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Giant Musky Caught!

Tim_Anderson

By Tim_Anderson
in Muskies-Musky Fishing

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Tim_Anderson Rising Star

Tim_Anderson

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Since this is what I consider to be my "home forum"... the one that I spend the vast majority of my computer time on, I thought I would share this story with you fellow musky hounds. We all share a dream of catching that monster, and last night, it happened to us. Hope you enjoy!

My good friend Matt called me Friday afternoon, wanting to go fishing that night. I was just finishing up a guide trip that started early, and decided that I wasn't ready to head right back out without some rest time. So we made a compromise and decided to meet later that night.

Arriving at the lake, I found it to be a little more choppy than I like for night fishing, but whatever... we weren't about to leave without at least giving it our best shot.

I was working my way around a piece of structure, both of us casting at it from all angles, when I heard Matt yell "FISH!" from the front of the boat. I noticed his rod load up... way up, and then heard some big head shakes out in the darkness. And these weren't just any ordinary headshakes. These were the kind of headshakes that spell L E N G T H! I reeled up my bait as fast as I could, and then ran to the front of the boat to pull up the electric motor. And the fish was right there! In the dim light of my headlamp I caught a glimpse of the fish, and then shuffeled back past Matt saying "Geez...it's a big fat bugger!"

I was extending the net handle when Matt says "I'm ready if you are" and I'm thinking "what...you just hooked the beast!" So I said "where do you want me", and Matt says "meet me at the light pole." I stood up on the rear deck, net in hand, and there she was. Matt yelled "NOW!" and I scooped deep when I saw the momentum of the fish headed my way. I'm sure the whole fight took less than a minute.

All I know is, when that fish cleared the hoop and I knew I had her, I started shaking uncontrollably. Good grief...I didn't even catch the fish!

So I started getting everything ready. Tools. Bump board. Cameras. Girthing tape. I cleared the rear deck. By then, Matt had her unhooked.

Matt and I discussed how we were going to do the release shots so we both were on the same page. We had done this before, and both knew that it wasn't going to be easy to hold a fish this heavy for very long. Above all, we both wanted a strong release.

So up she comes and Matt lays her on the bump board. We get her length, and the girthing tape is already under her ready to go. We measure the fattest place. Great! And then Matt kneels down with her and "strikes the pose."

Kinda funny to see the fish start head shaking, and Matt is holding on for dear life, not wanting to drop the fish or lose his hold. He's bear hugging the thing, and getting slimed big time! Then he slides his left hand in place in front of the anal fin, and woops, she unloads her last meal right on his lap and all over the rear deck!

I got a couple of shots with each of two cameras, and then it was time to get her back in. I took first one camera and then the other, hanging out over the side of the boat to get some shots of Matt as he was releasing the fish. And before very long, she started kicking real hard to the point where Matt could no longer hold on.

As soon as she was gone, Matt comes at me with a great big bear hug, and starts war-whooping in my ear. They're still ringing come to think of it.

And you know what, it didn't really even matter what happened the rest of the night. We were both on cloud nine. We continued casting until sunrise, knowing full well that there was not going to be anything to top what we had already accomplished.

So here's Matt with his awesome 55 x 25.5 giant musky. It's the fourth one of this length to come into my boat, and would you believe it...Matt has caught two of them. Congrats Matt! And what a thrill for me to be in on the capture of such a beautiful monster of a fish. Folks, this fish would have weighed 45 pounds...and perhaps more!

matt55x261.jpg

And here's Matt with some really cool release shots...

mattrelease1.jpg

mattrelease2.jpg

mattrelease3.jpg

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bronzeback Rising Star

bronzeback

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what a beast. The picture of Matt's other 55 is still one of my favorite muskie photos ever. Way to go for putting him on those monsters. Congrats to both of you.

Hopefully I can try and set up another trip with you in the next couple of seasons, looks like you're really dialing in this early fall bite.

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DTro Grand Master

DTro

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Freakin awesome!!!!

I felt like I was right there reading that story.

It seemed like you were both in sync and knew exactly what each of you had to do to ensure some great pics and get her back in healthy.

I love fishing with guys like that.

Thanks for sharing and congrats to the both of you!

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AWH Mentor

AWH

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Wow, what a beast! Congrats to both of you. Matt definitely is a big fish magnet. And I know Tim works his butt off to be on big fish. Well deserved on both accounts! Awesome catch and awesome release!

Aaron

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