58"+ Monster - Hot Water Handling - Boatside Strike
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Giant 58+ Caught on a Pink Day
If you’re a Musky Insider PRO member, you know all about pink days. You know what they are, how to calculate them, and when they are happenin’ this season. You also know that the biggest fish in any lake or river system seem to be way more vulnerable to getting caught on these days.
Well, feast your eyes 👀 on this giant caught during the July pink days by big fish magnet 🧲 Donnie Manz.
Here’s the story in Donnie’s own words . . .
“Seemed like an average night out until I felt this behemoth slurp my bait. ‘This one feels big guys.’ We had no idea it was as big as it was until we laid her on the Muskie Bumper board and I was quite shocked. (58 1/8 x 24.5 were her dimensions) I caught it on a Thorne Bros. 10’ XH Stealth and she ate a Bondy Bait Company lure. 58 is sure getting close to that magic number I’ve been after all these years. Can’t thank James enough for sliding the net under her and taking great pics. I believe these giant fish should be shared with the world. We at least owe them that when we take their picture. Please don’t ask me where I caught it. She is still swimming today.”
We were hoping to find out the date he caught it so we could verify it was a “pink day.” But, since that fish is still swimming, we all know how some musky folks get about these things.👇
Donnie wanted to keep the precise date he caught it close to the vest.🤐 He did confirm it was caught on one of the July pink days between July 21st-24th.
He also shared one other interesting tidbit...
“I am a calendar guy. Certain lakes seem to kick out big fish during the same calendar period year after year. Sometimes it ends up being the exact same date. That strategy definitely helped me boat this monster.”
It sounds like a pretty similar process to how we make our predictions about which lakes are most likely to cough up big ones on pink days for our Insider PRO members. But, Donnie gives a good reminder (especially if you are fishing lesser known waters) that the most reliable data points are your own.
Did you catch any big ‘skies from July 21st-24th? If you did, reply to this email and let us know.
We will be sharing our August pink day predictions with our Insider PRO members this week.
If you’re not an Insider PRO member yet and would like to be, we will be letting some people at the top of the waiting list in this week! Be sure to get your name on the list right here if you want in.
Hot Water Musky Handling with Pete Maina
Did you know we archive all of our previous Musky Insider issues and tip articles
on our website?
We came across a full length article Pete Maina did for us way back in 2019 on hot water musky handling.
Given the weather and water temps lately, it seems like a good time to revisit it.
Here’s some of Pete’s key points to ponder so we hopefully all see a few less floaters out there.
Pete on water temps . . .
In my experience, the mid-70's is when you need to start being very careful to limit handling and time with head out of water. If the top portion of the water column is in the 80’s, it's best to give them a break, and if you do choose to fish, employ water release only.
I should point out that calm, sunny days with no wind will cause false readings where the top foot will read hot. Truer readings are with wind and the lake mixing; a dip in the lake or lowering a temp gauge will tell the story. If temperature is or feels the same in the top 5 feet – and it’s in those ranges care is needed.
Pete on fish hooked high on the hoop . . .
We have some great nets available these days with deep bags that allow for muskies to remain over the side of the boat, horizontal with their head in the water. At times when netting though, hooks can get caught in mesh near the rim, causing the breathing end to be out-of-water. Remove or cut those hooks immediately to get the head in the water and the fish horizontal.
Pete on cumulative factors . . .
Considering eliminating common standard procedures of measuring and out-of-water hold-up photos. Release photos are very nice too and with today’s tools cool underwater photos are an easy option.
There are no exact rules, as fish are individuals and some may simply be tougher, some weaker; some will fight harder and exhaust themselves more than others.
All of the factors mentioned are cumulative; extra handling adds up and in hot water is critical. You might spend 30 seconds removing hooks, 20 to measure, 20 to hold up for photos – one factor without the others and the fish may survive – eliminate as many as possible and consider water release only as temps push towards eighties.
With exception of contests, measuring is an unnecessary activity. Definitely avoid in-boat measurements in hot water; and if measuring is important with a large net bag it’s easy to do in water with a floating ruler.
Finally, too, consider normal humanoid reactions to larger fish: desire for precise measuring and more photos, especially if a personal best fish.
The problem is the older and larger they are – the more susceptible to all these cumulative stressors. Be aware to consider that and as another good reason to give them a break during periods of extended high heat.
You can find Pete’s full write-up right here.
Super Spicy Musky Reel
Cole Lauzon gets our pick for reel of the week. He captured what could be one of the most aggressive muskies we’ve ever seen.
“The fish came up hot on the bait and nipped before Shae sped it up. In the straight to the second corner, she ate but Shae set straight up which is a huge no no.”
“She stayed focused and slapped it right back in… and well you saw the rest….”
“We were very lucky that fish was an ultra crack head, confused, and lined up perfect for the re-entry.” 😂
“Just a hair shy of 50” which would have been back to back for her!”
“Full moon and the first pink day may have something to do with this fish's pure aggression and stupidity.”
Cole reminds us not to give up even after a mistake, you just never know what will happen!
Hats off to Shae for some fast thinking and quick reaction time too.
If you checkout Cole’s full reel, we think you’ll find his choice of music fitting for many your own chaotic boatside moments.
This Week's Mashup:
Mashup time!
#1 –We’re not sure if Cory Koster yelled “timber” before this hookset. But, the caption on his Facebook reel was “I should have worn cleats 🤣🤣🤣”
#2 – A cool shot of Rise + Grind Tackle’s Donkey Tails from our friends at Taps and Tackle. They still got a few left in stock. Get ‘em while you can.
#3 – In Simon Lauzon’s boat they decided to beat the heat by doing some swimmin’ with the ‘skies.
It’s also a cool idea for documenting a catch without removing the fish from the water during periods of warm water.
#4 – Were lovin’ the textures of this rustic mixed media musky made by Brandon DeNormandie, out of Manteno, IL.
He specializes in reclaimed items and re-purposes them into art inspired by the outdoors.
#WantOne
QUICK HITTERS:
–Eagle Lake Musky Fishing w/ Angling Anarchy (Video)
–3 Hour Musky Madness! w/54 or Bust (Video)
–Mid Summer Northwoods Chop Sesh w/ Muskies On Tap (Link)
–Best Green Bay Baits w/ Smith’s Fishing Outdoors (Video)
–Backlash podcast w/ Kevin Pischke (Link)
This Week's Monster Muskies:
Nate Parenteau hit a post-softball dinger with his buddy Sammy when he laced into this 54, smashing his personal best!
How about a 52” as a first? That’s what Kolton Brown did when his buddy Brad Huber took him out in the July full moon.
Taylor Hamel played peekaboo at last light with this clean 49.25” caught on a Red October Tube.
Almost needed a hoist to lift these 54 plus inches of Ottawa River beauty by Jean Leprise.
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