panfisher

Mostlymuskies......or anyone who might know....Never targeted muskies but have seen a HUGE one slowly swim directly under our boat in about 10-12fow close to shore while smallie fishing in Chautauqua. This big old bruiser seemed like he owned the lake and was out for a morning cruise around his lake. The water was clear and wind calm. I stuck my 61/2 ft ultralite bass outfit down into the water in an attempt to possibly touch this massive fish (he had to be at least 50" and the color of Ivan's dad's fish). It did not even flinch and bisected the boat (we were facing perpendicular to the east shore near Dewittville) and easily kept cruising to the south. Like a submarine. We did notice plenty of scars from fishing encounters around the head and mouth area.....and was wondering.... These big old fish probably run into hooks a lot and I'll bet the blinded eyes are fairly common. I'm imagining some fish may completely lose their eyesight.....from fishing incidents. Maybe that is a mortal injury for those big ones as far as feeding itself is concerned. I know they have the lateral lines, as all fish do. But it seems it would be very hard to keep itself fed regularly if completely blinded. Any thought or knowledge of that?

Just an uneducated idea....... not to argue. Hopefully an ichthyologist of sorts with good knowledge of fish dentistry could enlighten further.....Seems that sharks, especially those species with really major shark teeth..... faces with row fulls of sharp, cutting, tearing daggers....like bull sharks....are more apt to do the "de-body-ing" often witnessed by saltwater fisherman when their catch is encountered by a hungry shark. Perhaps barracuda, with back teeth like sharks, would do similar damage. But freshwater esocidae, they look kind of like barracuda, but their pointed teeth do not look like they are made for cutting and tearing; more like sticking and poking holes. They do not have a row set-up of "knife tips" which makes biting off the most of a fleshy body easy. Seems like a pike will be able to hold onto prey at the end of the line longer until they open their mouths and let it go. As seen when a pike ambushes a fish being reeled in until it's invariably let go. You'll reel in a fish with tooth marks ripped along the sides. more like deep scratches. Not a severed body head when a shark or 'cuda attacks. Also, the strength and bite pressure a shark could apply might be better than an esox. Maybe a big headed male salmonid with its big pointy teeth can make a nice mess of a smaller catch....but not like a sharks bite.....

......Oh, and BTW....

NNniiiiiiicee!! Beautiful baby!!

Not participating (out of town), but can't way to see the results and reports.....!!

NNnniiiiiiccceeee!!!!..... 'bout time.. ! Now, let's see how long it stays up there. This year, that weight is way up there..... Nice fish!

Looks like Daffy was not the only one to have low luck......

Rainbow Kid......really Nnniiiiiiccee!!

Please get me another bucket of buttered popcorn..... Does this theater serve beer? I love movies, but this "reality" show is just making me hungry. BTW.....any of u guys that like to pot shot even get out to do some fishing, in the way that u say u prefer, this weekend at all.....? Catch anything besides a cold.......? Tried myself to get out yesterday but got snagged into doing other stuff. Had to go pick up some retail items and ran into a stranger.....had a conversation about fishing (of course) and was tipped to some new access locations to check out for some different angles on some rivers. Already checking some of that out online......fish on!

Say, I could really use some fresh popcorn this morning for breakfast.... ...Glad this thread is not dead yet. I'll say I'm glad we are all good and sensitive and serious and fun loving fish catching folk. I'm with those who think trolling is relatively boring but also a great way to locate spread out fish. Perfect for kings in big water. And sometimes for smallies too. And for walleyes, which of course taste much better than the fight....good! Jigging for lakers is really a hoot, as trolling does not do them justice. Except maybe for some of the really big old ones up in the big lakes of northwestern Canada, which I have never experienced. Flyrodding for largemouths, sunnies and stream trout is a blast! I like watching and feeling large carp carry away with power your corn or bread offering off the bottom, causing you to run and grab your staked pole before it gets dragged into the drink...who needs bells or chimes? Oh, and did I mention that walleyes at dusk next to shore on topwater offerings is a blast.....? The beauty of brightly colored arctic char is something to behold. I've never fished the St. Lawrence tribs for big Atlantics but sounds like they would be great. Here's one... the DEC has been, and successfully so, at work re-establishing the once native to Chautauqua paddlefish. Can't catch them, but I'm glad they are back. Move over musky, spoonbill is back! I, like many, love the screaming runs, occasional jumps, raw power and often chaotic excitement of major sized kings, even against the drag of trolling. And bluefish swarms killing plugs in Narragansett Bay or Long Island Sound......love it! (they taste good too). A small fish that has little fight but looks crazy when they fill with water or air, the northern puffer, will put a walleye in the back seat on the kitchen table! We call 'em chicken of the sea. I like ALL of this fishing for different reasons. Just don't seem to be able to say I can't stand or won't do this or that kind of fishing. I'm glad New York has worked to establish, re-establish and build and rebuild so many fishing opportunities mother nature, and all and any other powers that be, have given us to enjoy. The colors, tastes, looks, fighting characteristics, varieties....all have something and many things to give us. Really? Sheepheads? Long live kings, really long live lakers, steelies, pickerel, crappies, American shad (what?), American eels, rockies, etc. etc.....Some fun for everyone. It's good for the environment and for us all. BTW...nix those crazy jumping silver carp and plankton eating bigheads......Yeah, I guess there are some fish I don't want to see around......It's late, I'm going fishing.....