The Quest For A 50 Inch Muskie

[Lucky Craft Man]

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 28^th and October 29^th). 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.

[A-Jay]

Congratulations ~ !

 

Truly a Fish of a Life Time.

 

Your recent angling accomplishments have inspired a most deserving and fitting Nick Name.

 

From this point on you'll be known as "Big Fish Steve"

 

Nice job.

 

A-Jay

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Great story!  To catch them and in the same year?  That's a great year .. that Muskie is huge!!!!!!!!! what did you name her?

 

Congratulations!

[SirSnookalot]

Nice Nice fish..............fight was only 2 minutes?

[5dollarsplash]

^{Congrats!  Thats a great looking fish.}

 

^{Part of me tenses up whenever I do figure 8's.  Luckly I've only seen it happen to others, but I've been out with people who's rods gave out when a big muskie takes and charges under the boat.} 

^{I'm sure the fish appreciated the quick capture.}

[SirSnookalot]

I use the figure 8 when I'm fishing for larger barracuda.

[Siebert Outdoors]

WOW!!!!!!  Huge congrats!!

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Hot dam! That's a great fish!

 

LSC has some freaking giants in it!  Any idea how much the guide cost?

[roadwarrior]

Truely a GREAT fish!

[grizzly1654]

That was a great story and even better fish! Congrats.

[AK-Jax86]

Amazing story well written I felt like I was there honestly.

That's a monster fish! Back in NJ I fish a reservoir that had Muskie never caught one but I saw one swimming they are magestic looking fish in the water

[MarkH024]

Very cool! Congrats on your ginormous ski!  Fish of a lifetime, still searching for my 50+ too.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Thanks guys for all the kind words and congratulations. I really appreciate it.

A-Jay,

I think a more appropriate nick name for me would be "Lucky @ss Steve." I have seen the fish you and Dwight pull out and the title of "Big Fish" belongs to you both.

Grizzn N Bassin,

I never thought of naming it, but maybe I should name it after my wife since she did watch our three kids (which are 3, 1, and a month old) for the three days while I was out having a great time. Also, maybe if I name it after her, she would be more willing to allow me to hang the replica that I want to get over the fireplace in the family room :-)

SirSnookalot,

The rods we use for musky fishing are really an overkill when fighting the fish. They are that way to be able to cast the insanely big lures used and to be able to control the fish quickly and get it to the boat fast. The shorter the fight, the better it is on the fishes well-being. Also, musky are known for extremely intense, pee-your-pants, short chaotic fights. They don't have the stamina of say a salmon that will run your drag for 5 minutes straight. Though, if I had hooked her on say a drop shot rod, I would be still fighting her.

5dollardink,

Mike is extremely efficient on the unhooking and measuring process. Mike took the fish out of the water, right to a bump board for a measurement (never touching the rough carpet), then I picked her up for a few quick pictures, and back in the water she went. I think she was out of the water for no more than 30 seconds. That combined with the intense, but abbreviated fight really decreased the amount of stress on her, which was evident with how strong and quickly she swam off once I put her back. Seeing the fish take off in a healthy manner was the best sight of all.

Speedbead,

You have a PM

[SirSnookalot]

 

SirSnookalot,

 

The rods we use for musky fishing are really an overkill when fighting the fish.  They are that way to be able to cast the insanely big lures used and to be able to control the fish quickly and get it to the boat fast.  The shorter the fight, the better it is on the fishes well-being.  Also, musky are known for extremely intense, pee-your-pants, short chaotic fights.  They don't have the stamina of say a salmon that will run your drag for 5 minutes straight.  Though, if I had hooked her on say a drop shot rod, I would be still fighting her.

I grew up fishing Lake St Clair, have a good 40 years on that lake, we docked on the Nautical Mile.  I understand the need for the heavier rod and the stamina issue with them.  Living in Florida now I have no muskie here, but a few other decent fish.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I grew up fishing Lake St Clair, have a good 40 years on that lake, we docked on the Nautical Mile.  I understand the need for the heavier rod and the stamina issue with them.  Living in Florida now I have no muskie here, but a few other decent fish.

Haha...I am giving you an explanation thinking you always lived in Florida, when in reality you could have been the one giving me the reasoning. Sorry about that :-)

[Nice_Bass]

By far my favorite fish and story I have seen on this site.  I always have had a soft place in my heart for musky- and look forward to every fall.

Amazing fish, good length, good girth...that is all I can do to contain my jealousy, however it does motivate me to meet that same goal! 

 

 

I need to get back out on the water now!!

[Grizzn N Bassin]

 I think that is a great idea..  that could go very good or very bad haha.. 

 

are you getting a replica? that would awesome above a fire place!

[Lucky Craft Man]

I think that is a great idea..  that could go very good or very bad haha.. 

 

are you getting a replica? that would awesome above a fire place!

I am definitely going to get a replica made. I figure with it being my first (and hopefully not last) 50 inch Muskie, it deserves to be reproduced. I am just not sure where i'm going to put it though. My one friend made a suggestion that I should get a replica of that 7 lb. Smallmouth and have the musky replica created with his mouth agape and position them on the wall as if the musky is just about to injest the SM. I don't think that is all that bad of an idea, but again, not sure where that would fit.

[00 mod]

Congrats on the banner year.  And to think it is not over yet!!!!!

 

Jeff

[slonezp]

Thanks for sharing a great story

[tomustang]

Way to go and nice storytelling!

Not the downside of reaching a goal is now setting the bar up higher!

[Dwight Hottle]

Hey Steve I just saw this thread man. Welcome to the St Clair 50" club. That is a beast. You were in the right place at the right time with that fish coming in from the guide in the back and diverting to your bait. Awesome story. Check out LAX taxidermy for your replica. They did my pike mount & I would highly recommend them to you. Funny thing I have concluded that a 50" musky is the equalivent of a 7lb smallie in rarity. Two special trophy's in one year. Congradulations.  

[llPa1nll]

Great story, and 2 great fish, thanks for sharing.

[Will Wetline]

Thank you for the excellent account of your muskie adventure.

 

That's a great pic of a magnificent catch.

 

Congratulations!

[Bankbeater]

Congrats!  That muskie is a monster!