Thread on record walleye??

[tisosy11]

An engineer's rule measures in tenths...but still pretty skeptical on the actual size...

[Gordie]

An engineer's rule measures in tenths

Yep it sure does but this guy is a guide and I'll bet most all guides use the rule that is by the inch along with almost all fishermen.

Well enough from me as I'm going to get ready for opener and try and catch those "19.'875 eyes that are under the slot.

[DTro]

It does look probable that it makes the girth measurement though.

Really?? if anything the girth is what I would question the most. For example last fall we took a trip to lockport and caught about 100 sumo channel cats...big beefy 25lb+ fish and not once did we hit 24". I have pics floating around here somewhere

[Scott K]

Here is a 24" girth fish. There is no way that walleye was anywhere near it. I have caught many walleyes 10+ pound, and none had anywhere near a 24" girth. Sorry, the lenght, or girth is nowhere near believable.

[CANOPY SAM]

Not to split hairs, but yep, really. It's a very thick fish.

Just taking into account the average length of his fingers, the way they're wrapped around the bottom of the fish's belly (not even at the thickest part of the fish), the width of the flank of the fish on just a flat plane alone, then taking into consideration the arc of the probable circumference...

Yes, I think it's very possible this fish could be very close, if not at least 24 inches around at the widest point.

But I still don't see 35 inches long....Maybe 31...or even 32...but not 35. JMO.

The real argument is how can you be considered for the record books at just your word, and one photograph, and perhaps your best buddies testimony? It just simply doesn't add up.

[CANOPY SAM]

If I were to take an educated and experienced guess I'd say we're looking at a poor photograph of a very ripe, ready to spawn 11.5-13.5 lb. female walleye.

30-32 inches long, and 22-24 inches in girth.

But again, JMO. I've been known to be wrong in the past.

[Heartman]

Hey, it's his fish - do you know him well enough to call him a liar? It's his call not ours, hold off on the passing of judgement on him. Big fish for sure - glad he was able to a picture and let it go - that's enough for me. Thanks!

[creepworm]

I also find it odd that his measurements were perfect to come out to beat the record by .1 lbs. The odds of breaking the record are very slim, but to beat it by .1 pounds is just unrealistic. Also his comment that his portable scale came out to 17.9 pounds, the exact same as the measurement scale makes it unrealistic. Those scales are rarely correct and neither are the length to weight conversions, much less both of them being completely in line with eachother.

[CANOPY SAM]

Another glaring issue, if this fish actually does make the record books, the only photo we're shown doesn't even show the WHOLE fish!

Heartman...I'm not bashing this guy, but you have to admit, to submit this fish for a line class, and/or state record, with extremely limited credible evidence, is pretty bold, and perhaps a little foolish.

The Minnesota State Record Walleye is an extremely prized fish, and inhabits a very special place in the hearts of every walleye angler out there. It's not something to be taken lightly, or made a "spoof" of.

[Maverick]

So, with all of this being said, has anyone heard any more from the guy that caught the fish. You would think that he would say something to defend his claims. I checked the Bemidji paper and there hasn't been anymore follow up that I could find. I would find it interesting for him to explain some of the issues brought up here.

He may just fade into the background and become the Rosey Ruiz of walleye fishermen. He might even find his way into Trivial Pursuit.

[DTro]

I honestly don't think the girth is more than 20".

The biggest here is 23" and most were 22"

[TruthWalleyes]

Unless that guy was a giant, it doesn't look like a record walleye. I know all my fish look terribly small in front of me, but even a record walleye in my hands would look a bit bigger...especially holding it out in front of me.

NIce Cats DTRO.

The fish in my avatar is 54" but i've seen a lot of pictures where a 42" sturgeon looks much bigger in someone elses hands than the 54" in mine.

[Heartman]

The protocol for determining records is designed to eliminate all the "possibles". Certainly agree the walleye is a highly-prized specie and such - if he hasn't the appropriate and required documentation to be recognized it will be disqualified. He caught what he thinks is a really big fish - good for him. Every time I fish with my 5 year old niece she thinks every sunfish she catches is a state record - good for her too.

Bottom line - I'm no expert at determining determining state records, and am in no position to challenge him. It's his call and his decision to pursue the certification. To each his own.

[Comit 2]

Quote:

Yep, not being a hater, it's just that what are the odds the same guy who holds the world record for hand size also caught the new Minnesota record walleye wink

You just gotta love it.

This couldn't help his business in any way could it?

[CANOPY SAM]

Those are some great catfish pics. Gotta love Selkirk! Wonder what tore up that fish with the ragged bloody tail flank?

Not sure it's entirely fair to compare a catfish to a walleye. They're somewhat anatomically different, and will show radically different weight to measurement ratios depending on the time of year. That's why I don't put a lot of faith in the length to weight charts at any given time.

Interestingly, I have a friend that caught a genuine 33-inch walleye mid-summer on Lake of the Woods a few years back. Mid-July that very long, skinny fish only weighed 11.5 lbs. Can't be certain, but I'd guess when she was bulging with eggs just before spawning, and fattened by pre-spawn feeding, she would've been pushing 15 lbs., and it's wide open as to what her actual girth measurement would've been at the time.

Either way, it's all subjective now. This "alleged" record book fish is swimming somewhere in Lake of the Woods, and hopefully I'll catch her when the season is actually open!

[rundrave]

Not sure it's entirely fair to compare a catfish to a walleye. They're somewhat anatomically different, and will show radically different weight to measurement ratios depending on the time of year.

I don't think anyone will dispute that they anatomically different. But 24" girth is 24" girth whether its on a walleye, cat, bullhead, carp etc.

I call bull on the alleged record walleye, just wish this guy had more to prove his credibility other than a story.

[Scott K]

Here is a 33" spawning fish. Look at the front of my shirt, it is dripping out as I am holding it. I am not long arming it, even though it may appear with my left arm, but you can tell my right arm is at my side. I am not a walleye fishermen, so other then length, I didnt waste much time before getting it back to the water. To steal my bait again.

[Gordie]

This is a picture of a walleye I caught a few years ago guess what the length and weight is along with the girth

[Bigsmitty]

LOL there is no way that fish is what he says.

Pictures dont lie.

[CANOPY SAM]

29 inches....9 3/4 lbs....20 inch girth? Close?

[DTro]

I hear ya Sam, but if you take a look at that Tobin walleye I posted at the beginning of this thread...its confirmed 22". With all due respect Mikels fish isn't almost 2" fatter. If anything its skinnier.

@ Gordie I'm going 29 x 17

[Sonicrunch]

You just gotta love it.

This couldn't help his business in any way could it?

not anymore. I would see him as being full of it, and thus a poser.

[Gordie]

@ Gordie I'm going 29 x 17

This might help the battle that is what this is about but my fish is acctually 26 3/4 X 18.5 and tipped the scale at 10 pounds on the nose.

I didnt belive it so I measured again and weighed two more times bounced at 9.15 and 10 pounds and those are the numbers.

I still do not belive that fish was 35 inches and the girth is in no way close to what he said.IMO

[Gordie]

Here is another pic of the same fish

[TruthWalleyes]

You don't look as happy in the second pic gordy

I do like pictures of walleyes in front of big narly snags though!!