I was out on the river this past weekend and the water was like chocolate milk. About two hours into the trip we pulled up to a grass bed along the bank. I made a long cast with a spinnerbait parallel to the weed edge and as soon as the lure hit the water a fish inhaled it. At first I thought it was a huge smallie but when I saw its massive fin come out of the water I knew it wasn't a bass! I was only fishing with 12lb line and a 6'6" med. carrot stix so the fish was taking out line like crazy. Eventually I managed to get it in and netted. I had never caught a musky before so I was pretty excited.

Other than that, I only landed one smallmouth and it wasn't anything special, just a little over 15". It had clearly just finished spawning as it looked like it had just been in a war zone... really skinny, fins and tail all cut up. The musky was definitely worth the trip though!

Congrats, nice fish!  

Great catch.  I have only caught one keeper.  it was 46 inches and 25lbs.

Kelley

Nice. Awesome fish.

I actually hooked into my 1st musky 2 weekends ago, but lost it. My Dad and I estimated it was right around 40". It was a short cast on the edge of a small rock outcropping (thought I was snagged at 1st) and it immediately tried to go under the boat. Got it turned around, but it came up, rolled and cut my line. I was using a medium spinning rod with only 8lb mono, but I think it was partially my fault as I was not prepared for something like that. Next time I will be, and I know it can be done on lite gear under the right circumstances. My Dad caught a 46" on 4lb mono a awhile back.

Nice. Awesome fish.

I actually hooked into my 1st musky 2 weekends ago, but lost it. My Dad and I estimated it was right around 40". It was a short cast on the edge of a small rock outcropping (thought I was snagged at 1st) and it immediately tried to go under the boat. Got it turned around, but it came up, rolled and cut my line. I was using a medium spinning rod with only 8lb mono, but I think it was partially my fault as I was not prepared for something like that. Next time I will be, and I know it can be done on lite gear under the right circumstances. My Dad caught a 46" on 4lb mono a awhile back.

Dang! That' takes some skill to land a fish like that on 4lb mono.

Too cool!

Nice fish, great pic.

8-)

Nice. Awesome fish.

I actually hooked into my 1st musky 2 weekends ago, but lost it. My Dad and I estimated it was right around 40". It was a short cast on the edge of a small rock outcropping (thought I was snagged at 1st) and it immediately tried to go under the boat. Got it turned around, but it came up, rolled and cut my line. I was using a medium spinning rod with only 8lb mono, but I think it was partially my fault as I was not prepared for something like that. Next time I will be, and I know it can be done on lite gear under the right circumstances. My Dad caught a 46" on 4lb mono a awhile back.

Dang! That' takes some skill to land a fish like that on 4lb mono.

It was mostly alot a patience, and a bit of luck. He hooked it right in the corner of the mouth with an 1/8oz Rooster Tail. The way that it was hooked the line did not wear on its teeth much. It ran down river and he had to just keep following it. Just as he got to some shallow rapids there happened to be someone wading there and he asked the guy to hold the boat. Luckily the fish had tired enough and he was able to get it close enough to net it. This whole process took close to 45 minutes.

I'm jealous.

Congrats on your first musky! Nice fish!  ;D

Great job on your first musky!