September 11, 2024
By In-Fisherman Staff
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Chasing big pike or muskies is a serious game that requires the right tools for the job. With weighty, thrashing specimens that can reach and even push 50 inches, these fish demand respect, caution, and special care for proper catch and release. Plus, on the angler side, there are potential hazards like toothy maws and plus-sized hooks that can go flying during the landing and un-hooking process.
But the tools listed here can make the process or pursuing, catching, landing, and de-hooking big muskies and pike safer for both the angler and the fish. Have a look and outfit yourself for some great late summer into fall muskie and pike fishing!
Baker Heavy Duty Hook Out Baker HooKouT Hook Remover : Pike and muskies often inhale baits, taking hooks deep inside the mouth. The best way to prepare for deep-hooked fish? Carry a jaw spreader (listed below), and a long hook removal tool like this Baker model HooKouT Hook Remover. Constructed of corrosion-resistant stainless steel for long life, it features a right-angled handle that makes it easier to remove larger hooks in big fish, keeping hands far away from teeth with its large hand grips. There’s also an angle-cut tip that makes it easy to reverse the hook penetration angle for a fast and clean barbed hook removal. MSRP: $29.99
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Dhukr Human Dehooker Tool Dhukr Human Dehooker Tool : We noticed this unique, must-have tool at ICAST 2024, where it was introduced for the first time to the sportfishing industry and were super impressed. The inventor, a veteran E.R. tech who told us he had removed literally thousands of hooks from angels near his Marco Island, Florida, home, told us he had been working on a better way for years—and was now finally ready to unveil the finished product, which is patented and going through the FDA approval for use in hospitals and vet clinics, not just by anglers on fishing boats.
Designed to remove hooks quickly and cleanly on the boat, rather than having to run into shore to urgent care, if there’s one tool you buy this year, we’d recommend the Dhukr. Of course, for pike and muskie anglers using big treble-hooked baits, make sure you also carry a heavy-duty wire snipper to remove other hooks before using the Dhukr. MSRP: $59.99
Drifter Musky Net Drifter Musky Net : If you’re out chasing big pike and muskies, the one thing you definitely want in your boat is a long-handled, large-hooped, and deep bag landing net. Used by some serious musky hunters we know the Drifter Predator Series are pretty much best of the best for really big fish. The 5/8- or 3/4-inch hoops are super heavy-duty and reinforced, allowing anglers to pick up to 70 pounds without compromise. And the net handle is also reinforced anodized aluminum with a T-Grip handle for ease of use—and come in red, blue, gold, or black. The net bags are also very deep and coated in a proprietary rubber formula that’s easier on big fish and hook punctures.
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The new Drifter Predator Series Musky nets are available in XL (37- x35-inch hoop with 36-inch-deep rubber-coated net bag for weights up to 60 pounds) and the XXL with a 44- x 40-inch hoop, 42-inch deep, coated net bag and weights up to 70 pounds. MSRP: $184.99-$224.99 .
Fatboy Muskie Bumper Fatboy Muskie Bumper : Looking for a better way to measure big fish than an old seamstress tape or a carpet-sticker bump board that can remove fish slime? The Muskie Bumper FatBoy bump board is built exactly for the task, with 1/4-inch increments up to a whopping 60 inches. It also floats so you can measure fish in the water ensuring a better release.
Constructed of plastic so it won’t rot or rust like some boards—and foldable for easy storage—and available in right- or left-handed configurations. MSRP: $129.99
Joe Bucher Outdoors Magnum 10-Inch Mouth Spreader Joe Bucher Outdoors Magnum 10-Inch Mouth Spreader : Sometimes you have to use a jaw-spreader to extract deep hooks. Problem has been most typical pike jaw spreaders are too small for really big pike and muskies. Joe Bucher solved that problem with his Deluxe Magnum 10-Inch Mouth Spreader, which was designed to do the same job but on bigger fish—and with less damage to the fish. Designed with finger grooves which help you keep the spreader open for extraction of hooks with a long-nose pliers or hook remover. A no-brainer at minimal cost. MSRP: $7.99 .
KVD 5” Precision Split Ring Pliers/Braid Cutters KVD 5” Precision Split Ring Pliers/Braid Cutters : This well-built tool from Strike King does double-duty as both a split-ring pliers and a braid cutter, both tasks that muskie and pike anglers run into numerous times a day, whether it’s retying main line to leaders or swapping out bent or dull treble hooks. Built for long use out of a non-corrosive black metal nickel coating on stainless steel with a spring-loaded safety latch and grippy handles. MSRP: $9.99 .
Shimano Silver Nickel Brutas Long Nose Pliers Shimano Silver Nickel Brutas Long Nose Pliers : If you’re a carpenter, you’ve always got a Stanley tape measure on your hip. And if you chase big pike and ‘skis, best to have long nose pliers handy at all times, besides the hook extractor and spreader mentioned above. One of the best out there? This Shimano Silver Nickel 11-inch Brutas Long Nose Pliers (SLRP11N) that are constructed of high-grade carbon steel and coated twice in silver nickel for increased corrosion resistance and a lifetime of use. MSRP: $19.99 .
