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| All I have read about is how ON FIRE the Cave has been this springf then I see the leaderboard and chuckle. Here in MN we shake off fish under 35 inches so we don't have to waste time unhooking them. The site of a judge boat srambling to measure a 31.25" muskie must be histerical. I would think with all the respected muskie pros in Kentucky they would raise the lenght limit. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | DJS,
The length limit for the Cave Run tournament is not much different than many others in the country. Usually an event uses the legal limit at the time on the body of water fished. Far as I know, Pros have little to do with the legal length limit on any one body of water, so that shouldn't be an issue.
I am happy to catch ANY Muskie no matter where I fish. A 35" fish may not be huge, but even those can be a challenge some days and are worthy of the same respect a 45 commands IMHO. If one was in the Cave Run tournament and caught a 31" fish I bet one would be even happier. The fact there are anglers on the water fishing muskies NOW indicates there are many basic differences between Minnesota and Kentucky waters, not the least of which is location.
The Cave HAS been hot this Spring. There have been multiple fish caught between 45 and 54", which bodes well for the fishery. It's pretty obvious the fishing was very challenging yesterday. I have seen events in Minnesota where there were just a few small fish caught too, an awful lot depends on conditions and how the fish are hitting.
Hopefully the Cave will turn on today. It's anybody's to win if the big fish show! |
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| You are right the fishing certainly has been HOT. However at least a tournament winner in MN can be satisfied in knowing that he/she has caught a mature quality 40"+ fish. I also agree even catching a small fish can some times be tough but I don't think any other kind of tourney such as bass, walleye, etc. has such comparatively small fish count as a legal catch. I am also not exactly sure how the scoring works but if 2 30" fish beat a 42" fish that would be a crime! |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | A tournament legal is a tournament legal. The size is chosen from what the area allows, simple as that. In fact, a 30" minimum causes one to plan the team attack on the water considering whether the event will be won with low 30" fish, or will the 40" class fish move, and take the event easily.. Look at the leaderboard, the points can be figured out easily there. There are LOTS of 40' plus fish in the Cave. If they turn on, there will be a bunch registered. What difference does it make if the winning fish (plural, will take more than two to win it) are all under 40"? Fact is, the winners will have caught more than those who did not win.
Keep in mind the fishery there does not support natural reproduction, and is NOT comparable to waters here in the North. The area is doing pretty well with CPR philosophy (obviously, look at the pigs caught there this Spring) and will continue to work towards more trophy availability.
By the way, many Walleye tournaments across the midwest allow a 15" minimum, but most anglers don't intentionally target only the small fish because they usually won't cash a check with a limit of 15s. |
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| i will agree that most of the northern skis are bigger than yours on average but hell our largemouth are bigger and you don't hear southern bassers talking of shaking off 15 inchers. your post was just kinda rude. |
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Posts: 384
Location: Eagle River, Alaska | I'd have to agree with the last comment. For years most bass tournaments minimum were certainly not considered a "large" or even "medium" size fish....but, hey, they are a legal fish and count in tournments. Kind of a condescending attitude to take. I've caught king salmon up here that could eat most musky but you know, one of my most memorable fish was a comparatively small 15 lber. I find all fish fun to catch regardless of size.
Brian |
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| Baby muskies are as good as 40 pounders. When I catch a 10" its basically a 70 incher only younger. Also, the baby muskies teeth are as sharp as I am not. Being that they are blooded animals, it reminds of being at home. Slimy too resembling most of my friends. |
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| LOLX9,999 Marcus!!! A genuine GOODER ONE DUDE!  |
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Posts: 724
Location: Southern W.Va. | If one was to have a contest on Lake Of The Woods where the limit is 54" would it even be won? Would any fish over the 54" limit be caught in tough conditions? So with this in mind think about what little musky water we have in the "south". We don't have 300 lake in a hundred mile radius that we can choose from . Check out Tony Grants record fish from the "Cave" or the fish taken at the Spring Outing shown of the first web page of MuskieFirst. These are not small fish IMHO. I'm glad that you catch 35"ers so often that you don't want to touch the slimy things. Me, I'm just happy to catch even 1 and gladly turn it loose with a thank you for each one that I am lucky enough to catch. I wish you the best and I hope that you don't have to bother with those little 35"er ever again.
C.J. Cantley aka Mauser |
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