livewell size

[yeti]

hi all i'm kinda new at muskie fishin and there is one question that puzzels me. I noticed that the majority of the people on this and every other muskie board i've seen claim to practice catch and release(I do). In my search for the best boat for me i found that alot of guys qualified the boat as a muskie boat partly based on the size of the livewell? that brings my question If we are all CPR guys then why do we even need livewells (to keep suckers in?).just a ? thats been naging at me.

[jlong]

If all you need is a baitwell... your boat choices are certainly NOT limited.

I think people look for a "Musky Sized" livewell for a few different reasons. In the past, most tournaments required transport of a musky to a check point. A large livewell was in the best interest of the fish. Today, however, most good musky tourneys do NOT require transport... so a big livewell is not a major concern.

Other people like a large livewell to "revive" a fish before release rather than just leaving it in the net along side the boat. Sometimes you may want to "transport" a fish from the wind blown side of an island or point to the calm side for easier/safer releasing.

So, is a BIG livewell a necessity? No. But I find comfort knowing it is there if I need it.

I'm sure there a many more uses and opinions.

jlong

[MuskyPippo]

Personally the biggest reason for a larger livewell on a boat which happens to be one of the major factors of the new boat I am buying is comfort to the fish and comfort to you. I now have a 16ft aluminum deep-v and the boat has served it's purpose, but a true musky boat will serve me better.

I have fished with many guides who use Tuffy's with 60" livewells. I would never think of keeping a fish but it comes in handy to put the fish in the livewell and pump it with fresh water after you take it out of the net.
- This way you can clean up (because if you are like me your boat looks like a war zone after a fish)
-Get your boat in control (maybe go to a calmer area of the spot, or if fishing close to shore make sure the wind doesnt ram you into the shore)
-Make sure your picture will be the best possible (unfortunately many of us know pictures come out bad with the sun at your back), calm the fish (the fish in a closed livewell being pumped with fresh water is a healthier release by far) and get the camera ready.

The main purpose I see in it more than anything is for the better of the fish. Obviously the shorter the fish is out of the water the better, and on very hot days a nice dip in the livewell for a musky is very refreshing and makes for a much healthier release which make me happy. My choice for my new boat from my old boat is MUCH more deck space so i don't trip over anything in the way, and a larger livewell. As you get into it more you'll make your own list of things you want in a boat. Didn't Mean to Blab on!
-Phil