Was down at the hydro dam today doing my morning musky and small mouth fishing and I just got done throwing some 9oz rubber baits for musky and then threw a twister and jig head and hooked something crazy big. Thought it was my musky so my friend got the release gear ready and the net and after about a 15 minute fight on 8lb trilene XL on a 6' ML rod. We netted this beast. It was a 28" sucker! No clue to the weight but it was huge! Released it and swam off right away..

I love the unexpected catches like this.

The net doesn't do much justice to the size because most people haven't held musky nets in their hand..

I could be mistaken but it looks like a nice weight grass carp. Weird looking head? I can't really tell just a guess.

Nice carp!!  One of the most under appreciated species out there.

I have a bunch of Rapala lipless cranks that catch nothing. SK Red Eyes, SK Diamond Shads, Yo Zuri Vibes, and Cordell Spots all produce. But the Rapala version? Nothing. I don't know what the difference is, but this is the only rapala that I flat out refuse to fish anymore.

I don't mean to derail the topic, but how does fall fishing compare to spring? I'm guessing they're not quite as aggressive in the fall, but this is the first year I've really gotten into it.

Looks like a solid 8 pounder. This is my wife with her pb carp.

Nice catch..........There is no such thing as the wrong fish if you are recreational fishing.  Many off beat fish give us a better fight than our intended target, some are good table fare and others can be cut up for bait.  I call just about all fish useful and very few if any are "trash", IMO rough fish is more appropriate term.

Cool...nice fish!

I bet that 15 minute fight was fun

WTG! Those fish can put up a fight!

Catch one of those on a mulberry "fly" on a 5wt fly rod and you are in for a good time.

Nice carp I hate when I see carp in lakes/ponds I feel they ruin em

Nice carp I hate when I see carp in lakes/ponds I feel they ruin em

Good haul. I agree with Snook, all's good in recreational fishing. While of course I target bass, I mostly welcome anything that takes a hook.