Well Boys here she is!! This morning my customer Shawn “Tamed the Beast”. I heard a tremendous ruckus take place as this pike hit his line on the opposite side of the boat. The boil she left on top of the water left me questioning if we should drop the rod and all bail out of the Skeeter!! When we got a look at her the guys were lets say….I BIT EXCITED!! I swear the size of this pikes head when she flared her gils looked as though she could have swallowed a bowling ball!! 
There was honestly only one way that fish was going to come on board, and that was head first in the Frabill conservation series. We had a very close call with what I predicted a nearly 30lb pike a few days ago when she shook……..MY hooks, so that was definately very fresh in my mind. In the fishing biz it doesn’t count til it hits the net and I certainly understand that!!
Well boys this is Sweet redemption and Shawn Pal……You landed a pike of a lifetime right there. The fish measured 46.5 inches and weighed 25.4lbs!! Her belly was loose and had evidently dropped a massive amount of spawn a short time ago. I felt very close and it was evident her stomache was pretty much empty. Scary to think what this fish would weigh with a belly full of eggs or a few full meals in her.
Shawn insisted on a efficient CPR and I’m proud to say she still calls Rainy Lake……..HOME!! A fiberglass replica of his trophy may be in his near future. This marks #6 over 20lbs since May 1st!!
BTW 30 minutes later Shawn also landed a “Dink” 27 inch walleye!! 
Gentleman we’ve did some extra homework this year with Humminbirds Side imaging. The emerging weed lines on the secondary breaks have treated us pretty darn well as of late. IMO these breaks are overlooked by 99% of anglers. In all honesty I’m not sure what these weeds are as they never get to the surface in this particular spot. It could be deep cabbage?? Regardless we’ve worked on top of it and………Well it’s been working pretty good!!
Congratulations Shawn that is a very special fish man!! 
Please gentleman should you be fortunate enough as Shawn today to go toe to toe with such a magnificent old fish take very special care of her. If any case screams fiberglass replication I believe in this day and age this fish simply deserves it. Heck for all we know this WILL be the next 35lb Pike or at least now she has the chance!! 
