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Manitoba Monster Greenback Walleye

Catmendo

By Catmendo
in Ice Fishing

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Catmendo

Posted
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On Saturday, December 12th, 2009 another incredible milestone was once again established on the mighty Red River in Manitoba.

I was hosting a first inaugural corporate/media event. The main purpose of the event was to promote industry leading manufactures and their fine line-up of ice fishing products.

It was on day one of the event when one of the invited guests representing "ReelBait" Lures hooked into the largest walleye that I have ever had the privilge of witnessing being landed!

Here's how it unfolded. Jason Matity calls Regina, Sask. home. Jay, as he is often referred to by his friends and colleges, is very well rounded and extremely skilled when it comes to angling. Fishing in one of my many favorite locations on the frozen Red River and with the aid of his old but very trustworthy FL-8 Vexilar, Jason spotted a very large mark just off the bottom. He then proceeded to work the fish with his 1/2 oz. Parrot, ReelBait Redtail Flasher jig. The fish came in and with one solid unmistakeable thud (that only a walleye is famous for) Jason slammed the hook home. For a couple of short seconds there was no response at the other end of Jason's line. Then there was a couple of massive head shakes by the fish and it was "game-on"! Jason let out a yell that he had a very large fish on. His brother Jeff (also from Regina) who is also a very well seasoned and highly skilled angler was quick to come to his brothers aid. Roger Dauner from Ada, MN. who has fished the Red River many times, quickly got into the act to assist. After a lengthy battle which lasted for approximately four plus minutes, the water began churning up and down in the eight inch hole. The entire time the battle was happening, Corely Sweeting a professional videographer from Winnipeg and owner of Rewind Productions, had his video camera rolling. As the monster walleye was carefully being played by Jason it neared ever so closer to the surface. I jumped into the scene, with my Canon 50D and 10-22mm Canon lens. Jeff helped get the monster walleye's head into the hole, then he used great care not to harm the gills as he lfted her out of the ice. All the while my Canon's shutter was clicking.

Here's what I ended up with. Oh ya, because of the shear size of this behemoth 'eye, we all decided the name "El Whappo" was a fitting tribute for this beauty!

Meet "El Whappo"!

This is Jeff Matity as he began lifting her out...

IMG_1580JayMatityjpgJAYMATITY-1.png

IMG_1583jaymatityjpgJAYMATITY-1.png

Here Jeff has a quick pose with "El Whappo" before handing him over to brother Jason.

IMG_1608JPGJAYMATITY-1.png

...and finally Jason Matity, the man of the hour has his turn! This beast measured out at 33 inch's in length, with a mind blowing girth of 25 inch's!!!!

Way to go Jason and a special thank you to all who were there to help Jason land this Manitoba Monster!

As far as we know, no other walleye of this size has ever been recorded being caught live on video. Thank you Corely from the bottom of my heart!!!

IMG_1610jaymantityjpgJAYMATITY-1.png

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Catmendo Veteran

Catmendo

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Glad you all enjoyed and appreciated this incredible moment forever recorded on video. It was a pleasure sharing with you all.

There are a number of things we would have liked to have done different. Unfortunately this could not be accommplished without causing harm or killing this magnificant monster 'eye. We would have loved to have had her officially weighed on a certified scale, once again that was not an option. I would have loved to have had more time to spend photographing her, once again this was not an option. At the end of the day it's all good I guess! For those of us that were there to witness the event unfold as it played out and for those of us who were there to record the event both on video and still photography it was a tremendous thrill. None who were present will ever forget the experience we shared that special day. I'm extremely pleased that it was all recorded on video, for it seems to add so much substance to the story.

Those present that day, all share the very same sentiments regarding the safe release of this Mantioba Monster. Watching her swim and disappear back into the murky depths of the mighty Red River fully revived was truly an awesome sight! In time some other very fortunate angler may hook onto her and enjoy the same thrill we did that day.

May you and your families enjoy and safe and very Merry Christmas this holiday season and may God Bless...

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DTro Grand Master

DTro

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That is just a true hog of a fish!

It’s funny because in the video you hear Stu say something about being a sure 15lbs, then elsewhere Ed mentioned 16lbs, then I read Stu say something about 17-18lbs and I see the description of the video estimates at 18+ laugh

With those measurements 33x25, I would say that fish is over 18lbs, probably closer to 19! I base that on another YouTube video of a 34x20 that was scaled at 16lbs.

What a beaut and true fish of a lifetime!

Congrats

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ozzie Grand Master

ozzie

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wow thanks for sharing Catmendo!!! I look forward every winter to looking at the monster walleyes iced on the Red River from your reports!! Thanks and congrats to Jay on the truly amazing catch!!

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