By CRAIG STAPON

This is the time of year that the toothy critters put the feed bag on and start beefing up for the long winter.

Muskie and pike start feeding heavily and will attack anything in their territory.

I had a large pike take a walleye boat side on the weekend.

As you can see by the picture, pike will also feed on their own kind.

I guess you could call it the predator-prey relationship. A large pike or muskie will take a bait up to 40% of its size. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

Several years ago I was distressed to find a large muskie floating belly up. As I got closer I noticed another fish attached to it. After closer inspection it was easy to figure out what transpired. The muskie was about 48 inches long and had taken a pike for lunch.

Fully exposed

The pike was 29 inches long and managed to squeeze out the side of the muskie's gill plate. The pike became lodged in the gills with its head fully exposed on the side of the muskie's gill plate.

I guess the muskie bit off a bit more than it could chew and the mistake was the last one she ever made.

Actually, it is a pretty common occurrence to have a larger fish hit the one you have just set the hook on.

Last weekend while fishing with Josh Haisell and his dad a muskie attacked a 15-pound pike while it was being retrieved. I am not sure if the muskie was trying to eat the fish, it may have just been chasing it out of its area. The pike was raked on the side and was bleeding. A fresh wound for sure.

Often you will catch walleye that have......

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Often you will catch walleye that havescars on the side, most likely from a tussle with one of the toothy critters. It is exciting to see and it sure gets the heart going.

Targetting and catching large fish is becoming one of the fastest-growing angling pursuits around.

These notorious followers can bring up your blood pressure and break your heart. It makes you feel good that you figured out a pattern and moved a few fish.

And move we did. About 20 different muskie came at the boat and we closed about 20%. Not a bad average. Muskie can be the toughest game fish to catch but once you get the fever you can be hooked for life.

I love to fish but the big girls are what I hunt for. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the pink fins thrashing in a battle of skill. You against the mighty muskie.

If you haven't tried it, get out and do it.

The whole experience could change your life. I am thankful that my buddy Lance Denoon introduced me to the muskie in 1978.

In three more years it will be my 30th anniversary chasing those creatures. I hope I get 30 more. It's not easy but it can be very worthwhile. Your fortunes can change on any cast. My passion is passed on by the Canadian Sox Association which is hosting its monthly meeting on Tuesday at Smitty's on Regent at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there -- come experience the follow.

Till next week, keep your lines tight.


Source: WPGSun