Could have been a big northern Pike as well. Lake Erie has alot of northerns in it. Catch them all the time in the spring in the rivers. Especially the Sandusky. Most people don't even fish for them. I've caught puke in the 33"-38" range. I'm sure there are bigger ones out there. A 28" northern will fight just like that and bite off 50 lb test braid with ease. I go in a puke fishing trip every up by the Upper peninsula and catch tons of northerns that fight just like that and will bite off 65 lb test braid