One that didnt get away

[Bob Piazza]

Greetings NMA,

Met my US Army son Jeff in Minnesota for some fishing recently. First time we've fished together in awhile. I was Musky casting most of the day at Leech lake, Minn. and had only 2 follows to show for so far. My son Jeff was Walleye fishing while I casted Musky. We drifted off a reef we were fishing hard because it looked so good. Lots of nice looking spots but this one really looked good. 30 feet deep up to 8 feet with nice cabbage weeds. We were drifting in 30 feet water and he said lets troll back to the start in 8 feet so I switched to my Walleye lure, a Bagley Shad in Hot Chartreuse I had already rigged up for Walleye. We were switching off. We started trolling back to the top of the reef when I hooked a fish. It felt like an average fish and nothing special. As I was reeling it in, it suddenly felt heavy and I told Jeff I think something just hit my Walleye. He said "no way" and I said yes it doesnt feel like the same fish anymore. Now it was taking the drag out pretty good and I knew it was no Walleye.... It came up to the surface a ways away and it was a big Musky that hit a 18" Pike that I had hooked and it had it sideways in his mouth. Somehow 1 of the small hooks caught the mouth. Back and forth we went , I had it up to the boat only to have it take off at least 5 times. I had only a 10 lb flouro leader and micro wire leader luckily on this Walleye rig. No horsing him in here. After 2 missed net jobs, Jeff got it on the 3rd attempt after it had jumped right near the boat. An incredible fight and the lure broke apart in the net. The plastic lip with my line tied to it came right out of the balsa wood and was in 2 pieces in the net. Another 5 seconds and it would of been gone. I would say it was a 20 minute fight or so, it seemed like hours. We measured it at 51.75". This fish made up for all the lost fish Ive had in over 55 years. All the bad luck fish have been replaced by this one. We released her and away she went. The best part was catching it with my son as the netman. One story we won't soon forget. The good lord was shining down....... BP

[John Jarosz]

That's on story that will be hard to beat. A BIG CONGRATS to both of you. And nothing is better than catching it with Jeff1

[Tony Scime]

Bob,

Great story!

I had a couple similar incidents over the years. Once in the upper river about 35 years ago. A muskie grabbed a bass I had hooked and wouldn't let go. We tried to net it a couple times but just couldn't reach. Finally let go. The bass lived to tell the tale.

Another time at Lake Nipissing. Similar to your story, hooked into a pike and reeling it in when it suddenly became the mighty hulk! Big muskie, but never got it close to the boat.

Super experience for you to have with your son. Best wishes to both of you.

Tony 

[Stephen Glassic]

WOW!! Bob. What a lucky catch and great experience. What kind of shape was the pike in after that ordeal?

[Bob Piazza]

The Pike came out before I landed it but it looked like it was chewed up pretty good. I was looking for the pike after I landed and released the Musky but couldnt find it as we had drifted down a ways. It was toast I am sure.

[Stephen Glassic]

Maybe it became a meal for another musky.

[Josh Ketry]

Awesome!

[Bob Piazza]

[Bob Piazza]

Got this  reproduction mount back recently from Rick Lax of Wisconsin. This is the fish mentioned in the story above.

[Scott McKee]

Nice replica, Bob! That will keep you warm and fuzzy next winter.

[John Jarosz]

WOW!! Rick Lax did great work putting that story on your wall. I can see you & your son will spend a lot of time sitting in front of it.

[Tony Scime]

Bob,

Great mount! In the 1980s ago we had a Nipissing muskie mounted for my Dad and displayed it in his family room. Years later as his health was failing he still enjoyed telling people that he caught that fish.

Enjoy the memories it brings.

Tony