The biggest catch never caught... Trials of muskie fishing and fighting for world-class catch

A personal essay recounts the author’s attempt to switch from chasing walleye, bass, and panfish to targeting muskies at Lake Vermilion. The writer says they typically fish for only an hour or two and initially believed muskies would be a “world-record” pursuit, citing sightings of 50-plus-inch fish near their dock. They describe learning quickly that muskie fishing is more demanding than expected: blistering hands from large-tackle casting, and frustration with trolling a foot-long Swim Whizz lure, which they liken to dragging a microwave through the water. They also argue modern electronics have shifted muskie angling to a “spot-and-stalk” approach, while their preference for holding the rod limits efficiency.