if you caught a 52+ inch muskie

[Cody Gruchow]

if you caught a muskie 52+ inchs big what would you do keep it, or take a photo and get a replica made?


lets hear everyones opinions on this topic

[JohnWester]

photos and replica.

[Super Star!]

Why keep it? Take some pics and measurements and get a repo maid. Most of the big muskie I have seen have some scares and bad fins. I repo may cost you more but some kid may have the chance to catch that fish you just let go..

Now if your a walleye guy you’ll say take it home and toss it in the trash were they belong....

[Bobby Bass]

First I would wonder how the heck I did it  then pictures and release. Replica if I could find the extra money. 52 inch would not be cheap...

[Spinach]

Definitely photos and a replica on a fish like that for me.

[Cody Gruchow]

well i personaly dont like replicas. i would much rather see the real thing on my wall. now i dout that i will ever catch one this big and unless it tops the 52 inch mark it would go back into the water. heck my first walleye off of mille lacs was 29 3/4 inchs and that fish is on my wall. i release 98% of the fish i catch

[Woody]

If I caught a 52" Muskie, I'd:

1st-Poop my pants
2nd-Take picture of Monster Muskie
3rd-Release Monster Muskie
4th-Have replica of Monster Muskie made
5th-never swim in that lake again!

[Lee Borgersen]

Woody,

What about the poop in your pants? I think that should be taken care of on your things to do list.
Maybe like #6 

[Cody Gruchow]

lol woody i think you should take some extra towels and wet wipes with you when you go fishing. lol

[HD]

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[3willy]

take some pics and let it go to grow into the state record and try to catch that one.

[deadeye]

I'll let you guys know when it happens.

[UncleDave]

I have released EVERY large fish I've ever caught, so I wouldn't feel guilty if I decided to mount a fish of a lifetime regardless of species.  For some reason muskies seem to get this stigma attached that you are evil if you decide to harvest one for some reason.  Keep ONE and enjoy the mount for many decades.

[GirlGuide]

I'm with Uncle Dave on this one.  I would keep it and mount it.  I release big fish all the time, especially on Mille Lacs.  So if I caught a fish of a lifetime, I see nothing wrong with keeping it and enjoying it for the rest of my life.  gg

[Fish Guide]

For me as well, after all of the fish I release, clients release etc etc etc , keeping a monster for the wall --the real thing is no problem for me.  Realistically how much longer will that fish live anyway and the odds of anyone..let alone a kid catching it again are extremely slim. 

[HD]

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[Super Star!]

For me as well, after all of the fish I release, clients release etc etc etc , keeping a monster for the wall --the real thing is no problem for me.  Realistically how much longer will that fish live anyway and the odds of anyone..let alone a kid catching it again are extremely slim. 

how do you know what the odds are?? If everone took ever fish they cought what would be left for are grandkids kids?? you being a fish guide i would think you would be promoting catch and release??

I was told once that you can tell if a fish is healthy by the shape of his fins. if thats true i have not seen to many healthy fish.

I for one release most all my fish unless they are half dead like some trout. when im trapping i also release tons of animals a year.. small coons, smaller fox, small yotes. other animals i dont want.

[Fish Guide]

superstar,
First of all I was using the phrase "odds" loosely, but from what I know about huge/trophy fish is the odds are LOW--certainly NOT HIGH.  If they weren't, everyone reading this could easily claim to have caught many 52" fish without any effort at all.  It's fairly simple,  most fish get big as a result of low fishing pressure (ie any fly in lake), adequete food sources, a lake that can support all stages of life through any season, and last but not least catch and release. 
I promote CR to everyone 24/7/365, --especially since I clean everyones fish as part of the trip.  So dont think for a minute I dont preach CR or practice CR.  Every week I find myself explaining to someone why they should put back any large spawner when they wanna keep it so bad they are darn near crying. Ultimately they decide, some go back, some dont.  My grandparents were your classic "fill the bucket" everytime anglers, so you dont have to give me any advice on what/what not to do to save fish for the grandkids--because I am one.
Not sure about your fin trick and it has nothing to do with my post.  Sick fish or released fish live how long?  Not sure--depends on the fish and environment-- but go to Mille Lacs after a hot calm weekend and start counting the floaters. 
 

[Fish Guide]

Hunterdown,  I did not say that kids cannot catch a trophy fish, I've seen it happen dozens of times and all kinds of fish.  I was referring the original question about a certain 52" muskie being release--that simply it will not be caught numerous times at 52".  Your right, I have'nt met your kid, and you haven't met my three boy as well (ages 3-11) And yes they all catch a pile of fish big and small with help and on their own.  I doubt most 52" muskies are going to be caught 12 times by anyone?  (first of all the fish will only be 52" for a year or so and as they grow will be more tempting for any angler to keep) The point I was trying to make with the kid example was referring to that the same 52" muskie being caught time and time again alone is slim, (yes it's slightly possible) and even slimmer of it happening by the line a 5 year old is holding off the dock. 

[tripnchip]

This is somthing that is up to each indevidual and their choice should not be condemed. Personaly I don't see what the big hopala is about having to catch the bigest fish  or a limit every time we go fishing. Fishing is a recreation and sport to be enjoyed not a compition. I would venture to say every record that has been caught has been caught by someone out enjoying the sport not someone with the soul intention of catching a record. Seems to me all sports are getting to competative and focused on having to get somthing big. Man just  go enjoy yourself and let the guy next door do the same. When you think about that 52 incher maybe doing more damage by eating or injurying more future record fish then the occational angler does by keeping him.

[GuideGirlsMom]

AMEN to U Trip--well said!!!     GGM

[Duckslayer]

If I caught a 52" Muskie, I'd:

1st-Poop my pants
2nd-Take picture of Monster Muskie
3rd-Release Monster Muskie
4th-Have replica of Monster Muskie made
5th-never swim in that lake again!

I would have to add in at #4 go to car and get clean underwear out of glove box.  Have to keep them in there so that mom would not be embarrased.  Always have to have a clean pair according to mom so I keep a clean pair in there because depending on the car accident the ones I had on may not be clean afterwards!

Right on Trip!

Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[HD]

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[Super Star!]

Just want to say thanks for the attack, I didn't say anything darogitory.
This is a family orentated web site, if you wish to take shots at me, do it in the saloon.

Spelling maybe a little off, but you catch the drift.


Hunter

I would say he sure told us...LMAO

I was told to pick your battles this one i will walk from...

[Cody Gruchow]

guys guys i didnt want this post to turn into a big arguement. everyone has there preference and everyone has there right either release it or keep it.

[GirlGuide]

I agree with buckhuntercody....NOBODY should be condemmed for thier own personal choice~bottom line!

gg

[Spinach]

This is a discussion and people will have different opinions, some will just state there choice and some will try to explain why they feel like they do. Just remember, none of this is personal.

As an outsiders point of view, i really did not see anything bad about Fish Guides posts towards SS or hunter, although they got a tad bit personal with the kid comments. I think he was only answering your questions directly and backing up his opinion with his replies.

I honestly did not see any attacking, maybe i missed it somewhere?

Not saying i'm right either, just my opinion on that subject.

This is definitely a touchy topic for most Outdoorsman, there really is no wrong answer. As long as your legal and not breaking any laws or regulations, it's fine with me.

I personally would not care one way or another if someone did a replica or kept the fish, I don't target Muskie, so thats why i would do the replica.

Now, if that was a 32" Walleye or 18" crappie, I'd lean towards the real thing.

Heres a related question for all of you....... Going with the same topic question, how would you feel if someone kept that same 52+ Muskie and ate it? That outta stir the pot even more.

[HD]

Very well said trip, cody and gg, I agree with you all.

It is a matter of choice, the point is to go out and have fun!



Hunter

[Cody Gruchow]

hmm keep the fish and eat it then get a replica made...sounds like a heck of a deal lol ive had muskie before and i do have to say i thought it was great.

[Super Star!]

your ganna eat a muskie??? nasty slimy muskie what???