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Posts: 202
| Wow Wow Wow, what a day. Today like basically every day, I found myself headed to the water. Due to a last second cancellation I found myself fishing with my good friend Bob Vandermeer. We were headed out to my favorite late season haunt, Lake St. Clair. As we pulled up to the water our worst fears were realized as we discovered that the entire lake was completely covered in an incredibly dense fog, maybe 100 to 300 feet of visibility. On other lakes that might not pose to much of a problem, however considering that the spot where we had planned on fishing was more than fourteen miles from the launch it certainly made life a bit more complicated. After an excruciatingly long and slow boat ride we finally found ourselves pulling up on our first spot. Since both Bob and I are hard-core members of the proud Musky Innovations Nation we both pulled out pounders and began casting. About fifteen minutes in I found myself sliding the net under a fat 40 incher. A nice start, however nothing near what we came for. Having fished St. Clair my whole life, with a lot of time on the pond in the late fall, I knew that with the conditions the way they were we could be in for something special. About forty five minutes later I saw Bob set the hook yet again into another fish. This time the Monster Mag Musky Innovation Rod was bent completely double. We immediately knew it was a big fish. After a seemingly endless fight I found myself sliding the net under a beautiful 50x24 inch Pounder fish. Following some major congratulations and a few pictures we watched the monster swim back to the bottom. As we were both trying to get our hands to stop shaking, (I still shake on almost every musky my boat lands) I told Bob that no matter what happens the trip was a success since he had just landed his new PR. Little did I know how short of a time it would hold that title.
After a short boat ride back up for another pass we started casting again. Sure enough I hear those magical words come from the front of the boat, “Got One” (Since I guide, I always, no mater what, run from the back, Lucky Bob). Immediately we both see a monster head immerse. However luck was not with us on this one and three headshakes later we had the horrible opportunity to see a 50+ inch fish swim away having just thrown the bait. Still feeling pretty good about things I said it was not a big deal and that we would have another chance. A few cast later a 44 incher came up and blasted a Pounder and did end up in the bag. After that we had a bit of a slow spot going for almost an hour before the next fish. Out of nowhere I hear Bob say “Here comes one,” I looked over and my jaw hit the ground! I watched as he turned the Pounder into the first turn and then ran it away from the fish. Instantly the fish lunged for the bait inhaling almost the entire pounder. Bob then blasted the hook set up and back into her face as I raced for the net. Luckily the fish only thrashed at boat side and ended up in the net in no time. Immediately complete pandemonium broke out in the boat. As we looked at the fish laying in the net we both realized that this fish was not just enormous, it might actually be a record. We decided to get some quick measurements and go from there. As we laid her down on the Musky Bumper Board, again my jaw dropped to see her stretch just past the 55 inch mark and caring a girth easily over 26 inches. After a moment’s hesitation we concluded that she needed to see my Tuffy’s 55 inch live well for a second. After a quick call to Scott D’Eath, Vice President of the MOMC (Michigan Ontario Musky Club) we came to the realization that none of there several certified scales located around the lake were still open this late in the year. Considering the size of the fish, Scott offered to try to get someone down to one of the certified scales located on the lake; however it was going to take some time. Having both decided that it was more important to watch this fish swim away then risk waiting hours for a scale, we decided to get a number of good pictures along with an accurate measurement and let her go. Following some serious measurements she came out to 55.25 x 26.75.
Now I know it is hard to believe that anyone could top that fish however within an hour or so we came close yet again as I netted another monster, a beautiful 54.75 x 23.75. After that, things finally slowed down for the last couple hours with only one more low 40 incher hitting the net.
Overall what a day! Hope to see you all out there tomorrow!
(55.25x26.75 Board Shot [].jpg)
Attachments
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 55.25x26.75 [].jpg (58KB - 219 downloads)
55.25x26.75 Board Shot [].jpg (58KB - 213 downloads)
55.25x26.75 (3) [].jpg (60KB - 218 downloads)
55.25x26.75 (2) [].jpg (57KB - 224 downloads)
54.75x23.75 [].jpg (72KB - 207 downloads)
50x24 [].jpg (64KB - 218 downloads)
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Posts: 1530
| Congrats on a fall beauty |
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Posts: 32959
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Great story and an incredible day, Spencer. Congratulations to you and Bob with 3 over 50 in one day; two that are lifetime beasts for most of us. |
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Posts: 37
Location: Coal City Illinois | Spencer, CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!! Thanks for the blow by blow report during the day and week for that matter. Your living the dream my friend and proving how hard work and persistence pays off when pursuing this top predator of our freshwater lakes!
Can't wait to get out there with you in the days to come!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!
Denny |
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Posts: 458
| Great fish! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Those are some nice piggies Spencer. That is some good guiding! Congrats.
James
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | WOW! incredible day! Congrats! |
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Posts: 383
Location: SE Wisc and Vilas County | great day and great fish spencer |
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Posts: 425
| That is an unbelievable day on the water! Great Job Spencer!!! |
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Posts: 95
| Spencer,
Congratulations!!!! Truly amazing fish and thanks for the awesome story!
Chas Martin
http://www.muskymastery.com |
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Location: Illinois | Congrats Bob & Spencer! Great story! |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Great fish! |
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| Quite a day. |
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Posts: 1530
| thats 1 mile from my computer screen. nice stuff guys. i think your now spoiled a bit huh. |
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Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | Spencer & Crew...
You guys had one heck of an afternoon. Sorry we could not get any one to help with a certified weight for you. I know release was the utmost importance, and wanted to help any way that I could to facilitate weigh and release.
Due to the late time of the year, most of our scales are sleeping for the winter. (Our club season ends 10/31/10) Many of the people who handle them, are up north for the fire arms, deer season opener. I would have driven down there, but was over an hour from you at the time you landed that goliath, and called.
I am working with some folks in Canada, to try and help out for something like that in the future. We have some IGFA certified Salters, which we may be able to loan out to fall anglers, just in case.
Regardless of size or weight, you landed some impressive fish, and should be very proud. Great job landing those beauties, and even better job on the releases.
Best Regards
Scott D'Eath - MOMC Vice President
Edited by Contender 11/13/2010 7:42 PM
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | sshhhh! there are no big fish in St. Clair. Ha Ha Ha . Congrats guys awesome day and those are some real hogs. Mike |
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| Well the michigan darkhouse guys say they should spear LSC because the fish are "stunted", if thats stunted I want to see whats not!!! Nice fish!!! |
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Posts: 1
| When you mainly see these fish in pictures or on videos it is surreal to actually be the one struggling to hold it up for a photo. Now that the shock has started to subside, and I've seen the pictures, I felt it necessary to post my first online comment.
Let me start by publicly thanking Spencer for being a tournament partner, fishing buddy and mostly a great friend. Being old enough to be his father its amazing how much I've learned fishing with Spencer. We have fished together many times that I have been his net man while I had to learn new tactics. This day the rolls were reversed as the student received a blessing. I just hope that I was as excited for him as I netted his 51.5" Indiana behemoth, for it was him, more than me, that was jumping up and down as we landed these fish.
I am trying not to be to syrupy, but let me put a plug in for Spencer"s Angling Adventures. We have talked about the guiding experience and I get a sense of the commitment involved to give clients an enjoyable outing. For a guide that will make every effort to provide a positive experience and help you catch fish, Spencer is hard to beat.
God blessed me, catching these fish, made more special, with a good friend.
Bob VanderMeer
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Posts: 19
| great storey dude wat a day
HUGE HOGS LOVE DAWGS!!!!! :p |
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Posts: 3
Location: Otsego Minnesota | Definately a day you'll never forget. Way to set the bar high!! Way to go and nice job!! |
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Posts: 366
| You know it must have been an awesome day when "another monster, a beautiful 54.75 x 23.75." gets a single sentence in the write up and only one posted photo. All amazing fish none the less, congrats.
Ryan
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Posts: 814
| Awesome story Spencer!Looks like the big rubber prevails once again props to MI for making a kick #$^ product that flat out produces!!!!! |
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Posts: 909
Location: South-Central VA | Great story and photos!
jeremy |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Well done, Spence! |
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Posts: 81
| Way to go Spencer. You have seriously put alot of fish in the boat this year and many big ones. I would ask for some of that luck but with you, I know it's skill..
Congrats and great job.
Dew |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Great story and what an awesome day on the water, congrats dude! |
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