Raked!!!

[ScowardNJ]

Went fishin in the Monkswood region Saturday hoping for some walleye action. Fishing was slow, worked several areas picking away for 3 small eyes. Right around noon i set the hook on the bite i was hoping for. The fish stayed down, wouldn't come up. Felt like a GOOD eye. Once i started to lift the fish from the depths it shot across the bow of the Mugger and headed for the middle of lake. This is no walleye!!! I knew what i dealing with at this point and just wanted to see it. 6# braid, 10# flouro leader on a medium light jigging rod.....Got the ski to the surface and saw the jig right in the corner of the mouth and knew i had a chance. Got it in the net, immediately set the camera phone timer, hit the button, go back to the penned fish which was acting very calm, grabbed it under the gill, lift it and it totally freaks out. I managed to hold it for the pic, then layed it on the deck for measurement reference then right back in the lake. Swam away strong. After the adrenaline calmed there was blood everywhere, haha. I got raked!!!! Dug out the Mugger's half assed first aid kit, wrapped up my fingers and called it a day. 44"ish