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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | I started muskie fishing at the end of last year. Ive easily muskie fished over 150+ hours with little to show for it. To be exact, ive had one lazy follow while my buddy caught one our first time out. Ill be the first to admit Im a beginner and have lots to learn. Muskie fishing is one of my passions and you can routinely find me fishing a local lake everynight after work alone for a few hours. Tonight I went out and on about my 7th cast I felt something hit my line that Ive never felt before. I was bringing in a Spankys custom 10's with some speed. I knew it was a muskie right away.
When I got it to the boat I couldnt believe my eyes. It was massive. Easily over 50 inches I couldnt believe how thick its back was. I grabbed my Big Kahuna and failed miserably on the first attempt. The fish went on three powerful runs underneath the boat and I almost clipped my Big Nasty on the trolling motor. I waited a bit to net it again but the fish wouldnt fit in it. I realized then I was in trouble and would need to net it head first. After two more smaller runs I got it boatside again and hit it with the net but failed to net it. The fish went crazy, went on a run and snapped my leader. I watched it swim away with my spankys hanging out the side of his mouth. I was on an adrenaline high for about 20 minutes but after that went away a feeling came over me that I cant shake. I love fishing but I took off for the boat launch right away as the last thing I feel like doing is fishing.
My question is how do you move on after losing the fish of a lifetime. I have spent so much time on the water and even more time reading forums or any other information I can on muskie fishing. It took me about a year to finally hook one. Its so hard knowing I finally had one on ..... and it was huge. Its devastating to know I may have to wait another year to hook into another one. I cant even imagine fishing right now. How do I get over this and how do I find the motivation to fish after this? Im also really worried about the fish since the lure is in her mouth. It was hanging out the side though so I hope shes ok. Sorry for the lengthy post I needed to vent. Texted my walleye buddies and other friends but no one understands.
http://i.imgur.com/LdOqqq8.jpg
Edited by muski_n00b 6/27/2016 8:41 PM
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | I'd quit if you think that after a whole 150 hours of fishing you have already lost the fish of a lifetime, your words.
It's gonna be all downhill from there. It's a tough sport with very few rewards if you only count fish in the net.
PS you should net fish headfirst. And to me, a Big Kahuna together with a nine foot rod is a recipe for disaster.
Good story though. |
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Posts: 310
| It is a bummer, but 150 hours in this sport really isn't a lot. I think the fish knew you were not worthy, yet. |
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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | Not gonna quit... I love muskie fishing. But I see your point. Its just tough knowing more than likely I wont get an opportunity like this for a long long time. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | You need a smaller net for fishing solo. Always net the fish head first.
Plenty to learn yet, just keep casting and enjoy it. The heartbreak is part of what makes this hobby fun. |
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Posts: 299
| I know many guys, including myself that have gone 100+ hours before actually consistently catching fish. With Muskie fishing (actually all fishing) your gonna lose fish from time to time. I just lost a giant yesterday. It happens to everyone but what really matters is how you bounce back from it! I feel your pain but I can promise you if you fish enough your gonna have lots of heartbreaks. That's just how the sport goes! Muskie's are naturally lower density species on most waters and they can be some of the most finicky fish on the planet so be prepared for tough fishing most days. None of us can answer your question. Your answer will come from your actions. Either you quit, move on to another hobby/sport or you pick your head up and get back out there. Most fisherman chase fish cause it's in our blood. We're so passionate about fishing that we truly enjoy time on the water. The best Muskie fisherman are the stubborn guys who don't know when to put the rod down. They just keep casting! If you need a story to motivate you well I fished yesterday. I lost a 50" fish. Was upset and frustrated! I picked myself up and kept casting. 30 minutes later I landed a 51" fish. True story! Never give up if you truly want it! |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | If you will fish alone on a regular basis, regardless whether you go with a lighter (or slightly smaller) net, get a Robo Handle for it and use it. Amazing the leverage it will give you in moving the net around decisively when you need to. If the first fish you ever would have caught was a monster, what makes you think the next one won't be? |
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Posts: 310
| muski_n00b - 6/27/2016 9:09 PM
Not gonna quit... I love muskie fishing. But I see your point. Its just tough knowing more than likely I wont get an opportunity like this for a long long time.
Why not? Give it a few days or so and try her again when the conditions are the same.
Edited by Booch 6/27/2016 9:35 PM
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Posts: 52
| Never get upset over lost fish. 99 things out of 100 had to go right to hook the fish and get it to the boat. Those 99 things are positives with only one negative. A window is open, shake it off and get the next one! |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin |
Stop using flouro leaders and keep fishing. There have been quite a few posts about loosing a big fish due to a failed flouro leader. Unfortunately they have been hyped up enough by many guides and big names in the muskie world that everyone seems to use them now. |
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Posts: 8863
| First thing you need to do is buy better leaders.
Second thing.... 150 hours.
It's long been said, whether it's a hobby or a job or a career, that it takes 10,000 hours to become "good" at something.
When I started out, I had a period of 15 days, guided no less, without as much as a crack at a fish. When you have 150 days under your belt, what happened today will seem trivial.
Third thing...
Easily 50"...
I think we all encountered a LOT of 50's our first few seasons, even in places where they don't live.
You missed a fish. Crap happens.
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Posts: 3
| I would just fish for walleye...... |
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Posts: 770
| need a confidence booster? go fish with a more experienced angler. watch listen and learn. always a confidence booster for me. |
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Posts: 1358
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | Hey man, don't be to hard on yourself. Losing fish is just part of it, losing big fish hurts a little more but again is just part of it. Over the past two season (last year and the year before) I lost something like 27 fish straight (can't remember I have been trying to block it out, and one was a fish of a "lifetime") ..... Until I caught my first 50 at 51.5". But the two straight seasons of all those lost fish I seriously considered hanging it up. I was so frustrated its not even funny. But, lets be honest for a second. If you wanted an easy task you probably would have focused on becoming a more skilled bass or Walleye guy right? But what's the fun in that? Not nearly as challenging or rewarding. So we continue to go out tossing over and over and over until you literally need some type of upper or lower arm surgery (been there). I hate to say it, but that wont be the last big fish you loose, there are bound to be many many more. Hopefully though, you will catch a few in the middle of loosing a few. Helps keep you going. And if you are like me, lose 27 straight and know there is a bright 50" light at the end of the tunnel.
Pick yourself up, get over the feeling and get back to casting as soon as you can. P.S. have fun, its just fishing |
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Posts: 1828
| A few thoughts:
1. Consider how cool it is/was to have such a huge fish hooked up. Good job.
2. Sounds like you need practice netting fish. Fish with a partner! Another way to practice is go bass or pike fishing with light spinning gear and net every fish with your big kahuna. Force yourself to land them head first. You'll get good at it way faster than by only trying it once every 150 hours.
3. It's pretty tough landing big fish by yourself, ESPECIALLY when you've never landed a musky at all. Fish with a partner!
4. I don't think that net is necessarily too big, so long as you are tough and have had lots of practice netting fish. The latter is definitely not the case, so see #2 and #3.
5. I've lost two fish in the last three years due to equipment failure. One leader snap failed (no apparent sign of flaw before the failure) and one line snap (again, no warning signals). It really sucks to leave a big musky bait stuck in their mouth, but I think they have a great chance at throwing it as long as it wasn't deep-throat-hooked.
6. Others disagree but I think 150 hours is a REALLY long time to go without catching a fish. Fish with an experienced partner! and/or try some different water.
7. You could definitely have another good shot at that fish, even this summer.
Where do you live? I might have helpful tips. |
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Posts: 833
| Part of this sport is getting scars. The key is to learn from them and move on. Big lesson here is the solo net needs to be something you can handle on your own as was pointed out above.
I second the above recommendation of going out with a seasoned angler and learning from them. This is a sport where every detail matters and even the smallest mistake can cost you fish. Don't get down on yourself, just be honest about the issues and solve them.
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Posts: 897
| Don't worry about it, you got to enjoy everything except the pics. Happens when you fish alone. I've botched a couple net jobs on big fish...both resulted in broken lures.
I do think you need to look at better leaders. Doesn't look like anything snapped, looks like the crimp failed. Buy Stealth flouro leaders, 130# or greater. |
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Posts: 10
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I've never caught a musky, but I do a lot of snook/tarpon fishing and I lose more big fish than I land. For me it depends on how they're lost. *Cut/abraded leader - "oh well, that kinda sucks."
*pulled hook - "gosh darn it."
*broken/bent hook - "*%@!, *#@%!!!!!!"
*bad knot - possible ritualistic suicide/seppuku. |
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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | Thanks for all the responses and advice.
After sleeping on it and thinking about it all night I've realized I'm more hooked than before. I love casting and there isn't another species of fish in the lake that will give me a rush like that. I've also realized this same exact scenario will play out again if I don't get better with my net. A Big Kahuna is a large net to fish solo with but I made the choice when I started fishing muskies to fish trophy waters so it seems necessary. Everything I've read suggested a Big Kahuna for waters where 50+ inch fish are common. After doing some research on the forums I also ordered 10 Stealth leaders last night. I shouldn't have been fishing with the brand of leaders I broke since I knew they were crap when the same thing happened on a backlash.
Fishing with a partner would be nice but unfortunately it's not always going to happen. It's hard to convince people to come fishing when you know you won't see a fish 9/10 times (not true muskie fishermen). When I go on fishing trips and weekend trips I'm not fishing alone but I like getting out on the water a few hours almost every night (I live on a lake). I'd also like some advice on getting into a boat or networking with seasoned anglers. I know this would improve my fishing ability more than anything and I'm definitely striving to get better.
I live in Duluth, Minnesota. Any fishing advice for surrounding waters would be greatly appreciated. I'll also share the information I have.
I'm going to take the positives from this and use the negatives to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm going out on the dock tonight and gonna get use to moving the Big Kahuna around in the water with one hand. Looking back on it, I was foolish to think the muskie was gonna just hop into the net. I'm looking forward to getting back on the water! |
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Posts: 470
| If you are planning on fishing solo a lot (I do..) you may want to consider the Frabil 9530 for a net. Light, easy to use and handles 50+" Fish no problem.
Other than that, Sucks to lose a large fish like that one, but there will be more. No such thing as a negative experience if you learn a lession from it.
Keep grinding and do your research, you'll be ahead of the curve in no time.
RandalB |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Get your butt up to Vermillion just an hour up the road and learn that lake. |
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Posts: 7
| All I can say is just keep casting! Last year my first hookup of the season was a high 40" fish and my gf botched the net job and it swam off I had the same feeling and was driving back to the launch, then my gf said just keep casting mike I know you will catch one. Zoomed 100 yards down the weed line and no more than 5 casts later I landed a 46"! My bad feeling went away immediately. Then the next day I landed my first 50 by myself with a big kahuna no joke! It will come together just get out on the lake and you will become a better more experienced angler. |
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Posts: 441
| I fish by myself, also. I used the Big Kahuna and switched to a smaller frabill.
It was lighter, but the fish's fins were getting ripped up in the net. They didn't have enough room. I went back to the Big Kahuna, and replaced the heavy bag with a lighter one. I also put one of those pistol grip handles on the net. Both changes made a big difference in being able to swing the net. |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | Get out there and fish. Jeesh. |
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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | I primarily fish Leech Lake and Vermillion. Only waters nearby worth fishing are the St Louis River. |
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Posts: 770
| consider yourself lucky to have lakes like that nearby. I have to travel 2 or more hours to hit the edge of musky territory. |
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Posts: 20278
Location: oswego, il | JakeStCroixSkis - 6/28/2016 11:47 AM
Get out there and fish. Jeesh.
This ^^^Leave the drama out of it. |
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Posts: 92
| no worries. I fish leech almost exclusively and every stinking weekend from june to november. Got to jump back on the horse eventually you will get another opportunity! Thats the way it goes in this sport. its not always about catching the fish its about the hunt for me. Catching is great when it happens and is validation of the hard work you put in to that point. Just enjoy the chase there will be highs and lows thats what this sport is all about!!
Dan |
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Posts: 251
| I second the robo-handle or what ever it is called. A must for fishing trophy waters alone.
And Don't beat yourself up over it. I have netted fish that I should have lost, looked back at GoPro video and said WTF was I doing? It is all a learning experience. As someone else said, you will either decide all of this frustration is worth it or you will find a different hobby. Either is fine. |
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | I can feel your pain, Matt. Thanks for posting this. The feeling of losing a big one when you have her within your grasp is heartbreaking. The fact that you mentioned it here will make it easier and the only thing that will get you past the feeling is time... and more time on the water.
In my experience, the only thing that fades the heartbreak is creating a great new memory or bunch of memories. Some of the ones from 5-10 years ago still sting, but I've learned that everything is exactly the way it's supposed to be. The lost fish have taught me how to be a better angler whether it means buying better leaders, not rushing the net job, checking for nicks in the line guides, buying rods that don't explode on the hookset etc. and all these things have burned me on big fish. More importantly though, these failures have taught me acceptance—something I've found valuable as a muskie angler.
Good luck in the future and keep grinding (with Stealth Leaders). |
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Posts: 400
Location: Metro | Just gotta keep your head high man. I went through a lot of hours of pain before I landed my nice fish. Even my first two fish weren't very big. You just gotta take breaks when stuff like that happens or just do your best to shrug it off. I think a lot of guys on this site have learned to let things go. Musky fishing is a crazy sport and stuff you think would never happen happens. Just keep throwing and reeling. Find some people in your community that fish for muskies and try to get in their boat. Electronics aren't everything but if you can follow a weed edge or sunken island well it will better your chances at a muskie.
all in all everyone is going through the same thing you are they just don't say it. I was definitely in your boat for a long time so I understand. |
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Posts: 1516
| You never get over it. It will haunt your dreams forever or at least till you bag one |
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Posts: 2026
| My advice, go buy a lure that cost twice the amount of retail and you'll be cured...
Seriously, my first 3 fish were trolling fish. 2 were over 50, but the 4th that hit and I lost due to my error felt unreal... the power of the headshakes and runs it made haunt me, but also provide some extra drive to keep at it. I only fish Vermiliion when I'm in MN. It's a big learning curve there. I was at about 150 hours of casting before I hooked up with my first casting fish, with 3 lost fish before it. I would suggest a robo-handle as well for fishing alone. It's helped me greatly since getting it. Good luck. I'll be up there July 6th to 11th if you are free and need someone to fish with. |
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Posts: 25
| I have to second the "no flouro" statement!!! The only leader that I recommend is a single strand steel leader of at least 120 lb test and at least 12" long. I won't even trust ball bearing swivels as they have cost me fish. Personally, I make all my own leaders (you need a jewelry making round nosed pliers, swivels, and wire, look up how to bend the wire on YouTube) and would recommend American Fishing Wire products. Their wire is great and their mighty mini swivels are bulletproof. And while we're on the topic of failing components I won't even use a snap. I make a small loop at the end I tie to my mainline and put a 330 lb swivel at the other end with a Joe Bucher split ring to attach my bait. Well over 400 fish in my boat on that leader and zero failures.
As for getting over it I will say you never will fully. I have several lost fish over the years that haunt my dreams. But that just makes you hungrier to get back out and beat that fish!!! Stick with it, stay positive, and I promise you will get that first fish in the net!!!
Tight lines... |
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Location: MN | Very well put Hammski.
Losing big fish is heart breaking and being your first would make it even worse. My first couple years muskie fishing I don't think I lost one fish. The last couple years I have had a bad case of losing fish and have hooked and lost probably close to 20 and a couple were biggins and it stings. Fortunately I have caught more than I have lost or I think I would be going nuts. Losing fish is just part of the game.
My offer still stands from last year if you want to get out locally. I'd also suggest joining the local Lake Superior Muskie Inc chapter and go to the meetings and get involved. There are a lot of great guys in the chapter that are willing to help you out. |
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Posts: 99
| The Sad Stages of Losing a Fish
http://mysterytacklebox.com/blog/the-7-stages-of-losing-a-fish-2/ |
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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | Getting back out on the water tonight. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. It still stings but atleast I had one to the boat! Positive thoughts. |
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Posts: 9
| Keep at it. I started fishing hard for Muskie in September of last year, dabbled here and there since spring 15. Took me around 150 hours to get my first one at end of April. Next trip out a week later I got another one. Thirty hours later I got my third. Had my first double day on Sunday, a 33" tiger and a 42" pure. Those came after getting skunked for seven hours the previous trip out. Hang in there. |
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Posts: 14
| Things will start clicking and when they do, they will click fast.
my two passions are muskie fishing and waterfowl hunting. My first few years of both where freaking brutal compared to what a typical year looks like now. Keep at it and try and enjoy every minute of it. Eventually things will start coming together for you.
When I think back particularly about waterfowl hunting I can't help but laugh. If my buddies and me shot a freaking goose or a couple ducks it would have made our week... I don't know how we put all that effort in for MAYBE one goose or a couple hen mallards. The same goes for our muskie careers. the first few years where brutal, but we didn't know that at the time. We just kept throwing baits and enjoyed every minute of it. Only now that I have put in 11 years after these fish do I look back and think about how brutal those first years actually where. |
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Posts: 30
| Retie and keep castin!
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Posts: 612
| I've lost far more giants than I've caught and I fish alone a lot, it's average. After 8+ minutes I lost a giant a little while back couldn't believe that fish dropped off after such a fight my wrist was aching. You'll get over it and they'll be other fish to catch. Don't overthink the situation learn what you can and move on. |
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Posts: 36
| Just laugh and go on I have fished for muskies for 28 yrs and have never landed a 50 My best is 46.75" I fish by myself most of the time so I know your pain of trying to net big fish one handed. Just don't give up keep going Remeber this she will be bigger next time you get a hold of her |
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Location: Eagle Lake Vermilion Bay, Ontario | IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME,.....BUT NOT MUCH!!
HERBIE |
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Posts: 1120
Location: West Chester, OH | Andy Myers Lodge - 7/3/2016 7:19 AM
IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME,.....BUT NOT MUCH!!
HERBIE
Post of the year!! |
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Posts: 32
| Its still gotta eat, its not like it moved to detroit so get back out there. |
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Posts: 68
| Over time you realize that catching fish is just a bonus.... just being out on the water is worth enough. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Don't feel bad dude! This is Muskie fishing! It is not easy, but the fish are catchable. Muskie fishing requires a lot of work, time and just plain persistence. Having lost one +50 inch Muskie is no big deal. You have to remember that the larger the fish, the harder they can be to land. Everyone that has fished for any amount of time has lost big fish and probably more than we care to admit. All one can do is keep trying. Muskie fishing can be strange though. One can go a long stretch between fish and then can catch two or three in one outing. Much of the fun is that one never knows what the next cast brings.
Good luck. |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | It sounds like you are doing everything right. You are using good equipment and getting fish to connect. I was frustrated early on when I started and I was out with Jim Murphy once and he told me the same thing. Doing everything right plus time on the water will net you success. It'll come. |
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How Do I get over this feeling.