Rizzo Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 First off let me say its been a while since I've posted a photo so I have no idea what the heck I'm doing! Can't seem to find the "old way of doing things" (upload a photo to my album etc etc...I can't even find my album!)So for the sake of us computer illiterate people stop changing the site!! Every time I figure something out everything changes! Anywho, got out to Balsam lake this morning for around 5 hours of fishing. Very much a last minute decision to go fishing (like its 4 am and I'm wide awake). Got on the water around 6:30 a.m. Air felt like 100, water was around 78. Got to my first spot and after a few casts noticed a fish cresting on the surface. These fish breaking the surface always end up being carp in my world (at least that's what I tell myself when I can't catch them!. Not this time. That cresting fish made a huge boil and smashed the white spinnerbait I had tossed 10 feet beyond it. After a brief tussle she was in the net. I don't know what it is with me and tiger muskies, but I seem to get a disproportionate number of them. This one measured in at just shy of 46 inches. A personal best tiger for me. Not a good sign...means there have been pike in Balsam a long time. Previous best had been a 42 incher from the upper niagara from around 5 years ago. Naturally we have to have the release shot. After a few minutes the fish swam off...but stayed on the surface. I've seen fish go 10 feet on the surface and then head down, but this one stayed on the surface for a good 5 minutes. Wasn't having any issues staying upright either...looked good, just swimming along on the surface. I stuck around and watched him until it finally took off. Ended up getting a smaller fish a few hours later, but didn't take any measurements (35 inches??)or photos of that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Awesome Rizzo Congratulations on your PB That is one hell of a beauty Loved the release shot!!! can see the stripes clearly Thanks for sharing and again great job!!! Leechman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Thats a nice Tiger. I echo your thoughts on the Pike presence... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeedLine Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Great looking fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispyke Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Way to go !! Hope to be out this weekend ! Water temps have really come up, last weekend they were hovering around 70 degrees. Very pretty looking fish as well...and yes it looks like pike are here to stay....although I have yet to catch one ! BL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slop Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Fantastic account, photos and summary Rizzo. Thanks for putting this together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Farmer Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Congrats Rizzo, seeing all the Muskie pictures on here makes me want to do a little Muskie fishing. May try the upper Niagara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Whoa ! Nice fish Rizzo. Looks like it would have put up a good fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1 Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 congrats rizzo nice fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCTFisher9120 Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 wow, beautiful fish man. A personal best is what it is, a memory and a fish of a lifetime......for now Thanks for sharing, MTBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnsled Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 What an awesome looking fish!! Congrats on the PB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistaredone Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Sweet fish!! Congrats on the PB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Sweet fish!!! Congrats on hauling in that monster! I fished Balsam last year, and was talking to fishnsled about pike in that lake. He told me he has never seen one. Dont you know I go out and land a fair sized one that he took home for dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 nice fish!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 nice going I have not done well on Balsam this year but I did catch my first pike on balsam last weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 You da "Tiger Man." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted July 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 The pike thing is not looking good. I watched a boat that I thought was figure 8'ing a musky, but when I saw them bring it in it was just a hammerhandle pike. I only get to Balsam once or twice a year, haven't caught a pike yet...but if I do its lights out mr. pike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tybo Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Nice fish! Rizzo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Gorgeous tiger, Rizzo! Were you fishing solo? Pretty decent pic if that was the case... I'll be doing Balsam a couple days next week... and would love to get into a tiger like that! My one and only tiger (also on Balsam) was a low 30's fish. My buddy landed a 37" the same day. They have absolutely gorgeous markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 WOW Great fish bud. You have made many trips and were rewarded. Again,nice fish. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 That is a gorgeous tiger Rizzo. Very nice, way to go Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Were you fishing solo? Pretty decent pic if that was the case.. ya I was. I was real happy to get a good picture quickly. In the warm water conditions I wanted to get the fish back in the water asap! It was kind of funny, I had the fish back in the water and I'm trying to grab at the camera to see if I got a good shot! Nearl knocked it off the bow and into the drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehg Posted July 11, 2010 Report Share Posted July 11, 2010 Real great looking tiger musky there. It's too bad there is pike in there pretty solid now, but at least there is a chance at a tiger. That's a great fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johnny Bass Posted July 12, 2010 Report Share Posted July 12, 2010 WOW! Biggest tiger musky I have seen is 36 inches. That is one sweet looking fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted July 12, 2010 Report Share Posted July 12, 2010 VERY nice Roger !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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