22 1/2 lb. Monksville Monster

[Donnie Brasco]

Hit Monksville early this am, beautiful sunrise. Water level was down a good 10-20 feet or so, but the boat launch was ok. Launched and fished the timber on the South boat launch side, nothing. Then fished the other side across from the timber in the weeds with topwater, nothing.

Then fished the rip rap on that side with a black/ silver/ purple 6” swim bait and this monster muskie inhaled it. Was fishing with my spinning rod ( G Loomis Pro Blue 7’ ) , Shimano Sustain 6000 reel w/ 50 lb. braid and a 125 lb. test wire leader, which this fish destroyed.

It jumped clear out of the water and made the reel sing, what a sight to see ! My buddy Steve netted it for me. My net now has a huge hole in it courtesy of the musky ‘s teeth and my left hand has nice gashes and cuts from the gill rakers. Blood all over the boat and the fish slimed and thrashed both of us.

Thank God got a few pictures and was a good release as the fish swam off.

Scale tipped at 22.8 lbs.

Missed a few pickerel and a few bass on a topwater frog as well, but got my trophy today, no Skunksville for me !