Musky Hunter Field Editor Carl David “Crash” Mullins died Saturday, September 19, at his residence after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. 

Mullins, 56, of Morehead, Kentucky, was a professional fishing guide and put Cave Run Lake on the map of musky anglers everywhere. He was owner and operator of Crash’s Landing at Cave Run Lake in Morehead, an outdoor writer, and a seminar speaker.

Crash was host of his TV show, “Catch Ya’ in the Bluegrass” and was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a member of Muskies, Inc., the Kentucky Silver Muskie Club, and a founding member of Professional Musky Tournament Trail.

“Crash was a good friend to everyone at Musky Hunter. He was one of the original field editors and our primary contact for all things southern musky,” said Musky Hunter Editor Jim Saric. “He was solely responsible for not only putting Cave Run muskies on the map but raising overall awareness that muskies existed in the South. 

“I had the pleasure of fishing with Crash on several occasions and found that he was on the cutting edge of many of the techniques that are commonly used today for southern muskies,” Saric continued. “His personality made him a fun, memorable and unique figure in musky fishing. He was a hall of fame angler, a true southern musky legend, and a friend. He will be missed.”

Crash was born December 1, 1958, in Ashland, Kentucky, a son of William Carl Mullins and the late Essie Mae Carroll Mullins. He was a member of the Sharkey Freewill Baptist Church and was a 30-year master mason and past master of the Olive Hill Lodge No. 629, 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite of Covington, and a member of the El Hasa Shrine Temple.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Lewis Mullins. Crash is survived by his father, William Carl Mullins of Olive Hill, Kentucky; his wife, Gina Haren Boyd Mullins; one daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Ryan Burton of Grayson, Kentucky; one son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Amanda Mullins of Morehead, Kentucky; one stepdaughter and her husband, Callie and Tony Cicenas of Kenova, West Virginia; 11 grandchildren; and two sisters, Retha Carolyn Mullins of Olive Hill, Kentucky, and Linda Kay Morris of Morehead, Kentucky. He also leaves many other family members and friends.