cant wait to land some big muskies

last summer i looked up some tips on how to catch muskie and went out with a ugly stick light ,rod and reel combo.30lbtest braided spiderwire.a steel leader..not sure the test.and a 1 dollar chartruese spinnerbait from wal mart.

i went back to little/big cave run coves and worked all the timber like the internet said.casting past the trees and dragging beside them.on the point of the cove i landed my first muskie .it was 38 inches ...it was the best fight ive ever had with a fish so  i am now hooked...this year i plan on buying some new lures for muskie and new tackle period because all of mine was stolen..

i was pretty proud of my catch being the first time ive ever muskie fished.i will be out on the lake 3  or 4 times a week average.

does anyone have any tips on keeping the muskie alive after a catch?mine wrapped itself around a tree and banged its side up pretty bad.. i tryed everything i read.rubbing its belly to push the air out.pulling it backwards through the water to get the water in its gills.and nothing worked.it kept going belly up . i tryed for over a half hour.i dont want my next catch to die .id like to release it for another person to catch.

any tips is appreciated