15 miles on the river and my new PB Pike

[Skunk City]

Had a nice open schedule this weekend so I took advantage of the great weather and spent it covering some new water. Did 7-8 mile float trips both days, picking up today where I ended yesterday. Had the pleasure of "guiding" two first timers in my uncle and kid cousin Saturday and had a blast. Picked up 3 Pike to 32", a slab Crappie, and Yellow Perch and my first ever PR Pickerel. Wasn't big, but my first Pickerel for the hundreds of Pike landed in the river, pretty exciting.

Day 2 started a little later than desired. 6am alarm went off this morning and a quick check of the radar showed rain passing through. Fell back asleep til 9, then headed out. Did another 7-8 miles on a stretch of river I've yet to wet a line in and was rewarded heavily. Ended up with 5 Pike, including my new personal best 39" gorilla. Was getting lots of short strikes on my crankbait, so I swapped on a big spinnerbait and it got hammered first cast by this big girl. Not a long fight, 2 quick surges under the yak and she was in the net. Hopped onto the muddy banks for a solid measurement and a few photos. Oh so close to that 40" mark, but I'll take it. I'm a big believer of being up early/late to catch fish during magic hour, but this one came at 1:45 in the afternoon!? River was crazy low, had to portage around complete blockages twice. Deepest holes held the fish.