I have been fortunate to catch a few musky over the years, but except for that one I posted about here that i got from the Caney, they all came from up north. The largest I have ever seen, however, was one my daughter had on at Pipestone Lake in Ontario 2 years ago. No fish cradle, average sized net, fishing for walleye, smallmouth, and pike - 12lb test, baby doctor spoon, a medium ugly stick, but thankfully a steel leader. Hit in about 6 feet of water, in May - DURING ice out. She got it up to the boat 3 times. The first time I tried to net it from the front while grabbing the back. Fail. The second I tried bending over and hog wrestling it in, Fail. The third time I sucked it up and tried to gill it. And GOT it, But I was on my knees and it was so long I couldn't get the mass of it over the side. I had the head over the deck, daughter said she thought it was all over, but then the thing went nuts again, Out of my hand and back in the lake. It only lasted a few more seconds after that before finally breaking the line.
This fish was caught and released from that same lake/lodge the summer before, and I think it was the same fish as she had on. Same size, coloration, etc.. (after all I did see it up close and personal). Just broke my heart that I couldn;t get in the boat for pictures for her, but at least we have the memories.
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