In fishing, there were two targets I have always dreamed of achieving. One was to catch a 7 Pound Smallmouth Bass, (which I was fortunate enough to do earlier this year).
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/117855-quest-for-the-7-pound-smallmouth-part-ii/?hl=+quest%20+for
The second target that I dreamed of was catching a 50 inch Musky. I even had a custom made rod built to cast lures up to 36 ounces in order to pursue this goal (they say big lures catch big fish, right?).
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108302-now-scott-aka-shfishinsticks-is-just-showing-off/?hl=%2Bscott+%2Bdoes#entry1181044
In February of this year, my Uncle booked a trip with musky guide Mike Hulbert to fish Lake St. Clair for two days (October 28th and October 29th). My Uncle asked me if I wanted to join him on this trip (since the rates cover up to two fishermen). I am not a big fan of guides, because I think part of the joy of fishing is figuring out where the fish are on your own. Though, I have always wanted to fish Lake St. Clair and the first time on a waterway like this, it would be nice to have a guy who owned a boat that could handle the waves and knew where on earth he was going. So needless to say, I agreed to go.
The trip finally arrived and we met Mike at the launch the morning of day 1. The start to this day was beautiful. The sun was just poking up over the horizon and there was nice crisp cold chill in the air.
After launching, we hit several areas of the lake and spent the next 10 hours casting 15+ ounce lures (I was casting pounders and 2 pounders for almost the whole day). I had one fish follow the lure to the boat just to turn away disinterested and my Uncle had a musky literally jump out of the water to bite the lure that he was pulling up for the next cast. Unfortunately, the fish only grabbed the back end of the lure and missed the hooks. That was it for day 1.
When we returned to the hotel after that first day on the water, I spent the next hour in the shower with just the hot water running on my back (I never thought a hotel would run out of hot water, but apparently they can). My back and shoulders were so sore from casting those huge lures all day (casting that 2 Pounder really did me in). When you fish for musky, you need to check your skirt at the door (which I forgot to do on this day).
The start to day 2 was a little worse than day 1. No beautiful sunrise and Mike told us that we had a 40 minute run across that lake into Canada. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a bad ride, but there were 3 to 4 foot waves rolling across the lake and I thought the ride was rough. We hit a wave so hard that my Uncle was knocked out of his seat into the bottom of the boat and almost hit his head on the back deck. That ride did nothing for my back either (Mike didn’t think the ride was all that rough, but he is used to those kind of boat rides. I take my 14 foot Crestliner off Lake Erie when there is anything larger than 3’s out there so this kind of ride was new to me).
After the boat ride out, we started casting our anvils. An hour into this day, I had a fish hit my lure hard away from the boat. It nearly jolted the rod from my grip (when these fish hit, sometimes they hit HARD). About an hour after that, I had a big fish follow my lure to the boat. While performing my figure-8 the musky swiped at the lure and missed. He then slinked back down into the depths.
Another hour had past with no action at all. That's when it happened. Mike had a big fish follow his lure to the boat fast. He was making a wide turn with his rod on the first pass of his Figure 8 when the fish lunged at his lure only to miss. The fish then started to race away under the boat. It just so happened that I had just finished retrieving my lure at this time and I was also starting my figure-8 maneuver (I was fishing from the middle of the boat by Mike, who was in the back). Before the fish completely disappeared under the boat, she made an 180 degree turn and just inhaled my lure (and when I say inhaled, I mean my lure literally disappeared entirely in her mouth). I set the hook hard and this fish went berserk. She started violently thrashing her head back and forth like a shark trying to rip apart a seal. After the thrashing was unsuccessful in dislodging the lure, she made a power run under the boat to the other side. I had to swing my rod around to the other side to avoid her from wrapping me up. Fortunately, this 10+ ft. rod Scott made me really gave me some reach and I was able to keep the line clear of the motor as I swung the rod around from the middle of the boat. She would then make a huge power surge and I would have to work her back. After about three or four of these power runs, I was able to finally get her close enough for Mike to net.
At that point, we all started to scream and high five all over the place. At that moment, all my back and shoulder pain was gone and I was just shaking with shock. It was just an incredible sequence of events.
Here is a picture of the fish (excuse the goofy grin. I was pumped)
She measured 53.5 inches long and had a 23.5 inch girth.
The whole event took only about 2 minutes, but those two minutes took a trip that could have really been tough and made it a into moment that I will never forget. I guess this is why we fish.
I would like to thank Mike (he was one hell of a guide) and my Uncle for making a dream come true. It just amazes me that I caught the two fish (that SM and this Musky) I have been after for so long in the same year. I guess it has been quite a lucky year for me. Maybe I should quit fishing while I am ahead…or maybe I can shoot for a 15 pound Steelhead…hmmmmm.
