The thrill of the chase lures Becker to Musky fishing

Clear Lake’s Ryan Becker is taking his fishing to a whole new level.  The 28-year-old fisherman will compete in the Professional Musky Tournament Trail World Championship at Lake Miltona, Minn. Oct. 22-23 with partner Travis Nielsen, of Winnebago, Minn.

The team earned the trip to the world championship based on their performance at qualifying events at Eagle River and Madison, Wis.  They will compete against 35 teams, all vying to take home a $40,000 first place prize package in the championship.

Although the tournament trail has been a new experience for the team, Becker is confident in their ability to make a run at the world title.

“I have fished there (Lake Miltona) a ton.  I know the lake and have had good success there,” he said.  “I was just there last week and I am pretty dialed in.”

His words are backed up by a photo taken recently of him holding a huge Musky pulled from the lake which he estimated at more than 40-pounds.

Becker comes from a fishing family and credits his dad, Jeff, with teaching him the basics— and now advanced lessons.

“Probably the biggest lesson he taught me is that I am fishing against the fish, not other competitors.  I need to focus on what I am doing,” he said.

Unlike his father and uncle, Joel, who have had their share of fishing tournament success, Ryan said he prefers angling for Muskellunge, rather than walleyes.  The fun, he says, is in the chase.

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“Musky can be finicky at times, but that just makes me want to keep chasing.  You can fish for days and not see a Musky.  Weather plays a big part— the wind, moon, water conditions.  Location is the first consideration; cover is key.  My favorite part is that boat side technique can make a huge difference. It’s exciting to be working a figure eight along side the boat and see a Musky come after the bait,” he explained.

Artificial lures are used exclusively in the pursuit of the fish and Becker said he prefers to cast, rather than troll.

He believes landing two or three fish in the catch-and-release tournament should put the team in the placements, but notes points are awarded on length, not weight, and fish weighing more than 50-pounds earn bonus points.

Even if they don’t take home the top prize, Becker said he and Nielsen are sure to have fun.  “We’re good partners because we have fun fishing and that makes it easy.  We don’t put pressure on ourselves.”

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