Teenager Lands Ky State Record Musky!
"It was just too beautiful of a day to pass up and we knew cold weather would be here soon enough and our fishing days were numbered," Mary Kay Salchli said. Little did the family know that this ordinary day would soon turn into history being made. The familie’s daughter, Sarah Terry, reeled in a 47 pound - 54 inch length - 26.5 inch girth muskellunge Kentucky state record fish that day.
The family spent much of the day trolling the waters seeking the legendary fish and as of mid afternoon hadn't spotted a fish yet. Their oldest daughter Sarah suggested the family cast a few times before wrapping up the day on the lake.
This proved to be the best idea of the day, for just after about 30 minutes of casting Sarah hooked a monster musky from the water. "I saw it chasing after my bait as I cranked my double cowgirl through the water and I thought to myself this is the biggest fish I've ever seen" Sarah said. The musky didn't put up much of a fight inhaling the lure on the second turn of a figure eight, at that point Sarah's step-father Scott Salchli, says he heard her yell and then saw the fish grabbing the net to get it in the boat realizing it was a huge fish. "It's just been an unbelievable experience and I couldn't be more proud of Sarah" says Scott Salchli.
The family says taking the fish to be certified on scales wasn't an easy decision for the young angler to make because we've always practiced catch & release. "We knew that the fish was hurting due to the bait it swallowed & was in distress. We tried floating her in the water but she was having difficulties and that's when we decided to have it weighed" says Sarah Terry. Fred Howes KYDFW biologist confirmed the state record that night.
As for Sarah, she contributes her knowledge and skill of muskies to her step-dad who is a local guide on Cave Run and member of the PMTT.