Fish: Musky
Size: 36 Inches
Lure: Aglia & Dressed Aglia
Size: #5
Color: Silver Blade White Dressing
Angler: Shannon Shepherd
From: Lexington
Country: United States
Drove out to an old favorite place on August 5th that I haven't fished much this year. I walked a ways to an area and approached the waters edge to see this guy on the surface, 4-feet or so from the bank under the shade of a tree. I clipped on a white dressed Mepps Aglia with a #5 blade and launched a cast. I retrieved at a medium speed bringing the bucktail in 6-inches or so below the surface. I figured I could at least get a follow as the lure passed about 10 feet in front of the fish. He showed no interest. I launched a second cast. Bringing the lure in again, it passed about 5-feet in front of the fish. In full-on attack mode, and in an impressive display of power, with a swift kick of its tail, the fish rocketed toward the bucktail and crushed it. I instinctively twisted my body bringing the rod low and hard burying the hook in the fishes mouth. The end of my rod instantly arched and thumped confirming that the treble had bit down hard in a great hook-up. The fish broke the waters surface with fury, the silver blade of the Aglia clinking with the violent head shakes as the fish attempted to throw the lure. Going down, it dove for deeper water peeling the 30# braid off my reel. It swung around in a arch toward shore again as I reeled quickly to keep the line taut. Surging toward my left, it found a small log and attempted to go under. I pulled back hard to steer the fish away testing the limits of the gear I was using, knowing that if he made it under the log I'd lose him. The fish complied and made a run toward deep water again. It made a few more runs and broke the surface several more times. It seemed like the fight lasted forever. Sweat drenched, pulse racing, and heart pounding, I was finally able to get the fish to surrender at my feet. I was able to quickly measure the fish and get a snapshot using the camera timer app on my phone. It measured out at 36 inches exactly. The fish was released unharmed.
Caught at: Clear Fork River
State: Ohio
Country: United States
Caught On: Friday August 5, 2016
