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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | I know the 50 inch mark is the ultimate goal for most musky hunters. I have been fishing musky for 17 years and never bagged a 50 inch fish. I have buddies that have fished far fewer hours with a 50 under their belt. I consider myself a decent fisherman and have a few near 50 in my boat but the magic number has eluded me. In fact, to be honest, I don't think I have ever had a 50 inch fish follow. I know my odds would be greater if I fished better water. I have never been to Canada or Minnesota and mostly fish the Fox Chain. I am not discouraged and still think I will break the spell but I must admit I have to question my fishing style, lure choice, and a little luck. Anyone out there have a longer dry spell without a 50? I am sure there are better sticks than me that seem stuck in the upper 40's. This could be the year as I have my first week long trip to Minnesota planned...or maybe not. I just plain love the sport but it would sure boost my ego. Anyone else in the same boat? hj |
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| I have be musky fishing for 6 summers so far and no 50" to my list. 47.5" tops my list.
Although, between MN and LOTW, I cannot even count how many 50"ers I have had follow.
Midge |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have a number of 50" plus fish, and a few over my 'personal' magic mark, too. It's time on the water, plain and simple, and fishing water that holds a decent population of big girls. One of my recent 50's was a Wisconsin small lake fish, and I'm betting if I had the time to put in on that water, I'd get another. The Fox Chain has put out a few, so it might just happen for you there. |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | For me - How many years w/o a 50? All of 'em! hahahaha
But I don't care, I'm having fun.
K. |
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Posts: 36
| 15 years and still waiting.
Nick |
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Posts: 572
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all of them...somewhere around 20 years. a 50 in Missouri is hard to come by.
10 trips to Ontario with one really fat 49 incher.
hope to break that record this summer.
Muskie Bob
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Posts: 466
Location: Pittsburgh, PA | 3 years, ive seen 2, one that was without a doubt there, one that was probably there or darn close. im gonna get one of those big girls this year. i just need to get on the water more than 20 days this year. |
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| It took me a year of serious time on the water in big fish waters to bag my first 5-0. I've boated a couple dozen with just over half my own 50 inch fish but my two largest are 51.5 by 36# & 52 by 42#. Still lookin' for that super tanker that sworrall has slain many a time!
I have two buddies that have been doin it for over 25 years (28 I think) w/o a fifty. It is my (our) goal to get them one this year! Great luck all!
JK |
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| I started fishing for muskies on and off since I was 15, and it took me until age 39 to catch my first 50+ and that is still my biggest fish to date. Fishing big fish waters made the difference for me!  |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | 8 years for me. Like the guy's have said, you got to be on big fish water and like Mr. Worrall said, sometimes that could be a small lake that has almost zero pressure. I know of a WR class fish that swim's in a ~150 acre lake. After I saw her, I figured there was no way she'd easily fit in my old Husky Muskie, so I bought a Beckman Magnum XD Fin Saver Pen just for her. If you really want to boost your percentage's, go to where the big girl's live. I think part of the problem with big fish in lakes like the Fox Chain is that the majority of the over 40" fish are are eventually caught and not released, i.e., walleye or bass fisherman, and yes even muskie fisherman. Given the low percentage of big fish in average pressured water, the odd's are definitely stacked against you.
Good luck in your quest.
Al |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | I have been chasing these things for 30 years and got my first 50+ two years ago at the Sabaskong Bay Outing, If your fishing the Fox Chain you are really cutting your odd's of a 50 not that it can't happen there have been a few caught in recent years, up your chances by fishing some of the Southern Wisc Lakes and plan trips to some known big fish water
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| 28 years. DOH!
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | 10+ years. No fitty for me. Had a bunch follow, got a 49", lost a +50 that same day.....the stories go on and on. I'll get her sooner or later. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | all of them! This year will do it for me, I know! Even breaking 48 would be just fine and dandy. m |
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Posts: 2068
| HJ,
Been serious for 5 years and have yet to crack 50, but I will get one in the next three no doubt in my mind! Move way to many big fish on LOTW for one not to go. If you plan a trip I highly recommend LOTW hard to beat for action and size. We all know there are lakes in MN with monster fish but they can be tough! I have never had a bad week on LOTW tons of 36-44" fish to keep ya interested until ol big shows up.... and she will. Saw one that scared me last year it was 55 if it was an inch! |
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| 5 years and I havent shattered 40 inches!!!! |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | took me roughly 22 years since i made my first cast with that brown mepps musky killer and that old pool cue. now im going on 3 years since i caught mine, i hope to end the streak this year! |
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Posts: 172
| 10 years, got them up to 49.5 too. boat partners ive been "teaching" have blown several 50's over the years out of my boat.
someday.
-MNmatt |
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Posts: 1086
| 23 years and counting...no 50 incher yet. 48" is the biggest to date.
I agree with Sorenson...I'm having a blast regardless. |
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | I caught my first legal 20 years ago (age 13) and still no 50. I’ve been serious for 9 years since my 1st boat and truck. 4 trips to LOTW with another planned for 05. Also adding a Mille Lacs trip this fall. I’m going to spend as much time as possible on trophy waters this season. Cracking the magical 50” mark will be great but I appreciate each and every fish that visits my boat each season regardless of size |
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Posts: 87
Location: Wauwatosa, WI | fishing many years and have been close a few times(49), but not the magic 50.
bob ryan |
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Posts: 2024
| 4 serious years and I've managed a 48" as my PB. Lost a true hawg 50" on LOTW in 2003 and saw one last summer that was pushing that magical mark. As others have said, I really don't care if it's a 30"er or a 50"er. I'm just out to catch fish. This year though, I'm going to do as much as possible to break that barrier. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | I had a good year . ( A 50,51.5 and 48) Befor that a 49 was the biggest |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Hey Teck...
Nice to see you back on the board, hope you're recovering well...
Take care, Tom... |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Welcome back Teck |
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Posts: 5874
| Teck!! Glad to see you've recovered enough to be here.
I've been muskie fishing on purpose for about 12 years. 47.5 is my PB, which I've done several times. I've had some 50's+ follow, and lost, including one that Brian Major said was all of 55+ on LOTW. That fish made my knees weak, and the heart flutter!
My son Eric got a big pig 2 years ago with me. I measured it at 49.5, but looking at pics, the tail had at least 2" lying on the floor of the boat. I'm saying it was a 50. That fish also made the knees shake! |
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Posts: 56
| I've been addicted to musky fishing for nearly 40 years. Ever since my grandpa took me fishing for his favorite fish I've dreamed of catching bigger and bigger fish. Throughout the years I've been blessed to fish a lot of great water throughout Wisconsin and most of NW Ontario. I have caught many fish in the 45 - 48 inch range, but I have yet to break the 50" mark. One of the fish I caught measured 47½" with a mutilated tail that definately shortened what could have put the measurement close to the 50" mark. I've had friends tell me they I should say I did catch that "magical 50 incher" because of the tail condition. Although I understand their motives are pure, I won't do that for two reasons. First, the fish was what it was. A dandy 47½ fish that had a tail that looked like a space mutant's hand from a sci-fi movie. Secondly, I refuse to bow to the seemingly implied notion that the "ultimate success" for a musky fisherman is catching a 50 incher. Sure, I would love to catch a 50 incher.. and a 51, 52....
I don't fish in the name of measuring up to someone elses' standards. It's sad for me to see evidence on this message board and other boards, as well as in magazines and seminars that a measurement of a set length equals some kind of implied success and status. I think I can speak for many other musky addicts when I say that fishing does not include a measurement standard set by others. We fish because we love to fish and what we do and what we catch is the way life goes. My wife will never say she is a musky fisherwoman. Although I've tried taking her with me many times, the stars and moon, and whatever else needed, have to be just right before she'll come with. That's what she is and that's okay. The only musky she's ever caught measured 52 inches and probably weighed close to 40 pounds. Does that put her above me or others? Of course it doesn't. My point is that fishing for the fish you love is about doing just that. Fishing. What you get is what you get. What you are is what you are. I can't wait for the upcoming season because that is what I am.
Steve |
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Posts: 5874
| Steve,
Well Said!
While 50" seems to the bar right now, I remember my Dad talking about 4 footers, back in the 60's. Is there too much emphasis put on the 50" mark. Maybe. But any fish in my boat constitutes a good day. Heck, sometimes I'm glad just to say I had a follow! Can't fo that with any other species, now can we. |
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Location, location, location.....
I think the magic 50" mark carries more wieght in some places then in others....Canada 50 vs fox chain 50 (although not an easy task...is much easier then a fox chain 50)
Steve mentioned someone who is better then you because they caught a 50.....I look at it a little differently in assessing someones prowess/skill
If someone consistently puts 42-46 inch fish in there boat out of the maidson chain....I am impressed....consistency carries a lot of wieght....I much rather learn from this guy then someone that has caught a 50 from the mad-chain...but only 2 other fish over 40 inches....not trying to slam anyone...but trying to add to Steves comment about the 50inch badge gives you status.....Would I be pee green with envy of someone who caught a 50 out of the madison chain...heck ya....but would be more impress with someone that got like 6 over 45 in one season out of the Madison chain....now that shows some skill...
I have been VERY lucky to have gotten 2 over 50...but I know of a LOT of fisherman personally that are much better muskie fisherman then I....but haven't cracked the 50....I still consider them better then me....
Cory
Edited by C.Painter 2/18/2005 2:51 PM
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| I have two over 50, both of which came from IL waters. The fox and Shelbyville produced them for me. I have since gotten more in special areas of canada the past 4 years or so, but attribute them to the area for the most part. However I went for 8 or 9 years before I scored a 50......Ben |
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Posts: 212
Location: Madison, WI | It took me along time to break 40". 44" is the personal best. 14 years and counting..........
I know there have been 50+ inch fish behind my baits. Maybe even a 60". That fish even made Herbie speechless for a few moments. |
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| My PB is 41 inches and i started 2 years ago
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Posts: 663
| I have to agree with some of the other posters. There is way too much emphasis on catching a 50". It' sort of like weekend golfers going out and expecting to consistently nail a hole in one every few outings. It just doesn't happen that often. Many of the waters that we all fish are not protected with high enough size limits to allow fish to grow to that size. Even if you go to "big fish waters" you have no guarantee that a 50" is going to jump your bait. Of course the odds improve (just like a golfer playing on short courses) but even under the best conditions a 50" fish is not the norm. I've heard some guys moan that they only caught a mid-40's fish and are disapointed. That's a shame. Expectations become very high when fishermen read articles and go to seminars where the talk of big fish makes it sound like there's one around every corner. Like some of the other guys have implied I get excited at every darn fish that bends a rod in my boat. Do I like to go after the big girls? You bet I do but I realize that those are the exception (where I do most of my fishing) rather than the norm. To answer the original question it took me about 9 years to get one over 50. |
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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | I don't want to give the impression I am complaining. I was just curious. It is my goal but not reaching it hasn't stopped me from enjoying the sport one bit. I appreciate every fish and experience that come my way. 50 is a goal but will never make or break my year. |
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Posts: 814
| 5 years and counting still no 50. this year hopefully with everything i have learned i will change that but until then????
personal best is a 441/2  |
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Posts: 148
Location: DES MOINES, IOWA | 44 years Actually had to give up serious fishing for a lot of years with raising 2 families.No money available for dad's hobbies with 6 kids,and child support.However,last 8 years have got back into it,and still haven't cracked a 50 in my boat.Son's 48 is boat best,but heaviest is two 46 1/2s I caught.I'm still not getting the time on the water for Muskies,because of living in Iowa.Wish I lived back up in Minnesota again.I'm jealous of you guys that are close to so many good Musky lakes. |
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Posts: 90
Location: Florence, Wisconsin | All of my years I am sad to say. I think this is my year though. Good luck to all.
Hammerhandle |
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Posts: 32
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio | I have fished for muskies heavy for 3 years. Last year I caught a 54.25 incher in Mn.- it is still swimming in Mille Lacs. Hence the term blindsquirrel. I hope to beat that fish in my life as far as size. Gregg Thomas is one heck of great guide! I hope that all of those who read this have some of my luck rub off. My partner says I have a horse shoe stuffed in my shorts and a four leaf clover tattoed on my butt when we go fishing. This is most likely the case I hate to say as I can make no claims to being a great fisheman but I put fishies in the boat often enough to be happy. Many great fisherman have not been lucky to crack the 50 inch barrier,. Good luck and catch a Monster! |
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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Starting my 6th year and still 0. But I had to wait 5 to break 40 and 45, so who knows what will happen... |
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How Many Years Without a 50?