The one that got away!

[SpokaneSlayer]

I hit the public fishing area at Silver Lake last night for some evening fishing.  Not much was biting for me but the people fishing for sunfish and perch were doing well.  Well, a lady at the other end of the dock was reeling in a fish and something hit it on the way in.  Only one fish in that lake could have done it.  Tiger musky.  I ran over there and threw my Sammy knock off, a Matzuo hunting dog.  After a few casts, I see a disturbance at my lure and hear a sound that I can only describe as a watery thunk, and my 4 1/2" plug is gone.  I see the fish come up and at the end of my line is the musky.  I fight it for a while, letting it run when it needed to.  Both the lady and another guy are ready to help me land this fish.  Well, all we had is a tiny net.  I lead the fish's head into the net and the guy tries to get his hand in the gill cover.  The fish shakes it's head and throws the lure but I thought the guy had it.  He didn't.    I was so bummed.  Would have been my first tiger.  We got a good look at it and it was easily a 3 footer.  

[BLKBEARKLR]

hey brother be real CAREFUL putting your hands in the gill cover, one slip and it will hit the gills, now we both know that is not a good thing to do to a fish is hit the gills, but the other thing is that those gills have about a 1000 small needle sharp teeth on them and will do a real number on a finger. Just be careful is all I am saying, if you don't get one this year next year we will get you over here with the boat and get one on for you


Joe

[SpokaneSlayer]

Thanks for the tip.  I'm going to get me a bigger net or one of those gripper things.

[Straight Shooter]

You probably would have me the paper.  I remember the Spokesman Review was saying it was only a matter of time before someone landed a tiger from the dock/shore... KEEP TRYING!

[Mike_D]

Also the gill plate is also a bit on the sharp side as well.  The teeth thing makes me run around with a pair needlenose when I'm chasing muskies/pike.