Cradles

[gonfishn]

Just wondering if any one else uses a cradle when catching the bigger fins? I use it when a I have caught a larger than average Gator(Muskie).<br />This allows me to leave fin in water and release em without having them being jerked around in boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Cradles

I've used a cradle for a few years, GF.<br /><br />If you can cradle the fish without getting the lure hooked in the netting it is great. If not. . . well, goodby musky.<br /><br />My son, grandson and I were out on LOTW last month and my son brought a 51"-er to the boat (for you non-esox fans, 51" is the fish of a lifetime). <br /><br />She lunged at the cradle, snagged the lure in it and departed. The cradle is 52" long and the fish got halfway in before depositing the lure in the center the cradle. That's how we figure she was between 50" and 53".<br /><br />Cradle is now retired, bearing the scars of my son's wrath. Gonna get one of those huge, bulky nets like those used by Mehsikomer, Maina, et al.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Cradles

never had to use one here in OK. most fish are not that big. the only ones that i would need one for would be the larger catfish i catch. with those i jsut get them to the top of the water and grab them by the mouth and gills. cant do that with some fish up north though. have lifted a 72lb flathead out of the water and into the boat. lost a little meat off of the hands though. but no have never used one though. do not have to worry about releasing them unhurt. you can fight a big cat for 30 min, haul them in the boat on the 3rd try, step on its head and then bear hug it while your buddy takes the hook out, take a few pictures, have a beer, then release it unharmed. the big cats are tuff. but some times i just eat'm. dont know what the laws are about releasing fish up north where the pike and muskies roam, but i figure they would be great if you had to release unharmed fish.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Cradles

I made a cradle from a picture I saw in a magazine<br />in 95. They are a great catch and release tool.<br />I use it for pike and salmon, even for large<br />lake trout.