PDA

View Full Version : Muskie Landed


JAB
09-19-2003, 03:11 PM
Got out on the water at 6:30AM, fish on within 20 min. I took a friend of mine who has never really fished for muskie; of course, it was he who caught the fish. But it was my boat, my pole, my rod, and my selection of "spot" - just as much credit to me, right? j/k. Anyway, I'd say weather this morning was IDEAL for muskies.

Ok, ok, what you all want to hear:

41" muskie in about 18' of water; caught on a black coot topraider up top. We were using the wind to drift - I think we were about straight out from the boat-rental when it hit - seems like the lake has a hump there where it goes from 25' up to 15' then again down to 28' before drifting into the trees. Am I right?

Like I said, she inhaled the lure and went crazy, a lot of fun. VERY FAT - I've only landed one myself, so this one really got my friend's blood pumping (mine too!). I think the release went well - at least the monster swam off strong, it appeared, with no support except a gentle push. Water still 68 according to my fishfinder, for those of you who are wondering. We were off the water by 8:15 - buddy had to get back to work. But, I'd say we had enough fun for one day... I was honestly a little "scared" to fish after we boated that one. I would like to have gotten the fish out of the net a little sooner, but I guess that comes with experience right? This was a FAT girl, like I said. I did sacrafice my topraider by cutting the hooks - didn't want to waste time trying to pry them out, plus wasn't too sure I'd be able to keep all my fingers in one piece. Gave the "retired" topraider to my buddy for a souvenir since the only picture is with me holding it (again, wanted to get fish back in water and my friend is much less experienced than even me) - next time we go we can probably replace the trebles if it's not too much of a hassle.

And oh, there were a couple of other boats on the water, so if you witnessed our catch, sorry for all the yelling - sheer excitement, I think you can understand, right?

And one more thing, I know it has caused heated debate, but I did use my 25PH engine getting ourselves in position for the drift, wind was crazy - would have taken forever with troller. NEVER did I go as fast as any 10HP would have maxed out at. Hoping no one thinks less of me? And I think another boat or two still had bigger motors than I that were running - not that that makes it ok for ME to break the law, but you know what I mean...

Sorry this is so drawn out, but what fun is fishing without the stories, right? :) If I can find a way to get the picture scanned, I"ll post it under this thread - anyone else having luck? Have a good one!

JAB
09-19-2003, 03:21 PM
Oh, and about using the 25HP motor... I definitely NEVER would have done it had there been a large number of other boats on the water where I thought I might be disruptive in any way. But, there were even some whitecaps out there, so I thought it'd be ok just this once - and that is the only time I've even turned her on out there. (There's really no reason to defend myself - I broke the rule - I just think honesty is the best policy). I'm going back up to school Sunday, so good luck, again, to everyone! Maybe we'll see each other next Spring!

KevinWakeman
09-19-2003, 05:46 PM
Good Job !!! This lake is loaded. Good decision to cut the hooks, and good decision to have hook-cutters in the boat ! Hope the picture comes out good. A friend of mine was so nervous after catching a 44"Northern in Canada, that when he took the only picture, not only did he cut the head off of his buddy, BUT THE FISH TOO !!! I always take 2, just in case...

Congrats,
Kevin W

dave_goodlaxson
09-19-2003, 06:45 PM
Wow! Thanks for the great report...would love to see the pic when u get it scanned. Incidentally, you can take the film into any Walgreens with a photo lab and have it made into a photo CD in one hour; or, if you have already gotten the film developed, Walgreens photo depts. also have a scanner right there that you can use to scan any print to diskette. I am not sure how much it costs to use their scanner, but I have seen their signs, and as I recall it seems quite reasonable, and I am sure that it would be high resolution quality. Post it when u can, and Congratulations to you and your buddy!

NxtRecordholder
09-20-2003, 12:27 PM
Great fishing report, and GREAT job finding the right spot to fish and lure to fish it! This lake is brutal when that wind gets going, I don't think anyone will tear your head off for briefly using the 25HP.

A couple suggestions I'd like to make: buy one of those kevlar-coated orange gloves for handling fish with teeth. I've even used it to liplock decent sized pike. Although that technique shouldn't be used for Shab muskies, it sure takes the fear out of reaching in to the gill plate of a green musky! Here's a link to what I'm talking about.

http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/product.php?did=-1&cid=0&sid=0&sort=0&sale=0&f=0&sf=gloves&id=1447


Also, keep that camera at the ready at all times! I know it seems like you are jinxing yourself by doing that, but it will allow you to take that time that would have been spent digging up the camera and using it to snap a bunch of extra pictures - all without harming the fish.

Great job on the fish! I hope they stay hungry through Wednesday!!!

fishhateme
09-21-2003, 10:35 PM
Nice Fish Jab - and I would suggest to you or your friend bringing that topraider "out of retirement" and just replace the hooks. It'll take you about 30 seconds with a pair of split ring pliers. When you find a bait that a good fish will eat, fish it until it literally falls apart. I know people who would give their left @3! to get back a bait they lost for one reason or another that has caught large fish in the past. Every bait out of the box - by the same manufacturer, acts a little bit different. If one gets bit, stick with it!

Congrats!:D

JAB
09-23-2003, 04:13 PM
Ok, guys, here she is...

Again, that is MY ugly mug in the photo, but my friend Tony - who had NEVER previously fished for muskies - was the one who caught it. I'm still in awe of our experience last Friday. To tell you the truth, I was downright horrified when the fish finally showed itself and turned broadside along the boat. Of course it was adrenaline, but for a split-second I thought I might have to endure the task of landing (and releasing) the next 50"er from Shabbona. Of course, this was much smaller (41"), but if you can see from the picture, she definitely was FAT, which gives the fish more credit. I don't know if you can tell from the pic, but I vaguely remember the head was disporportionately small compared to the rest of her body. I'm sure she has been eating up all those "Wallie-Flavored Protein Bars" that Shabbona is said to have.

Let me know what you think - sorry I'm probably not holding the fish in the best "picture" position, but I intend to improve on that along with other things, like hook removal, etc.

Good Luck!