Harvest moon

[carl schenk]

Checked the solunar tables and decided to fish through the 1:32 to 3:32am major period. Launched at 10:45 and spent a few hours fishing the same spots that haven't been giving me much action lately.  SSDD. Time of the major came and I headed to the area where I had decided I would spend the "prime time". Worked the area over pretty good before putting on a lure that would enable me to troll shallower than I had been. First time up at the top of my troll I turned the boat to head deeper and my lure got slammed. Knew it was a muskie and began working the fish toward me when it felt like I somehow snagged bottom. Clamped down on the reel and pulled and then realized it was the fish and it was barely budged by my effort. Yeah baby.. Fish bulled away for a few more seconds and then changed tactics and swam right at me and I was able to keep up with it while the line sizzled across the back and the fish went past.. Worked it toward the boat and grabbed the net only to have the fish come to me deeper than I could net and much faster than I wanted . Three times the fish went under the boat and was turned back into a circle toward me. On the last pass under me it was shallower and the line wound up catching on the back corner of my boat. When the line sprang free the fish really put it into overdrive and grabbed about ten feet of line against the drag. Damn. It turns back toward me and I'm stuck with the rod in one hand and the net in the other. As I put the net down to reel the line went completely slack. I'm almost sick thinking that I've lost it when suddenly the line tightens up again and the fish is at the surface ten feet out from the boat. Grab the net and pull the fish towards me and into the net it goes. 47.5" and thick with a big head. Tagged and returned to the mighty Niagara. Something about the pull of that full moon calls me...

[John Jarosz]

Double AWESOMENESS!!...great report, Carl. It looks like you caught the werewolf on the Harvest Moon. Congratulations!!!

[Scott McKee]

Carl, please email me this image.

[Frank Stachowiak]

Way to go Carl.  The NMA's Full Moon Specialist. Was your lure a deep diver???

[Jay Nannen]

Great fish Carl and an even greater report.  Thanks for sharing your outing with us.  I felt like I was there with you.

[carl schenk]

Frank Stachowiak said:

Way to go Carl.  The NMA's Full Moon Specialist. Was your lure a deep diver???

I caught the fish on a depthraider, but kept the line short and the tip up. Not a fan of rodholders.

[John Miller]

Awesome report and very respectful fish Carl. Thanks for Sharing

[Jay Nannen]

Great fish and great story Carl!  You are having an awesome year.

[Josh Ketry]

Awesome!