Hooked up at 6am with CraigVM62 at the county launch. It was pretty windy so we headed straight across from the launch to Muskyhunter's special cove (this is where he's been seeing them). Worked it hard on both sides and had no follows or sightings. We then ran over to Craig's lucky cove, well it was lucky for me, shortly into it I spotted a Monster, (would have bet my personal best easily, 45++) I cast over its head in the direction he was headed and retrieved back towards him, in a split second he flipped around and HAMMERED my spinner. I had one shot to set the hook and ripped it from him. he didn't come back. my hands were shaking for a good 5 minutes following that near catch...should of had it (rookie mistake?). Well about a half hour later I had another chance. This time I got him in the boat with Craig's help. I actually set the hook not once, not twice, but there times. Guess what, the only thing that kept him on was the pressure of the pole and his stubbornness to hold on. The hook never even penetrated his boney@#$ upper jaw. He went 29.5" and I would guess about 6.5 to 7lbs, I didn't scale him and forgot to use my new fabric tape measure. Thirty minutes later had one more run from beneath a dock, swipe short and return to cover. I did get two good size smallies today which adds to the fun, especially when your targeting Muskies. Craig had another practice day for when he gets his 48"er. Nice to fish with you Craig!!

---