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Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Wondering about size. What's your personal best? I got in an argument with my friend about what the average Muskie fishermans personal best is. I have caught many fish over the last 10 years that have pushed the 50 mark but have came up just short(49.5 my PB). My side of the argument is most fishermans PB is under 50, I very well could be wrong. |
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Location: MN | 54.5" for this guy! I can still visualize that fish eating my phantom 10 feet from the boat. |
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Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Very nice Tim! |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | gotta say it's nice being able to click that last button! |
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Location: Minnesota. | Tim Schmitz - 5/11/2012 9:52 AM
54.5" for this guy! I can still visualize that fish eating my phantom 10 feet from the boat.
Holy crap! Yeah, VERY nice indeed! I couldn't imagine, THAT close to the boat....!!!! Wow.
Jeremy. |
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Location: Hayward, WI | I'm surprised to see the last option in the lead. I would have also guessed a lot more would have their best under 50 than over. Everyone on here must be from MN.  I had to click the 48-49 option with my best at 48.
Tucker |
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| It's all just bar talk. It has more to do with what bodies of water the fishermen fish most often and what those lakes are most likely capable of for overall size of the fish. Some bodies of water, a 47 or a 48 inch fish is the trophy for that body of water. Some bodies of water, are capable of producing larger fish and therefore...the 50+ inch fish...or even the 52+ inch fish are the trophies for that given body of water.
It's comparing apples to oranges.
It doesn't make one fishermen better than the next to say that Joe Schmoe over there has a 52+ personal best as John Doe over here only has a 48" fish as his personal best, being the two fishermen fish two completely different bodies of water which have two completely different capabilities of producing such fish.
Carry on. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | it's really nothing more then a combination of where you fish, where you live, how much you fish, and how lucky you are and probably lastly on the totem pole how good you are....
I think consistency far more defines how good an angler is as opposed to a personal best.... |
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Location: Smith Creek | How about PB by strain? Or state/province?
How many factored in the "Kevin Equation" for measuring their PB? |
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| MACK - 5/11/2012 10:48 AM
It doesn't make one fishermen better than the next to say that Joe Schmoe over there has a 52+ personal best as John Doe over here only has a 48" fish as his personal best, being the two fishermen fish two completely different bodies of water which have two completely different capabilities of producing such fish.
Carry on.
Especially when Joe Schmoe had to hire a guide to get the 50+. Then he thinks he's good. |
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| Lots of jealous people out there. H |
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Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Im well aware geographic location can greatly impact the numbers. I guess I could have formed the poll a little better. All the comments are relevant though. I live on a lake where my personal best is as common as a 55 in some lakes. Thanks for the input. I'm still curious with all those factors if the above/below 50 mark evens out.
With around 50 votes in it looks like my original assumption is far off. Or people are not liking casting a vote for a "small" fish. My personal best was once under 40, long time ago, but still was my PB.
Edited by esox1980 5/11/2012 11:13 AM
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| Homer - 5/11/2012 10:55 AM
Lots of jealous people out there. H
yep. i agree. |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | 48.5 caught on chippewa river I've lost bigger but so far she's the biggest in net got her last sep. Russ |
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| Who's jealous?
We all hold a vastly different list of priorities in life.
For me....the trophy I'm aiming for doesn't have anything do to with the fishes overall size. I couldn't care less. For me, the trophy I'm fishing for is for my two kids to catch their first and to have the photos taken to visually remember that very special moment with that very special fish. Could be a couple of 28 inchers for all I care. Those will be trophies.
For me...it's not about catching the biggest fish in the system. Heck...for me...it's not even about catching fish. Anymore these days...I couldn't care less if a single fish is boated. It's more about getting away from the city, getting away from the office, getting away from the rush and stress of daily life to just simply get out on the water to enjoy some quiet time.
Again...everyone views trophies completely differently. Different priorities. Different strokes for different folks.
The comment on the hiring of the guide to get the big fish...wow...completely different topic. Look at the angler that caught the 60" X 29-1/2" guided by Captain Rich Clark of Sign Man Charters. That was that anglers first muskie. Who knows...might be his first and last. :shrug: Where and how does that angler fit in the spectrum of the totem pole of anglers chasing personal bests?
A whole 'nother can of worms this topic typically becomes.
Way too many different variables. Again: Bar talk.
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| MACK - 5/11/2012 11:26 AM
Who's jealous?
We all hold a vastly different list of priorities in life.
For me....the trophy I'm aiming for doesn't have anything do to with the fishes overall size. I couldn't care less. For me, the trophy I'm fishing for is for my two kids to catch their first and to have the photos taken to visually remember that very special moment with that very special fish. Could be a couple of 28 inchers for all I care. Those will be trophies.
For me...it's not about catching the biggest fish in the system. Heck...for me...it's not even about catching fish. Anymore these days...I couldn't care less if a single fish is boated. It's more about getting away from the city, getting away from the office, getting away from the rush and stress of daily life to just simply get out on the water to enjoy some quiet time.
Again...everyone views trophies completely differently. Different priorities. Different strokes for different folks.
The comment on the hiring of the guide to get the big fish...wow...completely different topic. Look at the angler that caught the 60" X 29-1/2" guided by Captain Rich Clark of Sign Man Charters. That was that anglers first muskie. Who knows...might be his first and last. :shrug: Where and how does that angler fit in the spectrum of the totem pole of anglers chasing personal bests?
A whole 'nother can of worms this topic typically becomes.
Way too many different variables. Again: Bar talk.
Great post. Some of my best fishing memories come from days with little or no fish boated. Enjoy your time on the water regardless of how the fishing goes. |
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| MACK - 5/11/2012 11:26 AM
Who's jealous?
We all hold a vastly different list of priorities in life.
For me....the trophy I'm aiming for doesn't have anything do to with the fishes overall size. I couldn't care less. For me, the trophy I'm fishing for is for my two kids to catch their first and to have the photos taken to visually remember that very special moment with that very special fish. Could be a couple of 28 inchers for all I care. Those will be trophies.
For me...it's not about catching the biggest fish in the system. Heck...for me...it's not even about catching fish. Anymore these days...I couldn't care less if a single fish is boated. It's more about getting away from the city, getting away from the office, getting away from the rush and stress of daily life to just simply get out on the water to enjoy some quiet time.
Again...everyone views trophies completely differently. Different priorities. Different strokes for different folks.
The comment on the hiring of the guide to get the big fish...wow...completely different topic. Look at the angler that caught the 60" X 29-1/2" guided by Captain Rich Clark of Sign Man Charters. That was that anglers first muskie. Who knows...might be his first and last. :shrug: Where and how does that angler fit in the spectrum of the totem pole of anglers chasing personal bests?
A whole 'nother can of worms this topic typically becomes.
Way too many different variables. Again: Bar talk.
Why post this if you are not jealous? Proves the point. Geez. |
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Location: WI | Results may be a little skewed toward the bigger fish. When your PB is under 45", ppl might not want to be "compared" to the folks rightfully choosing the bottom option. My PB happens to be in the 2nd shortest catagory.  |
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Posts: 477
| My personal Best is a 49.5, and it isn't from a lack of trying either. How many fish have you seen that measure exactly 50 inches, yet the lunge log and release boards are FULL of 50 inch fish. Am I disapointed that my PB didn't stretch the tape to 50, yes a little, but the fish are only getting bigger and maybe this will be my year. |
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Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Emptynet - 5/11/2012 12:40 PM
Results may be a little skewed toward the bigger fish. When your PB is under 45", ppl might not want to be "compared" to the folks rightfully choosing the bottom option. My PB happens to be in the 2nd shortest catagory. :-(
My thoughts exactly, I guess some people are ashamed their fish might not measure up to the percentage of people with larger fish. Thanks for the honesty, I'm going to loose my bet with my friend but I also know some hardcore fisherman are voting. Most novice or beginners aren't burning time on Muskie forms like us nuts. |
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| Homer i think your missing mack's point. All he i saying is dont get cuaght up in the chest pumping that is musky fihing these days. Have fun My personal best 42. I guess im not that good of an angler. I have fun thou. A mask, some brewskis, and some dirty white boys!!! thats how I roll. |
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| Homer - 5/11/2012 11:33 AM
Why post this if you are not jealous? Proves the point. Geez.
Heavily misguided individual. If it makes you feel good to think so? COOL! :thumbsup: Whatever floats your boat.
You're at a much different stage of your fishing hobby/career/interest than I. After 30 some years of fishing....certain things become less important in life. I used to think this kind of stuff was important to me. And at one time, in my earlier years, it was. But it isn't any longer.
I just posted in here with the idea that we see this same topic year after year after year on all of the fishing sites, no matter the species, no matter the site. It's a dead beaten horse that turns into nothing more than chest thumping game.
To each their own... |
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Location: Minnesota. | Funny how a topic can go to H-LL in a hurry.
I fly fish - a lot - from trout to panfish, bass, pike and the occasional muskie. On a home FF forum a general mood/quote is oft paraphrased..."Many'a fisherman spend their entire lives fishing without realizing it's not the fish they're after."
I like it!
Jeremy. |
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Location: Money, PA | 53 = PB.......Oh but how the fish I lost on the Pickerel River years ago still exists vividly in my memory. Easily 50+ lbs and engulphed an 11" Jimmy jerkbait T-boned and GONE! The monster's head was at least that wide. I'll never forget how it seemed to look as white as a ghost, kinda like me just a few minutes after the short battle. One of the reasons I'm still hooked today. |
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| If half you guys spent as much time fishing as you do worrying about what everybody else does, you'd probably ALL be able to check that last box... |
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Location: Hayward, WI | esoxaddict - 5/11/2012 1:35 PM
If half you guys spent as much time fishing as you do worrying about what everybody else does, you'd probably ALL be able to check that last box...
I do quite a bit of the 1st part of your sentence and very little of the 2nd, and I am still a couple boxes away from checking the last box...
Are you able to check the last box?  |
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| I completely agree with MACK.
A 51"er on Larry and a 51" on Lake Minocqua are two TOTALLY different accomplishments. A six fish day on Ballard in Vilas County and a six fish day on some low density lake in Canada are two totally different accomplishments.
Hard to compare. |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Personal Best?.... 120 +13/20 So there.
It's all relative and I would agree with MACK on this...very well spoken my friend, and spot on!! There is much more to being out there than largest or longest fish. Whatever any of you have caught for your largest fish I say congratulations and great job on getting it to the boat!!
Steve
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| curleytail - 5/11/2012 1:41 PM
esoxaddict - 5/11/2012 1:35 PM
If half you guys spent as much time fishing as you do worrying about what everybody else does, you'd probably ALL be able to check that last box...
I do quite a bit of the 1st part of your sentence and very little of the 2nd, and I am still a couple boxes away from checking the last box...
Are you able to check the last box? : )
I can't check any of the boxes - I fish with guides and friends, so my fish don't count. Not sure what the guide deduction is as far as length, but I'm using lures that I heard about from someone else, and rods and reels I heard about from someone else. Whatever I do as far as lure selection and casting and how I work the lures came from a combination of internet forums, magazines, books, TV shows and whatever various guides have shown me or taught me. When you factor all of that in, I think my fish (despite their actual length) average about 9-1/2". Except that I didn't actually find them myself, which I think puts me into the negative as far as length. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Yes, it's no wonder folks visit waters like Mille Lacs, the Big V, Leech, Rowan, LOTW, the Larry, Claire, Minnetonka, the Bay of GreenBay, and a few others with camera batteries fully charged. For many, the opportunities to catch fish of magnum proportions are available on home waters of much smaller acreages then those listed above, but when you accomplish that feat, the whole area hears about it. There are an aweful lot of good sticks who fish these smaller local ponds, for instance, around my neck of the woods in Lake Country area of SE Wisconsin or Madison, Wisconsin, but they can usually count on one or two hands how many 50"+ fish they've caught on these waters, if any. Some of these very same anglers have visited the above mentioned lakes and can say in a 3-day to a 10-day trip, they caught as many or more 50"+ fish as they have here at home in the last 20 years...
Waters matter, plain and simple, but what doesn't matter is what the next guy caught. It's cheesy, BUT true, it's all about what you get out of it. I love the above quote that ..."Many'a fisherman spend their entire lives fishing without realizing it's not the fish they're after." from Jeremy.
We fish for arguably the largest predatory game fish in the world, well, aside from cats, so as sorry as I am to say it, we'll never escape the chest thumping mentality some folks have.
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Location: Chisholm, MN | I'll admit that when the last time this poll came up a year or two ago that I was hesitant to check a box because my pb was 4 inches lower than 50. I would venture to guess that a guy who has 50 or better will check that box a lot quicker than a guy with a pb of less than 50. This time around I had no hesitation to check the 50 box! |
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Location: Illinois | My personal best is 47.5, but I've been guided to bigger.
No box to check I'm stuck between 46-47 and the 48-49,
but I rounded down for this poll.
I'm interested in learning PB's from acquaintances only. Not to find out whose is biggest, but to learn where when and how if possible. Then I file it away maybe never to use.
Whatever the "average" PB is out there, and how I measure up to it, couldn't mean less to me. Only if I caught the WR, then I'd guess it matters- a little. |
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Posts: 56
| As some of you noted, you really can't conclude anything generally from your poll. Most of the guys who jump right in and vote are the guys who are all fired up about their "PB"--see Homer. You are getting a small sample of guys who are really proud of their 50" fish and want everyone to know about it.
There's nothing wrong with that, but I guarantee you the vast majority of musky fishing people would be lucky to say 45" is a PB.
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Location: Northern New Jersey | where do i enter "haven't caught one yet"??? |
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| Highly unscientific poll at best, so I wonder why someone would be afraid to post their real PB, seeing as how it's an anonmous vote. I was stuck on 47.5" for about 10 years. I was certainly never ashamed of those 3 fish, or any other fish I had caught. I thank every fish we catch for coming to visit me and my partners that day.
If you are ashamed to vote that you haven't reached the "magical" 50"+ mark, I would ask why? It's not like anybody would know how you voted? Unless Worrall and Zach are keeping secret tabs on who votes how!
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Location: Manitowish Waters WI | Wow, very interesting what happens when you ask people to click a button. If I would of guessed or thought this would of produced such a negative discussion I would not have. I apologize for asking. |
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Location: Hopefully on the water | 47.5 for me. It is what it is. Someday I will get a shot at a 50 but until then that is where I am at and happy with it. You have to pee with the tools the good lord gave you, no hidding that. why try to embelish it on a fish.
May many PB be broken this year. Good luck fishing. |
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Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | esoxaddict - 5/11/2012 2:19 PM
curleytail - 5/11/2012 1:41 PM
esoxaddict - 5/11/2012 1:35 PM
If half you guys spent as much time fishing as you do worrying about what everybody else does, you'd probably ALL be able to check that last box...
I do quite a bit of the 1st part of your sentence and very little of the 2nd, and I am still a couple boxes away from checking the last box...
Are you able to check the last box? : )
I can't check any of the boxes - I fish with guides and friends, so my fish don't count. Not sure what the guide deduction is as far as length, but I'm using lures that I heard about from someone else, and rods and reels I heard about from someone else. Whatever I do as far as lure selection and casting and how I work the lures came from a combination of internet forums, magazines, books, TV shows and whatever various guides have shown me or taught me. When you factor all of that in, I think my fish (despite their actual length ) average about 9-1/2". Except that I didn't actually find them myself, which I think puts me into the negative as far as length.
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So by this logic, yours says that with all that help from outside sources such as guides, friends who know that lake better than you, magazines, tv shows..ect. That you are taking inches away from actual numbers?
OK, I suppose I can understand that... but with the same logic, I have been fishing muskies for three full years and this coming season will be my fourth. So if my PB is a 45" and I fish alone most of the time, last year I used a boat with no electronics, no depth finder, no side view imaging, 12fter with a 9.9 Johnson, and only a trolling motor and my witts... using that same logic mine should be a like a 75incher right?? 
I have seen a few posts on here for people who use some kind of musky equation to count how many fish they have caught, how long each one was and how fat they all were. Now IMHO I think that is all crap... Regardless to how you found a spot, who taught you how to use a lure, what colors choice for the situation or who's boat your on... It doesn't matter... If you are the one who is making the casts, burning that blade or jerkin that lure, it's YOUR fish! No dividing or multiplying, size VS how... It is your fish. and weather your PB is a 32" or a 62" fish we should all just be glad that we're on the water fishing with friends and family while we knock back some cold ones and enjoy the scenery. Being on the lake is therapeutic (at least for me), some of my best days on the water, I didn't even boat a fish...
It is all relative and you can't really compare yourself to anyone but your inner self.. unless you are fishing with a buddy who is the same size, height, weight as you, using the same lure, in the same boat, under the same conditions casting at the same spot... I could care less if I caught 1 and my fishing partner caught 5... that's 6 in the boat and a good day on the water... and if we caught none... well it's off to the bar.. and still a good day on the water.
So esoxaddict, I'm sure that you have some nice fish under your belt, and you have some great knowledge that I have learned from over the last few months. so for that I thank you..
Keep on keepin strong!
Edited by FAT-SKI 5/11/2012 3:33 PM
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Location: Smith Creek | From one of the greatest movies ever:
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.
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Location: Minnesota | my best is a 50 x 26 i still remember that fish i was trolling rod bet right in half i thought it was a rock . pulled the rod out of the holder gave it abought 5 feet of slack thinking i had another rock. pulled still there gave it another 5 feet of slack pulled up still there . i stood up and started yanking on it like you would do if you were hung on rocks thats when i just abought #*#* my pants my line started moving . thats when i knew i had a big one out by myself no help got it to the boat and it started shacking its head i thought for shur i was going to loose it made a run put the net in the watter brought it back to the boat and scooped it in when i seen it in the net i had a hard time to stop shacking that was in 2006 still trying to beat it maybe this year |
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| What I would really be interested in knowing is how many fisherman have caught a fish that is the biggest in the lake they are on. Also, I would like to know who the fisherman are who have consistently caught fish in the top 5-10 percent on the lake they are fishing rather than the number of people who have caught a 50 something.
I would pay money to fish with someone who was constantly able to catch fish in the top 5-10 percent on any given water. That guy would be a musky genious.
What do you suppose those top 5-10 percent numbers would look like on a small northern Wisconsin lake verse the Larry or Georgian Bay?
I have had many 50 plus inch fish in the boat, but I am not sure that I have ever had the biggest musky in a lake in the boat. That is still a dream and on the bucket list. |
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Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | I would be curious to know, that if you did catch the biggest one in the lake... How would you ever know it was the biggest in the lake, without catching everyother fish in the lake, tagging all of them and measuring accordingly? If someone could figure that out... they would just be a flat out genius with a lot of time on their hands, but I would still then pay to fish with this person. |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | I caught a fish slightly bigger than what a dnr fisheries guy thinks is in the lake. Was a 48. Personally I don't think it was the biggest fish in the lake and I think it was just luck that I caught it. |
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| Yes it would be heard to know for sure that a person caught the biggest, but what if someone pulled a 50 out of Bone Lake or a 59 out of Minnetonka? Those would certainly stand a good chance of being the biggest and one could probably make claim to it without many legitamate challengers. |
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Location: Hayward, WI | esox1980 - 5/11/2012 3:13 PM
Wow, very interesting what happens when you ask people to click a button. If I would of guessed or thought this would of produced such a negative discussion I would not have. I apologize for asking.
I wouldn't worry too much. In internet world, there's a good chance most anything can turn sour. I still think this is an interesting poll. I'm not using it to judge my success, and I don't think that was the purpose of the poll. I find it interesting how many people have caught 50" and bigger fish. I'm still waiting on mine. I fish good water capable of growing 50's, even mid 50's I'm sure. Saying that, there's no disputing that premier waters in the world have a LOT higher proportion of 50's than where I fish.
In most any outdoors sport, you need to keep things in perspective. My biggest walleye is about 27 inches long and I still think that's a pretty nice fish. Guys that consistently fish Rainy River or Little Bay De Noc will catch several that size - maybe in a weekend at the right time of year. I shot a 160" buck a couple bow seasons ago. Very proud of that deer, but guys that spend serious time in the best spots in IL will see several of those a season. Doesn't mean I'm going to start holding out for 190's because they grow some in IL.
The comments about not catching fish are interesting too. I probably end the day with no fish more often than not, but I'm hoping to catch a fish, multiple fish, big fish, every time I go. If I didn't have those goals or drive to catch fish, I don't think I would spend the money on musky tackle. If it was all about being out, seeing nature, there's a lot of cheaper ways to do that. I started, and continue to fish muskies because I enjoy the challenge.
Nice to hear everyone's opinions, you just have to sort through some "filler" now and then.
Tucker |
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| 47" from Chatauqua Lake, NY for me. Caught it on a 6" Phantom, less than 10' from the boat. I'm happy catching anything over 26" or so. I don't discriminate too much. |
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Location: colorado | You Guys crack me up. I live in colorado and envy all of you that live in Musky country.(We have tigers only) This is the same stuff we rant about with Elk. 320 bulls are better then 370 bulls that are taken on private land. so and so has got one every year for the past twenty but they have been cows. Bigger bull = better hunter.Ya sure it does. Enjoy the amazing gift you have, you are living in other people's dreams.
Edited by cocathntr 5/11/2012 9:42 PM
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Location: Muskegon Michigan | 53.5 for me and 55 for my wife. we each have a 52 and a 51 she also has a 51.5, a 50.5 and three 49's. None of them were over 40 pounds. Her 55 was about 37 pounds. My 53.5 was about 34 pounds.Mike
here is a link to some of my wife's best fish. Not bad for a Girl eh?
http://www.fishall-lures.com/queenfisher.html
Edited by Kingfisher 5/12/2012 12:42 AM
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Location: Ontario | For me it was beautiful and healthy 55 Pincher on Ottawa River last fall.
My 75 year old dad caught skinny 56" fish the year before. |
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Posts: 966
| My PB is 54" on a MX6 from St.Clair
but my 2 fish that mean the most to me are a pair of 52"s from my home waters the Madison Chain. one on a Musky Magnet crank bait and the other a MX9.
Had a ton of guys catch their person bests in my boat, some maybe 34" but the smile on their face is as big as some that have caught a 48" or bigger.
Hopefully every one here gets a PB this year,
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com
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Good thread---
Just talking about this with the brother en law this week--
Talked about wanting to get the 50 inch monkey off my back----fishing all Northern WI in the youth---lots of fish---but as said above--some lakes just don't grow em that big.
Big V. since 2010 and still no 50 --close in the upper 40s-- but not quite there yet---
I have always said a 49 or 49.5 is a true trophy because it's so easy to stretch that into a 50---you have to wonder how many 48s and 49s get reported as 50s? |
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Posts: 415
| you have to wonder how many 48s and 49s get reported as 50s?
I agree. Although there is always some who are 50 that could be stretched to 51-53 with a tail pinch or if someone looks the wrong way at the bumpboard.
Edited by Ja Rule 5/12/2012 6:52 PM
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Posts: 40
| My thoughts are if you are looking for average musky fisherman then asking on this forum is the wrong place to do it. Most fisherman on here are above average sticks and especially the ones that post and don't just read everything. Just my 2 cents. |
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| It is way easier to catch larger fish now than ever before. That is the goal of cpr and stocking. I am sure each year there will be more PB's over 50 as it continues to get easier. BR |
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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | I've managed 3 fish in 4 years of this caliber with a biggest of 52". But... while catching my first was the thrill of a lifetime... I can say that my biggest pride in fishing was my 75yr old father catching his first 50+ ( a fat 51") last fall. The look on his face was priceless (a big sh** eatin grin and a hardy handshake).
Edited by muskydope 5/12/2012 9:26 PM
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Posts: 272
| I have managed three 50 or better since 2006 in the area I now live. However, only one came casting, one was an incidental caught walleye fishing before season opened and the other was caught trolling and wasn't in my boat.
While I'm pretty proud of those accomplishments, and the 8x10s on the bar downstairs are really great to look at, the two trolling fish come with an asterisk because you can't really help what bites when you're trolling, nor can you control what bites when its your turn to 'get' a rod.
And, I'm pretty happy with being graced with three supertankers in a fairly short time span, considering I don't get to fish all that much. Honestly I've been pretty lucky. I cut my teeth fishing the potholes in Vilas County where a 40"er was a dandy. Caught alot of fish, but the two regions just don't even compare in terms of size structure and potential.
The best memory I have regarding PBs is the night friends caught 47 1/2 and 49 7/8" fish respectively about 90 minutes apart in my boat. On topwater. And I lost a 45"er at the net between those two catches. That was an amazing night. I didn't even get to stick a fish, but I was still excited as a 5-year-old on Xmas morning for my friends. Both caught casting, incidentally.
I truly believe a fish caught casting "means" more than one caught trolling. Not that trolling doesn't involve skill, and not that great trollers aren't great at what they do, but casting is hand to hand, one on one. If they bit, its because of what YOU did, not because of what the boat did. I just personally feel its more of an accomplishment to catch fish casting.
-Eric |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | My PB is 54 inches and over the years I have caught a number of 50's. But where you are fishing has to be taken into the equasion. My 54 incher wouldn't even rate a second look by guys that spend a lot of time on the Larry or Georgian Bay but my home lake produces a number of 50's every year and is 5 min. from my door. I can take you to a small creek where 40 inches is a good fish and 45 is a monster but you can regularly get 10 or 12 in an afternoon. |
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So why don't we take this "formula" stuff a little further.
If you caught a fish after the invention of suprerlines take off a point.
If you caught a fish after the invention of GPS take off a point.
If you caught a fish after stocking started take off a point.
If you caught a fish after rods became longer then 7 feet take off a point.
If you caught a fish after the invention of the bow mount trolling motor take off a point.
Does anyone else think this is getting totally stupid?? This my fish means more than your fish because of "blank" stuff is so ego.
JS |
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| muskie-addict - 5/13/2012 6:36 AM
I have managed three 50 or better since 2006 in the area I now live. However, only one came casting, one was an incidental caught walleye fishing before season opened and the other was caught trolling and wasn't in my boat.
While I'm pretty proud of those accomplishments, and the 8x10s on the bar downstairs are really great to look at, the two trolling fish come with an asterisk because you can't really help what bites when you're trolling, nor can you control what bites when its your turn to 'get' a rod.
And, I'm pretty happy with being graced with three supertankers in a fairly short time span, considering I don't get to fish all that much. Honestly I've been pretty lucky. I cut my teeth fishing the potholes in Vilas County where a 40"er was a dandy. Caught alot of fish, but the two regions just don't even compare in terms of size structure and potential.
The best memory I have regarding PBs is the night friends caught 47 1/2 and 49 7/8" fish respectively about 90 minutes apart in my boat. On topwater. And I lost a 45"er at the net between those two catches. That was an amazing night. I didn't even get to stick a fish, but I was still excited as a 5-year-old on Xmas morning for my friends. Both caught casting, incidentally.
I truly believe a fish caught casting "means" more than one caught trolling. Not that trolling doesn't involve skill, and not that great trollers aren't great at what they do, but casting is hand to hand, one on one. If they bit, its because of what YOU did, not because of what the boat did. I just personally feel its more of an accomplishment to catch fish casting.
-Eric
That is interesting, having spent a good amount of time trolling out east as well as the midwest and west, the challenge and techniques to catch fish trolling has out weighted the 51 inch fish caught casting in IL and the 3 three caught casting in MN. I currently fly fish them and have yet to get a 50, that one might end up being harder work than trolling the big rivers out east. You can single out fish when trolling and constantly adjust and change to catch the fish. A mid 50 inch fish grabbing a shortlined bait that you have been targeting all day can lead to the most amazing hits, makes a figure 8 giant seem tame. BR |
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Posts: 437
| I think the most HONEST musky angler is the one who's personal best is 49.5". Why? Because I am sure the majority of the folks out there would say its a "50!".
My personal best was 6'2" and about 250#. Hooked in the back of the calf with a ghostail. |
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Posts: 833
| Mine is a 48", but my favorite was my first Figure 8 fish which came the day before and that one was only a 39. I haven't been doing this as long as most folks on here, but for me, the love of the sport is based on spending time on the water and the challenge/skill it takes to succeed. |
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| So, I'm probably going to shoot myself in the foot here, but I "think" my PB is 50.25". It's all on video with the bumper board, no cheating. Except I did pinch the tail. I was told that's how it's supposed to be done. Is this not true? If it's not, I should be able to watch the video footage and get the measurement without pinching the tail, but I'd prefer to not have to do that, lol. But I do believe the truth sets you free, so talk to me hunters! |
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| Tail pinching isn't cheating. Don't let anyone tell you that it is. If they do they're misinformed. Pinching the tail gets you what is called TOTAL LENGTH in the fisheries world. It is the accepted method of taking a fish's measurement, though there are other methods as well (fork length, standard length).
Congrats on your 50+". |
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| Why thank you Guest. I'm sitting at home on my Lazy Boy recliner, drinking a homebrew with my wife, and just gave you a toast. Going to bed with a smile on my face. Just got it last summer, it took me 10 years to catch that "fittie".
Now don't anyone kill my buzz! |
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Posts: 177
| Remember your personal best could only happen from others releasing that fish so catch and release from most anglers is the reason we are acheiving these 50+" fish pbs.we would be naïve to think all 50"+ fish have never been caught before. |
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Posts: 1041
| Just my two cents worth, but a 50 is a 50 whether it came by trolling or casting. I know a really good stick who put in a lot of time trolling for big fish last year and was richly rewarded. It wasn't like he just threw out some lines and made a lap around the lake. There is skill involved.
Am I jealous? Absolutely. I think his boat stuck about 8 fish bigger than my personal best last year. But alas, my boat just isn't a good troller.
I also agree with Sam that water matters. It doesn't matter as far as ego goes, but different water grows different sized fish. Wanna catch bigger fish? Fish the water that grows bigger fish. Which means I gotta get off of Pewaukee more this year! |
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| Pappy, very cool accomplishment, Don
51" with Hulbert
48" with partner in my boat
46" by myself
I am blessed to have met and released 'em all... |
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Posts: 706
Location: Richland Center, WI. | My personal best was a 44 incher caught on Halloween, fishing alone on Lake Redstone in southwest WI. Caught right near the launch after about 5 casts. Oh, and I was hobbling around with a boot on my left foot as I had torn my achilles tendon. Trophy? You bet!
Ken
Edited by muskyhunter63 5/15/2012 3:20 PM
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Location: SE Wisconsin | One would think 52" or better fish would be no problem based on the results... |
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Posts: 2085
| Sam Ubl - 5/15/2012 3:25 PM
One would think 52" or better fish would be no problem based on the results...
I don't know - this isn't really a random sample. If you sampled the individuals that visit a weightlifting forum daily how many guys bench press 300 pounds?....if you go to a golf pro forum every day you have probably hit a hole-in-one.... Sample everyone that buys a fishing license in MN I bet less than 2% have a 52" muskie. |
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Posts: 321
| Sam Ubl - 5/15/2012 3:25 PM
One would think 52" or better fish would be no problem based on the results...
Results look right, many people are good sticks and fish quality water. Much easier now that it was 15-20 years ago. That is a good thing. H |
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Posts: 129
| My personal bests by state are 52.25 in Minnesota, 48 in Wisconsin, and 49 here in Illinois. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Guys,
My PB. is over 52" ,..... But the BIGGEST and Heaviest is a 48.5" fish taken on Cave Run a few yrs.ago.... I would say it was about 5-7 lbs heaver than the 52" fish I boated in Mn.
This poll is not an accurate picture of what most people experience out there.
Jerome |
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | Sam Ubl - 5/15/2012 3:25 PM
One would think 52" or better fish would be no problem based on the results...
Yeah thats my goal for this year |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | I like it, let's start a poll based on states. I'm actually curious to see those results. |
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Posts: 122
Location: North Central Illinois | 54.5".......BAM!!!!! |
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Posts: 458
| My personal best was watching my 8 year old son reel in his first musky and then call his Mom from the boat to tell her all about it. |
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| %7 figure 8, she ate it at my feet! BAM! |
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Posts: 137
| I went by size when I clicked the box, but thinking about it and reading a few posts afterwards, I don't think it was actually my personal best. Hard to beat the first fish I caught that was about a 39" fish. I wanted to catch a muskie so badly for so long and when it happened it was pure joy. I don't think I have had a fish that have been as satisfying, terrifying or exciting as that one. And since then, I have had a lot of other personal bests on the way to the current big one that I checked the box for. I need to look back at those pictures from that very first day and remember how exciting it was to catch the smaller fish back then too just to remind myself of why I fish for these guys. Does size really mean the best? I don't know. Besides, who is to say that my first 39" fish didn't grow to 55" in size. Maybe I caught the big one that very first day and didn't realize it, but either way, I'm happy where she was at when I landed her. |
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Personal Best