything less however and the fish will be okay, even if it is too deep or delicate to remove the hooks, just cut the rig.  I don't like laying fish on the ice for any amount of time as their skin and eyes can freeze really fast.  As for methods, I have to say there is simply nothing better than a quick strike rig, and the numbers of good anglers who use them proves that out.

[ebrooks22]

ya if your goin to keep the pike gaff will work fine if not,get its head threw the hole and grabe for the gill plate