Too deep or too hot....what is worse

[Jim]

Which is worse for the muskie. High surface temps or pulling them from the deep. Trying to make my techiques a little more politically correct... Thanks...Jimmy

[MoMusky2003]

I'd say a long fight in too warm water (over 80 F). I've read a lot about the harm of a prolonged fight, but never anything about fishing one up from the deep. I wouldn't call 40 feet too deep, and I haven't heard of many caught that deep. Maybe I'm missing something.
Louis

[desert fox]

Jim,

If you have time to weed through the deepskis post, there actually is a lot of good information/opinions there regarding deep fish.

Sorry I opened such a can of worms. Maybe I'll use those worms to go fish panskis today!!

[ToddM]

I think warm water is relative to a point. Some lakes are in much better shape at 80 degrees than others. Some lakes may not have alot of dissolved oxygen compared to other lakes. The fish are generally not as active either. Not saying we should all go out and fish the hot water but some lakes can handle it.

[boro]

I think a lot depends on stuff that is out of your control. How hard the fish fights, how deep it's hooked, how much oxygen is in the water.

I will not fish in water 80 or more again. I water released a fish that didnt make it last year and I believe it was the high temp of the water that did it in.


Brian

[BigFishCarlson]

Heat due to irreversible effects...but depth can kill, too, but can be treated if you know what you're doing. Two good things to avoid overall... Mark