Another surprise catch

[TylerS]

Last week it was a tiger muskie on the river, this week its a (unofficial) 48-inch ski on LOW while fishing for crappies with six-pound test. Enjoy!

Duluth angler makes 'unbelievable' catch

[mainbutter]

Looks very much like a 48er on those nose to me in that picture. Beautiful fish and great catch, huge congrats to everyone involved!

Seriously, I'm in awe of just how pretty that musky is. The article mentioned a video, anyone know if it's been uploaded?

[Jmeyers]

and a 27" Walleye... sounds like a good day to me

[smeese]

Sweet!

[TylerS]

The article mentioned a video, anyone know if it's been uploaded?

I found it. Take heed of the "adult" language sprinkled within:

[TylerS]

And his 27-inch walleye:

Another YoutTube vid

[mainbutter]

TylerS, thank you very much for finding those!

[PropsterII]

The ignorance slays me. Hope this fish made it, but I have my doubts. He was in no hurry to take care of it.

[Hoffer]

I dont know if I would call it "ignorance".

I have mixed feelings. I mean there is a lot of adrenaline involved bringing a fish like that through a hole in the ice. Plus, it appears he got hooked in the finger as well trying to bring it out of the hole. That will throw a person off. I mean nobody is going to be prepared for something like that. I didn't like the way he was holding the fish with his hand between the gills...but who knows maybe they snapped a few pics and it was back in the hole right away? If it was December 1 or before - he could have just even kept it - if it was 48 inches or more. But since it was after December 1, I hope it made it back in the lake and is swimming right now. From the videos end - It would be hard to tell either way what happened. Its a cool catch and hopefully all went well after the fish was released.

[RK]

Hiya -

It was on the Canadian side of LoTWs, so he couldn't have kept it either way. LoTWs has a 54" minimum.

I didn't watch the video, but in general I'm a little more willing to forgive some less than careful fish handling in a case like this. It's an excited guy, probably a non-muskie angler, in a situation where he's not at all prepared to handle a fish like this. Fortunately it's also cold water, which is a much more forgiving deal as long as the air temp wasn't so cold the gills would freeze.

I have a lot more patience with circumstances like this than I am with muskie fisherman who should know better roughing up a fish for the sake of a photo shoot.

Pretty nice fish.

RK

[10,000 Casts]

100's of crappies with 13-15" common, 27" walleye and a nice Muskie, sounds like a good day. The drag on the reel was a little sketchy. Hopefully he learns and handles the fish better next time.

[Hoffer]

RK

Your right...I had just read the article pretty fast and saw they were fishing out of Flag Island resort which is in MN. I didnt realize they were out and about - and actually over in Ontario waters. So, yeah that fish had to be released in any case. It was a crazy time for them I am sure. I agree with you - lots of adrenaline flowing, hooks in hands and I am sure it was all a new deal for them. It was a cool fish. You should watch the video - the picture doesnt do the fish justice at all.