Strange fish

[M R Dux]

I guess I have had several. A few years ago I caught a white egret that just couldn't live without the rattletrap I was casting into a canal behind my in-law's place in Fort Meyers. Stupid thing tried to grab it in mid air and wrapped his legs up in the line. I had to reel it up then release it in full view of the neighbors who weren't real happy about some KY redneck fishing in their back yard at 5:30 AM all while the bird was screaming it's head off. We both were OK in the end.

Probably 30 or more years ago I was fishing a small crappie jig on a Billy Westmoreland 4 1/2 foot ultralight rod in Ledbetter Creek on KY Lake in December. Hadn't seen another boat all day. As I was swimming the jig in 20+ feet of water, something B-I-G hit it and headed for parts unknown. I just backed the drag off and let it go, thinking it was a huge smallmouth. As I started to gain line, I could see a shape that looked 4 feet long coming up. I got the net and got it on the bow of the Skeeter. I looked at it for what seemed a minute till I realized it was a musky.
Now parts of KY have world class musky fishing but I had never seen or heard of one on KY Lake. I picked it up by the gill plate and held it at belt level and it's tail dragged the deck. Not being a musky fisherman, I had zero idea what it weighed and since I din't have a camera or need to spend the $$ to mount it, I dropped it back over the side.

I've not seen or even heard of one being caught in KY Lake since.

[chaunc]

Caught this a couple springs ago up here at Shenango Lake. Not sure if it's a bluegill or crappie. Even our area biologist couldn't figure it out. I tossed it back after a couple pics.

[captdave]

Well—closest I can get was when I gigged a mud duck while frog gigging. Hooked him good, flopping around, screaming enough (me and the duck) to bring dad running. His buddies had a hoot and I had my butt beat (that is how it worked back then).


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com

What is a mud duck?

[skiptomylu]

Have caught some really ugly fish before and some objects, but as youth do strange things sometimes, I have caught a snake and an alligator on purpose. When board you know how a young mind works, lol! If I think hard there is no telling what else I would remember, lol!

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