Submitted by Rob Spencer

With my electric motor in the shop for repairs,casting was difficult if downright impossible, especially with water levels so low. It's tough to get to casting spots without busting a prop.I developed a procedure for casting which involved trolling up to nasty, rocky 2-3 feet deep reefs and then hoisting an anchor to cast. The problem though was after a few minutes of fan casting you want to move and have to repeat the time consuming procedure, pulling up anchor, moving, and dropping anchor .
I eventually gave up casting and concentrated on trolling .I Alternated trolling between sandy shallow, weedy, bays and the deeper edges of rocky drop-offs.
My lure was down about 8 feet in 10- 12 feet of water when the reel exploded. There is a definate difference in the sound of the clicker on a reel when a big fish hits. the drag setting allows the line to release without snapping the lure from the muskies mouth, but when a big fish hits, the rod bends, the zzz seems louder and when you first pick up the rod and feel the power of the fish, adreniline takes over.
Fishing for muskies alone in a boat presents many challenges, the key to succesfully releasing any musky while you're alone is preparation. Before I put one lure in the water, I have the net ready and the handle in an easy to get position on the boat. I use a cradle for quick measuring and release which also is out of storage and easily accesible. Gloves, long handle pliers, and wire cutters are all out and ready to use. I clip my camera to my windshield BEFORE I begin fishing and click a few "empty"poses to ensure the camera is all set IF I catch one.
I have no idea how long it took to land the musky in the net. Adreniline seems to stop time. It wasn't easy, I loosened the drag and let her run if she wanted to, which she did every time she saw the boat.I waited her out ,letting her run, the first time she surfaced I noticed the hook was well set and wasn't too worried about losing her. She eventually remained at the surface staying horizontal when I first introduced her to the net, no way! Off she went. I was careful not  to let her use the net to remove the lure. I can't remember how many 180's she made when she saw the net but eventually she swam clear into the net and hold on! Violent thrashing and she was in! I high fived the air as there was no-one in the boat to cheer with.I was exhausted. Nice big 55!