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  Minnesota Multi-Species Fishing Tournaments Forum  General  48 inch muskie ...
 48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 
 7/16/2006 1:44:32 PM
president
698 posts
multispecies.com
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48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 (United States) Modified By president  on 7/16/2006 1:49:08 PM)
QuoteReply
Thursday, July 13th we were prefishing Island Lake and got a very nice muskie.  On the water it measured 48" long with a 20" girth and weighted 22.5 pounds. It is headed to the wall.  I am sure I'll never do that again and it did not want to swim away. We had it in the water twice and kept working it, but the stress of the fight must have been too much.  Maybe it was partly the fight, the warm water temps, someone else catching it before us, who will ever know.  But it was stressed and not making it.  It's a trophy no matter how you cut it. So I will be glad to have it on the wall and to look at it for a long time.

When we took the extra photos and took it out of the cooler it was 47" with a 19.25" girth, but still weighted 22.5 pounds. So that will probably be the numbers sent in with the record. The current IGFA 4 pound test record is 14 pounds. So if we don't miss any of the paper work, it should do it.

We caught it on Island Lake near Moose Lake and it did come on a crappie jig, no leaders on four pound test and an ultra-light rod. It was a gas.  By the way CrappieKing, yes that rod can handle a crappie, it made it thru this big boy.  We were pitching for crappies, when a crappie went for my jig, then the muskie went for the crappie, and the muskie got the hook. I set the hook, and he went to deep water, I really don't think he knew he was hooked until he was already 10 minutes into it and tired. He jumped out of the water twice, throwing himself clear of the water by three feet each time. We kept the trolling motor right over him as much as possible to keep the line away from weeds and stuff and from his teeth.

July13-2006-IslandLake-muskie-48inch-fourlbtest-P1050855.JPG 
We were very lucky considering all the things that could have gone wrong. nicks in the knot or line, a weak spot, the fish not running or rolling, ... But as the saying goes, "you're better lucky than good sometimes". We did everything right and got lucky to boat it.  It's a memory that will not go away. 

I had a great fishing partner and net man, Al from the Bass Express team.  Thanks Al..

Thanks and good fishing..

Douglas Pirila, MMTS President 1999-2006 and Multispecies Tournament Director
Multispecies .com - the Ultimate Anglers home
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 7/16/2006 6:08:28 PM
bassin'Assassin
33 posts


Re: 48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 (United States)
QuoteReply
hey congratulations that is a great catch
i have been hearing about the size of the muskies on the that lake and it has encouraged me to head down there maybe next week and try to land one
on musky tackle.  nice work

team "we get bass"
 7/16/2006 10:03:24 PM
president
698 posts
multispecies.com
1st




Re: 48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 (United States)
QuoteReply

Thanks.  I am still pumped about it.  I am sure there are a lot of muskies there.  Our league record came from there a couple years ago.  It was a 49 incher that Ivan caught and scored.  Luckily he did it on heavier gear and was able to release it.  Heavier, musky gear lets you get them to the boater faster and not wear them down too badly.  That's a good thing. 

Good luck and be sure to send your muskie pic to us.  We'll put it out here too. 


Douglas Pirila, MMTS President 1999-2006 and Multispecies Tournament Director
Multispecies .com - the Ultimate Anglers home
Team "TGIF" - Minnesota Multispecies Tournament Series
Team "Hawg Hunters" - Duluth Area Bass Fishing League
Midwest Fsihing Guides - Great fishing guides in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Outdoor-ventures: resorts, hunting guides, and fishing guides.
Ultimate Angler Challenge - Ultimate Multispecies Fishing Team Tournaments
 7/17/2006 9:28:21 AM
Muskie27
95 posts




Re: 48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 (N/A)
QuoteReply
I would first of all like to give my congratulations and say what a great fish.

I would also like to offer a few reminders to anyone who might see this post or pic and decide to go chasing muskies.

Most importantly if you are going to intentionally target muskies make sure you have the proper gear with you.  This includes heavy pole and line so you can quickly land and release the fish.  Especially when the water temps are as hot as they are now, over stressing the fish is the number one cause of death.  You should also have a sturdy long nose plyer, a jaw spreader and a snips.  All will aid in the quick release.   In addition unless you plan on doing a straight water release (no photo, no picking it up) you should have a net big enough to serve as a live well while you take the hooks out, and organzie yourself for the phote etc.  The fish should be out of the water no longer than say 5-15 seconds.  When it is this hot please consider the water release.  A picture is not worth a dead muskie.

Secondly, if you do decide on a picture please go with a horizontal hold, and not a vertical hold on the fish.  Also, make sure you always use your other hand to help support the weight of the fish.  A one hand hold by the gill plate is a death sentence for these large fish.

Lastly, both the gill plate and teeth are obviously very sharp and can open up a finger or thumb very easy.  Believe me I know from experience many a time.  So it is wise to have a first aid kit, or at least something to stop the bleeding in the boat.

Good luck fishing and please remember these fish are a limited resource and have been through a lot just to get to that size.  Take care of them so they can continue to grow and wreak havoc on those little crappies.  The last thing we want is those crappies to start feeling comfortable out there.

Once again great fish.


 7/17/2006 10:18:09 AM
president
698 posts
multispecies.com
1st




Re: 48 inch muskie on 4 lb test - Island Lake
 (United States)
QuoteReply

Thanks Musky27, I agree 100%.  I know I learned a lot more, and will need a net like you have.  Folks both the fish and the angler fit in Musky27's net.  I know I have a pic to prove it.  I know that if I see another musky tonight, it is photoed in the water and released there too.  Two questions come to mind and since we have a musky nut talking, please let us know:

What kind of net do you have?  Since the net is very important too.

And what is a good measuring stick?  I know that ones I have are seriously undersized for fish like this..

Thanks and good fishing.  Remember if you're not keeping it and we encourage you release it, then do all you can to not handle it or remove it from the water and get her back in the water as fast as you can.  They are a limited and very valuable resource. 


Douglas Pirila, MMTS President 1999-2006 and Multispecies Tournament Director
Multispecies .com - the Ultimate Anglers home
Team "TGIF" - Minnesota Multispecies Tournament Series
Team "Hawg Hunters" - Duluth Area Bass Fishing League
Midwest Fsihing Guides - Great fishing guides in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Outdoor-ventures: resorts, hunting guides, and fishing guides.
Ultimate Angler Challenge - Ultimate Multispecies Fishing Team Tournaments
  Minnesota Multi-Species Fishing Tournaments Forum  General  48 inch muskie ...

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