Typically it is not nice to talk about a lady’s weight, but I can’t help but wonder what this pig musky caught on a Tomahawk area flowage over the Labor Day weekend might weigh in a month or two as the fish really start to put on weight heading into winter.
In nearly an exact replay of a 40 plus inch fish caught a couple weeks back, the 47 inch musky that pushed 30 lbs. or more came charging out of the stained water to smack my orange Inhaler inline spinner right at boat side. I had just mentioned how the spot we were targeting Saturday looked like a prime one when the fish emerged from the weed line at around 6 p.m.
The hand-to-hand battle proved intense as some initial head and tail shakes sent water flying at the side of the boat. Similar to last time, the fish was worked around the boat as an unsuccessful effort was made to let give it a bit more line. Working with a short leash, the fish was brought around the boat until it saw the boat motor and made a charge. Seeing what it was trying to do, I managed to turn her head and she headed for a nearby weed bed and began ripping line.
Not wanting to give the fish a chance to wrap up any timber or bust the line on some rocks or other structure, I applied the brakes and brought the fish back around to where the net was waiting.
It all happened so fast it was almost a blur. It wasn’t until trying to lift the fish for a photo following the intense battle that I realized how big she was. I had to cradle the back of the musky with my arm and even let out a little exhaustion grunt as I held her in the air – I was literally spent from the fight.
Some anglers fishing in the area came by to see what they called the biggest fish they had ever seen caught out of that particular flowage. Thankfully they had a tape measure so a length could be determined.
After a few more photos the fish was slipped back into the water where she swam off after a short recoup.
The fish was caught in one of those traditional “good” spots on Tomahawk area flowages this time of year. She was sitting on the edge of a weed bed with the river channel nearby. The neat thing about this fish is it was only the second time I had ever fished the stretch of this flowage. And that is the really cool thing about Tomahawk, as almost every week I’m out exploring new water and it seems the opportunity never ends! Hopefully this musky is just the start of what will be another fantastic fall musky fishing season on Tomahawk area lakes and flowages.
Good luck to everyone heading out this week and coming weekend. Have fun and enjoy your Northwoods water time.