Guided Muskie Trip w/ my Dad

[dustink]

Was going to do this yesterday, but didn't get the pics off the camera until this morning.

 

Here is the journal entry I penned on Saturday night, after a day of Muskie fishing with my father. Enjoy!

 

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Muskie Fishing with Dad

04.28.07

No fish. I'll start with that just to get it out of the way. For Christmas, we'd got dad a 1-day guided Muskie trip on Webster Lake with Mike Hulbert. Webster is one of the best Muskie lakes around, and I was hoping dad could tie into a hog. Regardless it was going to be a great day fishing, as I hadn't been in a boat with him for over 15 years.

 

 

The day started with dad at my place at 4:00 AM. We had breakfast at the Huddle House in Markle, and some great early morning conversation. Then is was the 90 minute drive to N. Webster. We met Mike at 6:30. He's young (27) and a complete muskie junkie. He said he caught his first when he was 12 and hasn't caught anything else since. He has a huge 2007 Polar Kraft boat that was loaded including a Lawrence 110 fish finder with huge LCD screen.

 

 

We launched and headed onto the lake. They were about 5 other boats already launched. Mike pointed the boats out, and there was a boat from Eastern Ohio, Kentucky, and Northern Wisconsin…all there for the weekend to fish for Muskie. Hard to believe, but Mike said when Webster is on, it's the best Muskie lake he's fished in the country! The lake is stocked by the DNR to control a huge gizzard shad population. The lake doesn't support natural repo (muddy bottom), so the DNR collects eggs every year to keep it going.

 

 

We got to our first spot and started fishing about 7:30. Mike rigged up 2 large suckers and dropped them down – we were in about 27' of water. He then handed us each a rod with a large Storm soft bait – when I say large, it's the biggest I've ever thrown – 10". We began casting, and casting, and casting. I found after about 2 hours, your arm just gives up and quits hurting…figuring you're not going to do anything about it. After about 2 hours of nothing we moved to another spot with more bait fish and set-up again.

 

 

It was nice standing on the casting deck, just talking to dad. About Muskie, about work, about the new baby, new house….just about life. That's what I wanted from the trip.

 

 

About 30 min. into the new spot, the back rod with a sucker starts going off. We pull our stuff in and Mike brings the rod to the front…this fish is dad's. Mike tells dad it's probably a big one (48" +) because it's not running…just sitting there chopping the bait.

 

 

Mike gives the rod to dad, and tells him to crank down, and then set the hook up as hard as he can: "Try to come out of your f*****g shoes" Mike says. Dad cranks down, and pulls up hard….nothing.

 

 

Dad looks puzzled, Mike is mad. He takes the rod and reels up to reveal a missing sucker. Mike's so anxious to catch this big fish he's got the "Muskie quivers", and is really upset it got away…no one's fault. Dad & I get a good laugh at how bad Mike has it for these fish.

 

 

We spend the rest of the day casting and moving. About 8 hours in, Mike said we can stay out as long as we wanted, and he's fine to stay out as long as we wanted. About 3:30, dad said he was done. We headed in and headed home.

 

 

Overall, a great day on the water, and I'm looking forward to doing it again.

 

[zman]

Well anytime spent on the water with your dad is a good day

[bpsbassman]

I've been waiting for this report. Sounds like everything you wanted it to be except for one thing and boy it sounds like you were thaaaaaat close!

That's a great report Dustin, quality time on the water with Dad.

[1leggedangler]

Looks like you had a beaut of a day weather wise and as mentioned any time with Pops is time well spent. Were you drifting suckers and casting at the same time? Not trying to stir up anything as I know your regs are different down south. Thanks for the first Muskie report!!!

 

Cheers,

1leg

[irishfield]

What I'd pay to have the same day Dustin, fish or no fish. Good to see you out with your father after all those years!

[dustink]

Looks like you had a beaut of a day weather wise and as mentioned any time with Pops is time well spent. Were you drifting suckers and casting at the same time? Not trying to stir up anything as I know your regs are different down south. Thanks for the first Muskie report!!!

 

Cheers,

1leg

 

Yes, drifting suckers and casting. Believe Mike said the Regs allow 3 rods per angler......

[Guest mistyriver1]

Was watching for this one....Glad you had a good time with your Dad.

[TennesseeGuy]

Thanks for sharing your day with us.

 

Did Bobby Knight give Dad the sweatshirt?

[Smokey]

Great read Dustin. Thanks and better luck next outing.

[mattyk]

thanks for the report.

[GbayGiant]

That's why they call it musky "hunting" not an easy fish to find, but you did find one and came very close and had a great time with your pops.

[tonyb]

Fish are just a bonus!

 

Quality time spent with your pops isn't something you can put a $ value on.

Thanks for sharing

 

Tony

[Handlebarz]

thats is what its all about taking the time great report and atleast ya had some excitement for a min or so it did look and sound like you guys had a great time please make it a to do everyyear or maybe twice once again in the fall they get nice and fat by then

[Whopper]

Great report Dustin! Glad to hear you and your dad spent some quality time together.

 

 

 

Whopper

[Rich Clemens]

Nice report Dustin. So what if the fish weren't cooperating. You got to spend the day fishing with your dad. I'll bet that was reward enough. Next time you'll get 'em.