Went to Tapps Saturday in my buddy's bassboat. Of course we were fishing for smallies. And then it happened. While fishing a swimbait I got a tic and set the hook. Early in the fight I thought to myself, something doesn't feel right. Then I saw it. Dear Lord, I had hooked my first Tiger Muskie! It wasn't big. Maybe eight pounds. Hell, I don't know. What I do know is once netted it all went south from there. It was a Chinese fire drill. First of all, I have never put my hands on such a slimy fish in my life. I was like a little girl being forced to hold a snake. Knowing the mouth was off limits, it kept slipping out of my hands and falling to the bottom of the boat where its slime proceeded to make a gooey mess out of the carpet of my buddy's boat. Well, maybe ex buddy. I haven't heard from him since. He's probably still cussing me while scrubbing his carpet.Though i wanted a photo, I couldn't wait to get it out of the boat. I swear if I ever hook one of those toothy critters again, there is one thing I will promise. Not only will I release it, I will release it without it ever seeing the inside of the boat. And any photo opportunities will be done while the fish is in the water, which will undoubtedly make the fish, myself and anyone whose boat I might be fishing in very happy.

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