So there I was......

[shamalex72]

.....going on my fifth hour of fishing this morning, with not so much as a lazy follow. Add that to last nights four hours of the same I was starting to wonder why I was still out here. I decided to hit one last stretch of reeds then call it quits.

I was just "going through the motions", kind of daydreaming. On about the tenth cast I look out and see this huge muskie parrellel to the boat. I must have been in shock because it didn't register right away that it was on the end of my line. It must have engulfed my DC-10 bucktail from behind becuase I didn't feel the strike. Once I came to my senses I set the hook the fight was on.

I got her to the boat pretty quick, but took about three attemps to finally get her in the net. I took a quick measurment and it was all of 49 might even have made 50, definatly my biggest to date. The only bad part was I was fishing alone today so I didn't get any good pictures. Kinda funny, those bucktails don't look so big when there in the mouth of muskie that size.

Here is a shot of her getting ready to go. I sure wish I could have got some better pics.

[MuskyBrian]

nice job...i had the same problem earlier this year with netting/photographing a big girl by myself

[Rebel9921]

Wow beautiful monster!!!! Right now... only guys like me can daydream about them... til we finally hook our first-ever muskies... That pic gave me goosebumps... cant wait til its my turn!!!

[not_nuf_time]

Shamalex, congrats, I was in the same situation last weekend. nobody with me, and biggest of my life to. My tape only goes to 46" and it was about 3-4" past the end, and no pics. I feel for you. But still awfully exciting. But funner when someones with you to slap hands. Also had about a 45" suck up my lure right at the boat but didn't get any hooks in her.

[not_nuf_time]

Ps shamALEX I'm sure it was the same lake you were on

[dippydawg]

awsome!!! I cpr a 48 incher myself today!!! no matter how many I catch the thrill is still there. got pix on a disposable...forgot my digital lol

fishing was mint

[shamalex72]

Thanks guys!

Funny thing is my wife fish's with 95% of the time, but this weekend she went with my parents to pick blueberries up north. She said "you'll probably catch a big one this weekend and I won't be there".I am glad she was right. Thanks again, SHAMalex.

[not_nuf_time]

Avatar use to say Randle did you move further from honey holes?

[chickeywing]

Nice fish! Great choice: A live Muskie and fair picts is much better than great picts and a dead fish. Today, I had a guy cut me off trolling to ask me if I would take a pict of him and a fish. 39.5" Muskie. Not sure how long it was out of the water. The first time he tried letting her go and she went belly up right to the bottom. I had to reach in up to my elboews to get her back. It took both of us about 15 minutes to revive her. He said she swam off. A vanity shot is NEVER worth a dead trophy! Again, hats off! A true sportsman!

TC

[EatSleepFish]

yes, with the warm water temps right now, the important thing is that you got her back in the water!

[Andrew Erickson]

nice fish! congrats

[Peachy]

ohhh that pic is awesome!!! u should frame it!! its so poignant! dang that eye on the fish really got me!!!

[shamalex72]

not_nuf_time, It used to say Fort Ripley. I am actually closer now.