61" Muskie caught on Mille Lacs?

[DTro]

What amazes me is that with all the hoopla and drama and arguing about past record and or near record fish and with all the technology available to us today that a simple photo next to a measuring tape can’t be had. Especially by someone who is out targeting a big fish.

It’s just my opinion, but calling someone out on a public forum is pointless. Because of the circumstances, the truth might never be known, but why not give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

I can say this though, if a near record fish (of any species) decides to find its way to the bottom of my boat, there will be multiple pictures and videos to silence the naysayers.

Isn’t the most important thing here that the guy caught a HUGE fish, shared it with everyone, and released it for someone else to enjoy someday? I say congrats!

[S.D. Ice Angular]

What amazes me is that with all the hoopla and drama and arguing about past record and or near record fish and with all the technology available to us today that a simple photo next to a measuring tape can’t be had. Especially by someone who is out targeting a big fish.

It’s just my opinion, but calling someone out on a public forum is pointless. Because of the circumstances, the truth might never be known, but why not give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

I can say this though, if a near record fish (of any species) decides to find its way to the bottom of my boat, there will be multiple pictures and videos to silence the naysayers.

Isn’t the most important thing here that the guy caught a HUGE fish, shared it with everyone, and released it for someone else to enjoy someday? I say congrats!

Exactly

Could not have said better

[urban cowboy]

What amazes me is that with all the hoopla and drama and arguing about past record and or near record fish and with all the technology available to us today that a simple photo next to a measuring tape can’t be had. Especially by someone who is out targeting a big fish.

It’s just my opinion, but calling someone out on a public forum is pointless. Because of the circumstances, the truth might never be known, but why not give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

I can say this though, if a near record fish (of any species) decides to find its way to the bottom of my boat, there will be multiple pictures and videos to silence the naysayers.

Isn’t the most important thing here that the guy caught a HUGE fish, shared it with everyone, and released it for someone else to enjoy someday? I say congrats!

Good points. Always be prepared for the unexpected monster to hit. Like my signiture says........

[setterguy]

Why would someone lie about a fish that was released? UC - Do you believe it was 59, 57? If you don't think its 61, how big do you think it is? I have plenty of pictures in my own library of fish that are 45-48 that look much bigger in the picture than fish that were 50+ inches like the one in my avatar that went 50.5. I would love to play a little game with you picture experts...I'll post 5 pictures you tell me within an inch how big they were. If you don't know and don't have a reason to doubt someone, enjoy the pictures, it sounds like pure hating to me. Unless their last name is Spray, then I would have doubts too.

[urban cowboy]

It is a huge fish, really thick with great proportions and I am very happy for the angler regardless of length. Im not going to guess the size. With this being an open forum for oppinion, I respect yours as I wish that you respect mine.

Congrats to the angler and respect for the CPR.

[john skarie]

Setterguy;

Post 5 pictures of what are considered legit 58"+ fish, and then compare them to the 61".

It's not hating anything, it's just an opinion.

JS

[JRedig]

I think you only need to compare that pic with 1 other pic...

This one will work:

Hell, how about this one just for fun:

[RumRiverRat]

Leave it up to Rum River Rat to call someone out on thread behavior.... That's funny, why don't you go back to your past post in multiple treads and then get back to me.

The magnitude of a 61 inch fish is tremendous, tough to comprehend, and very important to the sport of muskie fishing.

I guess I apologize for my opinion.

Which posts?

You talking about the on water etiquette thread, I stand by everything I said in that thread.

Since you cannot post anything positive in this thread and decided to try to start a fight with me, just stop posting in this thread.

Simple Really

[urban cowboy]

Not trying to fight with you rum. I have said many positive things in this tread and many others. Plus you carry multiple guns, 2, 3, sometimes 4, so I dont want to mess with you.

[setterguy]

John, are there pictures of these "legit 58"" fish on bump boards? If not, why are they considered legit? That is the only way to really know...and that's my point. No one knows except for the two guys in the boat so why post doubt in a public forum unless you have reason to think otherwise. My point is length is virtually impossible to gauge from a picture, you don't know, I don't know, and calling the angler out is basically calling a guy a liar for no reason.

We could argue forever about how long the fish might be, I'll leave it alone and say again congrats.

[urban cowboy]

58

55

[muskydeceiver]

Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today?

Ty Webb: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score.

Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers?

Ty Webb: By height.

[b1gf1sh1]

let's all not forget too that in Georian Bay a 53 1/2 inch fish weighed in at over 61 lbs.(kept). 31 inch girth or something like that. compare that to the state record and it get's clear that certain waters make for different fish genetics. that one i lost looked a lot like the third pic in Jreds post except the head was a lot bigger on mine. and maybe fatter but i only got a glimpse of her belly. pics are hard to judge. heck i've had fish at 47''s that look smaller than some 45'' out of the same waters. but because he said he couldn't turn her helps me believe him. it's something that needs to be experienced to really understand. it's like pulling on a tree floating downstream stuck in strong current. been there done that too and that's exactly what it felt like. and i'm going back again i can promise you that. lose or no it was a special feeling. again, nice job F&F.

[setterguy]

Muskydeciever - love it.

UC - those are great fish.

[10,000 Casts]

All of the above are HUGE!!! I will just dream about catching my occational 44"er maybe a 47"er or 2 and be on my way!!! It's that 44"er that gets me to sleep each night and gives me happy dreams...

[urban cowboy]

Those are two of my all time favorite muskie pics. I love that vermilion 55.. so clean, I remember when I first seen that pic.

It can happen to anyone at any time. Thats why we cast until our arms feel like jello.

I always get excited this time of year when the fall is just around the corner. Gosh I hope somebody boats another pig this fall. I have a good feeling its going to happen.

[dcmusky]

I think you only need to compare that pic with 1 other pic...

This one will work:

Hell, how about this one just for fun:

The top one was 55" and I'm 6'1" 200lbs and I'm not shoving the fish out for the camera(I like my back& besides it was to &*^%%$ heavy )

[Muskiefool]

Its a nice looking fish, pictures can be the death of an argument in the Muskie world so get a whoppa stick.

[urban cowboy]

Its a nice looking fish, pictures can be the death of an argument in the Muskie world so get a whoppa stick.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH..

Now thats funny.

[Fish&Fowl]

Well I wasn't going to post on here anymore because #1 it's pointless to try to argue with the naysayers because there is no way to PROVE how big the fish is, and #2 because I don't really care about the opinions of some guys on the internet I don't know.

There are two people who know the size of that fish, and to me they're the two most important people. I know without a doubt that fish was 61", and that's all that matters. If the thing was 56" or 58", why wouldn't I just say it was and be excited that it was my biggest fish by a long shot. I have no reason to lie about how big it was...do you really think I'd want all this hype and to have a fish mounted in my house with all my family and friends congratulating me knowing I lied to everyone? That's pretty messed up, guess being a small-town guy I can't imagine doing that.

I've learned a lot of lessons after catching this fish, and I do wish we could have got a picture on a tape but she was too wide to lay in the boat and I felt laying her down would have given her a great chance to kill herself. Anyways for those who have supported and congratulated me, thank you...I really appreciate it! And I'm still very glad I opted to throw her back, killing a fish or taking a chance of killing a fish that is probably 40 years old or more just so no one can question it is not something I ever plan on doing.

[cbrooks]

Congrats on the FF. If I ever get lucky enough to catch a fish like that I'll be sure not to post on here so other people can say its lie. Glad you let her go. Good job.

[Muskiefool]

Gman its cool, I appreciate the most important part about your catch and that's she swam away; that's #1, like Ive said a million times Pics never seem to do any fish justice, the most important part is your time with her and your memory, not mine.

I don't post the size of any fish Ive caught and if I do it may be a 51 this week and next week its 49, I don't even tell my buddies how big they are unless your in the boat with me then you know; because what others think or worry about means nothing to me and it shouldn't you either, all I care is that she swims away so you have a shot at her.

Great fish, congrats; I hope its you that gets her again,,, because I know you do the right thing...

you gotta luve the whoppa stick LOL.

[AlwysFshn]

First of all, congrats on the awesome catch!!! I'm way jealous of that beast! Second of all, has anyone actually tried to calculate the size of the fish based on the picture? By using a reference point (the knuckle on his middle finger), I have been having fun trying to calculate the size using my rudimentary math skills. After several calculations to discover the tolerances of my measurements and assuming that his knuckle is similar to the size of my knuckle (although I played with this number too to be sure I could be off a little and still have a good reference point) there is no doubt in my mind that this fish is a legitimate 61". Congrats on the monster!!!

[Fish&Fowl]

First of all, congrats on the awesome catch!!! I'm way jealous of that beast! Second of all, has anyone actually tried to calculate the size of the fish based on the picture? By using a reference point (the knuckle on his middle finger), I have been having fun trying to calculate the size using my rudimentary math skills. After several calculations to discover the tolerances of my measurements and assuming that his knuckle is similar to the size of my knuckle (although I played with this number too to be sure I could be off a little and still have a good reference point) there is no doubt in my mind that this fish is a legitimate 61". Congrats on the monster!!!

I did the same thing with the fish and the width of my shoulders while I was in the boat because I still didn't believe it!! Actually there is a pic with the full fish and you can use the full "L" in "RL" on my sweatshirt which is 9" tall. It's pretty easy to figure out it's legit, and I physically can't hold the fish out from my body, which is also very clear in the photo. Just waiting to hear from MH again what the deal is with the rest of the pictures.

Also, here is a picture of my buddy a little while later. I give Josh a lot of credit in order for me to be sharing these pictures and couldn't ask for a better fishing partner. Hope you enjoy!

[ryanmitchell]

I remember when I caught my first musky. It was one, if not the most exciting moments of my life. Shaking, euphoric, stoked. Also caught on a top raider. My brother and a good buddy were with me. I could only imagine how insane you guys must have been once that leviathan was secured in the net. Very cool, and inspiring for the legions of musky hunters.