Today was the final day for our fishing contest, so my brother and I decided to give it one last shot, for the mighty muskie since neither of us had tried for muskies this year. The reports we got from Mille Lacs were poor so we tried closer to home, on Forest L. First we stopped at the local creek and caught some bait (7/8″ chubs, golden shiner and small suckers). We arrived at our destination and it didn’t look very good, windy conditions, almost no boats on the water. We were determined to catch something though, so we started slow trolling in 15-25 feet with our live bait. After 5 minutes I had what felt like a crappie or perch bite, it was just strong enough to get my attention so I released line, which went out slowly and steadily. After a few minutes it stopped and I started reeling (not realizing I actually had something on.) It was a steady tension as I reeled but it couldn’t be a fish since it wasn’t even pulling back I thought. As it got closer to the boat I realized it was a fish, swimming towards me. Finally the beast surfaced, a 20 pound class muskie. Couldn’t believe it, seemed so surreal. I was so excited, my first muskie ever. Then a horrible site, as it saw the boat it took a dive and my bait floated to the surface (bait and hook came out since I had never even set the hook). It was so heart breaking. There goes my big chance at a muskie, I was not going to give up though. I threw my half-shredded chub back in, hoping for a miracle, and believe it or not, within about 2 minutes I had another strike. This time I let him have it for a long time- maybe 5 minutes. I finally set the hook and reeled in another muskie, much smaller than the first but still a muskie! A hair under 36″ (about 12 or 13 pounds). How’s that for fast action? Just proves you can’t give up!
The day wasn’t over yet however. After releasing the water wolf, we went to a new location where some huge schools of bait fish were (and of course more muskies). We each missed a nice run within 45 minutes or so, then as we were about to leave, I had another small peck- (don’t be fooled), this “peck” lead to line being literally ripped off my reel. After a long patient wait I reeled up, the tension was there so I set as hard as I could, a much bigger fish on. It put up a heck of a fight. Good thing I had 50 lb. test, this monster was pulling like a freight train, taking out drag effortlessly. It took 4 or 5 minutes to tire him out, and then it just barely fit in the net. 40-1/4″ (estimated at 18-20 lbs.). This fish was so fat and extremely powerful, a real challenge to bring in. A very successful day, must be beginner’s luck. So we had 2 muskies landed, a third that got away and just as many bites… all within roughly 2 hours before sunset. A great way to end the contest.
