Big Musky Story

Jim took me to a nearby lake that was pretty new to both of us. We launched his boat around 8 am, and then cruised the perimeter of the lake looking for possible fishing areas. One weedy stretch seemed best to Jim, and he suggested that we drift over the area and cast for muskies.

Jim designs, manufactures, and sells his own line of in-line spinners, which he calls Thumper Tails. I tried two models, and settled on a 9-inch spinner with a copper blade and a black tail. I hooked and boated about a 24-inch northern pike. Then I had another fish on briefly - I'm not sure what it was, possibly a bass. I also had a musky follow the lure to the boat - somewhere in the 26-28 inch range. Finally, I felt another tickle strike. All the while Jim was using a 9-inch thumper tail with an orange blade. He had no action.

Jim suggested that we take another pass over this area and I agreed. He changed to the same lure I was using, and had a strike and a follow. Then he saw the tail of a large musky at the surface. My action had died, and I switched to a 6-inch Thumper with a red tail.

We fished a while longer. The skies had been gray with low clouds all morning and now there was a chop on the water. Suddenly I saw a big fish right behind my Thumper Tail. I yelled "big fish" and stopped retrieving the spinner. The spinner sank, and the big fish disappeared - going deeper. In that moment, I thought it would be a follow but no strike, just like happened with the smaller musky earlier. Then a solid strike, and I pulled up. "I got him."

I thought it was a big fish, maybe close to 50 inches. I don't think Jim saw the fish or initially realized what I meant by "big fish." Jim quickly reeled in his line, grabbed the oversized landing net and hustled to the front platform where I had been fishing. The fish made an appearance on the starboard side, and for a brief moment would have been nettable. But it would have been tough to get it in the net so early. I think then Jim and I both realized this was truly a nice fish.

The fish made several strong runs, boiling and splashing the water with each surge. After about 10 minutes, the fish was finally near the surface with its heading pointing towards us. Jim scooped up the beauty and I let out a hoot.

We next focused on keeping this old girl alive. We kept her in the landing net and suspended in the water to unhook her. Then she went to the livewell, while we prepared his camera. The only time she was out of the water was for measuring and photos. The musky had a 22.5 inch girth, which is the same as the waist size of my 7 year-old son!

Without hesitation, I decided to release this magnificent fish. My hand would not encircle its tail as I held it suspended in the water. She gilled and finned, and regained strength. After about 15 minutes, I let her go and steadily she swam off and down.

Wow, what an experience! This was the fish of a lifetime! I have a replica hanging on our wall that I enjoy showing to others. Come on up and see it!