Jim The World Traveler

This is a bit of a continuation from the last entry.  This past Thursday my brother Jim from Switzerland calls me from Atlanta and wants to know if I could take him muskie fishing if he flew in for the weekend.  I figured I could squeeze him in but it would be tough since I was booked on Saturday morning.  Next thing I know I get an email form Jim with a flight itinerary that says he will be in MPLS at 5:45 Friday evening and he wants to go straight to the lake. 

Friday evening we hit the lake for a few hours trying to get Jim his first muskie.  Second spot Jim has a nice fish come hot on his bait but miss it.  We ended the night with a zero.  Saturday morning I had to guide Joe and Collette so I couldn't take him.  So my roommate volunteered to drive a second boat with my brother Dave and Jim.  We shared info that morning as to where we would fish and we both ventured out.  As you can see below we had great success and the other boat had three chances they were not able to capitalize on.  We headed in and decided to rest the afternoon and be back on the water early Sunday morning. 

 

Sunday morning Jim, Dave, and Myself met at the ramp shortly after 6 and were set on boating a muskie or two.  We fished a few spots with no luck, and then that all changed when a giant 48 1/2" muskie grabbed my bait and took off with vengeance.  The battle was intense.  I told the boys after a few head shakes that this was a giant ski.  Jim laughs it off like, "I bet you say that every time!"  Then the fish came to the surface jumping with its mouth wide open and the laughing was all over.  He says, "holy smokes, that is a giant!"  After a nice fight and Jim trying not to drop it out of the net, we were once again taking pictures and high fiveing.  I had this fish on twice before and it never stayed hooked up, so it was time for me to finally win it over.  As you can see these fish are all eating very well.  They are not on the Jenny Craig diet.  They eat like pigs.

After leaving this spot we headed out onto the main lake and with in 10 minutes of fishing our next spot I had a boat side attack from a mid 40" fish but I pulled the bait right out of his mouth.  Rookie mistake but it is very hard to stay calm when one of these giants is attacking at your feet.  We fished the rest of the morning with no more sightings.  We headed in for a bite to eat, a cold one, and a bit of trap shooting.  Come about 5:30 last night the boys were ready to head back out and try there luck again.  Jim was not going to give up until he caught a muskie.

 

The sun was getting low last night and he was still sitting on a "skunk" when it came to the muskies he had caught.  That almost changed when he got a 45-46" fish to eat boat side after it followed right to the boat.  He hooked up, battled it for a bit, and then it tore off.  Jim did not get to land it and take a picture but he can now say that he has done battle with one.  He was very excited one second and quickly disappointed the next when the line went slack.  I held nothing back this last few days, I left it all on the lake.  The fish Gods rewarded me and were good to me as usual.  I would have liked to get Jim his first muskie but I am just glad that we all got to spend some time together on the water.  Jim and I share the passion for fishing.  He is a skilled angler with many years experience.  I look forward to doing it again when he comes to town next year.  

I have to say thanks to all those that I got to fish with this weekend, Joe, Collette, Jim, Dave, Nick (Nig), Dennis, and Eddie.  There were memories made that will last forever.                  

Not One, But Two Trophy Encounters!

Not sure where to start.  But here we go!  Here a few months ago I get a call from Collette and she asks if she could buy a guide trip for her husband to be (Joe) for his b-day present.  So Joe booked it for the morning of Aug. 25th to chase a few muskies on Lake Minnetonka.  

The 25th had finally come and it was time for Joe, Collette, and myself to pursue the toothy critter.  We hit the water about 6:45 Saturday with energy and a good attitude.  Joe made mention that when he goes fishing it is usually "casting" for muskies rather than catching.  I reassured him that I would put him in front of some fish.  I wasn't sure if he would catch one but I would do my best to give him the opportunity. 

About 20 minutes into our first spot and I said out loud, "it's about time we catch one!"  With in seconds of saying that I was hooked up and doing battle with a 45" ski!  After a few nice runs and a good fight we had the fish in the boat.  Got a few quick pics and put her back to fight another day. 

Now that I had made Joe a believer and Collette was in shock of the fierceness of the muskie we were ready to head to another spot.  We continued from spot to spot in hopes of getting Collette her first muskie.  We had a few hours of casting, digging out a few "kids messes", and  laughs but no action.  We were ready to bring some excitement back in the boat.

Pulling into Crystal Bay Joe says, "this bay is full of good spots!"  I looked over at him and told him that I would put him and Collette in front of a muskie or two in Crystal Bay.  Whether or not we would put any in the boat.....ok so I hooked up on this super fat 43" muskie on our second spot in Crystal Bay.  As you can see we were super stoked because the sun had come out and fishing was getting tough.  

Collette had never seen a muskie much less touched one.  She was able to hold the "super fatty" 43" fish until it revive.  Once again it is important to get a few quick photos and get these great fish back in the water.  The fish swam right out of her hand.  It was a pretty cool experience for Collette.  I have to say thanks to Collette and Joe for a great day on the water.  I look forward to doing it again soon.       

True Giant!

Was on Waconia last night for a few hours before dark to do a little bass fishing.  Jeff and I flipped coon tail and milfoil all evening.  We probably only caught 6 or 7 fish all evening but one of them was a real gem.  This 21", 6lb largemouth fell victim to a 3/4 oz Stanley Platinum Eye jig tipped with a Zoom Super Chunk Jr.  When I set back on the bite it was like I was snagged on the bottom.  The fish didn't move.   It eventually came out of the grass and I was able to land it.  This was a true giant.  Lake Waconia can kick fish like this out at any time.   

The Bite Is On!

First day this year chasing the toothy critters really payed off for Bill, Al, and Virgil.  This is Virgil's first ever muskie and it measured 41".  This was the third muskie that Virgil had a chance at.  The first two didn't cooperate (got off) as well as this fish.  

Al was also able to catch his first ever muskie.  This healthy fish measured 43 1/2" and went wild next to the boat.  All together we saw over 10 muskies had 5 on and boated 2.  I think the fish God was looking down on us today.  I think they said a few extra prayers last night.  The fish were every where.  Everyone in the boat had at least one chance.  It was a great day on the water with some great guys.  Thanks Al, Bill, and Virgil for a trip I will never forget.  Until next time, Fish On!