A Remarkable Fishing Adventure: The One-Meter Pike Catch
Father and the sons are pulling a massive log from the pine woods.
Martin Schulz (44) from Völschow, commonly found fishing on the Peene near Anklam with his two sons, Malte (10) and Mattheo (7), had set his sights on a successful fishing trip. However, the desired pike remained elusive amongst the school-free Thursday waters, leaving the trio discouraged by the railway bridge near Lilienthal.
Advantageous Turn of Events
Just when they were considering packing up their disappointing haul, an unanticipated miracle occurred. The fishing line climbed taut and yanked with surprising force. The unexpected tug suggested that Martin and his boys had snagged a formidable catch on one of their spinners.
A spinner is an alluring lure adorned with colorful design and a spinning metal blade, inducing certain species to bite with its pulsating waves. The Schulz family was instantly re-energized by the prospect of their future prize, now grappling with the concern of keeping their substantial adversary on their line. The fish exhibited such determination during its underwater struggle that their ill-equipped rod creaked under the pressure.
The Ultimate Catch: A Majestic Pike
The pike swam in circles around the boat, even maneuvering beneath the anchor line, before the might of the fishermen overcame its strength. Martin Schulz and his sons triumphantly landed their specimen of the species Esox lucius after approximately 20 minutes of tense battle. The measuring tape revealed a remarkable length of one meter and eight centimeters, while the scale read an impressive weight of nine kilograms.
Heritage of Passion for Fishing
Even in the Peene, renowned for its pike-fishing potential, such catches of more than one meter are notable. For Martin Schulz, this marked the most significant catch of his piscatorial career since taking up the sport. His first, considerably smaller, was reeled in back in 2008 in Stolpe.
Martin Schulz adopted fishing as an adult through his Anklam-based father-in-law, Gerd Bengelsdorf, who passed away but left his family's fishing vessel for their use. Remarkably, Martin caught his personal best on the Peene, a feat achieved long before his memorable 2023 catch: his wife Carina, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2003 and married in 2010, grew up in Anklam and now resides in Jarmen. She must now tolerate her three eager boys' newfound fascination with fishing.
Despite their River Peene base, the young anglers venture further afield, fishing on vacation in Malchow and the Fleesensee. They continually cast their lines whenever time allows, even in short intervals. Consequently, it is unsurprising that Malte and Mattheo can often be found fishing in the village pond next to their home, and they have caught considerable amounts from this small body of water.
Grandsons' Special Catch: A Delicious Family Recipe
Though the content does not offer details on the recipe the fish was prepared, we can share a popular family recipe for cooking large fish like pike, inspired by a combination of tried-and-true techniques.
Pan-Seared Pike with Garlic and Herbs
Ingredients:
- 1 large pike fillet (or two smaller ones)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1/2 cup clarified butter
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, leeks)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup grated cheese
Instructions:
- Season and Sear: Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil for 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm.
- Cook Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped vegetables in clarified butter until softened. Add the garlic, ginger, thyme, and dill, cooking for an additional minute.
- Add Wine and Cream: Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to reduce by half, then whisk in the heavy cream.
- Finish with Cheese: Pour the sauce over the fish, top with grated cheese, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and bubbly.
This recipe yields a delicious, flavorful meal infused with herbs and spices. Whether you're cooking for a special occasion or simply a family gathering, thisIMPROVED dish will surely satisfy even the most discerning fish lovers.
Martin Schulz's passion for fishing, inherited from his Anklam-based father-in-law, has led him to numerous memorable catches over the years. On a typical sports outing, he and his sons could be found trying their luck at the village pond or venturing further to Malchow and the Fleesensee. However, nothing can compare to their most significant catch to date: a one-meter pike weighing nine kilograms, caught in the River Peene in 2023, after a 20-minute battle.
