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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Those of you who know me, know that my search for histories big muskies never ends. Each new Compendium I've published has had lots of new photo's and I have continued to gather them in my ongoing research.
Since it will likely be some time before (and if) I do a 4th Edition, I thought that since the folks at MuskieFirst, and you the board members, have been so tolerant of my recent record rants, that I'd get to the heart of the matter of just how big these fish we love grow and share a considerable number of new photo's and information (to a point) with you.
Since I love the old history, I will start there. Also a few very nice fish from Hayward, for obvious reasons.
I will put up only one photo per post so that the captions don't get messed up and it will be easier to follow and comment on each fish.
The oldest citation I have (sadly no photo) is from 1863! I regret I do not have the info from whom I obtained this:
The citation is from the Monticello, Minnesota newspaper of May 23, 1863. It was titled: "Largest Mascalonge on Record".
"Clearwater Wright Co. May 15 To the Editor of the St. Paul Press.
"Perhaps you will be pleased to insert the following: 'I certify, that I have this day weighed the Mascalonge killed with a pitchfork by Dan Fuller, under his father's shop on the Clearwater river, in the town of Clearwater, and that the same weighed 61 1/2.
"Thomas Ponsford, Chairman Board of Supervisors"
Interesting possibility...a Mississippi River strain muskie in excess of 60-pounds in Minnesota!
The next, with poor black and white photo, comes from Lake Chautauqua, New York in 1890. The photo caption back then was the following:
"Was This The Biggest Muskie Ever Caught On A Line?-This whopper caught by George W. Scofield, Bemus Point, in 1890, weighed 52 pounds. Old timers say another muskie was landed, weighing 60 pounds but was taken with a spear through the ice..."
Wow, and a 60 pounder too. Thanks to Fletcher Ward, author of the recent book "Saving Chautauqua's Muskies" for the photo and information. Note: click on photo to see entire thing.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/6/2014 11:24 AM
(52 pounds Chautauqua Lake 1890 001.jpg)
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | An 1895 citation from "Thousand Islands Life" included the following: "...But in 1895 C.H. Chester of Chicago returned to the Hubbard House with a sixty-seven pound pickerel (sic)! Are we to believe this, even if it was a muskie?" Indeed!!
The next photo I have comes from the Hayward area in August of 1897. You'll have to forgive me here, as I have no clue how big this fish is, but suspect it may have been the start of "fish size enhancement" by photograph. You'll also have to forgive me as I ask could this be Louie Spray's daddy? The fish was supposedly taken on Big Round Lake.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/6/2014 11:19 AM
(Round Lake WI 1897 001.jpg)
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Round Lake WI 1897 001.jpg (251KB - 2006 downloads)
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Our next fish comes from Michigan. I guess standing behind the fish to make them look bigger took place there too! Fish was taken by a Mr. Rose on November 24, 1910 and I suspect that it was speared, which is legal in Michigan. You'll have to make up your own mind as to actual size.
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Let's get back to Hayward's Big Round Lake. There have been a few dandies taken there in the not too distant past. Since they are all related, I will post three photos here and hope they get up in order. The first is a 48 1/2-pounder caught by Don Mense in 1961; the second was a 48 1/2-pounder that was only 51 1/2-inches long, caught in 1993 by Jerry Nelson and the last a giant released muskie caught by Scot Wickhem on November 23, 2002 that was 53-inches long. He caught it row-trolling from a small duck boat by himself!
(Don Mense 1961 Round Lake 001.jpg)
(Jerry Nelson 48-8 Round Lake 001.jpg)
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Don Mense 1961 Round Lake 001.jpg (44KB - 723 downloads)
Jerry Nelson 48-8 Round Lake 001.jpg (70KB - 772 downloads)
Scot.jpg (79KB - 676 downloads)
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Posts: 1296
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | This next one comes from the efforts of Bob Schothoffer from NY.:
51.2 POUNDS - Lee and Danette Mall and their son took their first legal muskie, which they tried to release, from the St. Lawrence River in October of 2008. It was 58 1/2-inches long.
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Location: Chisholm, MN | All I can say is I'm jacked for summer! |
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| Those are all some dandy ski's. Thanks for sharing Larry! |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Cool images, Larry! |
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Location: Minneapolis | Hopefully I will wake up tomorrow and it will be june. Thanks for sharing. |
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| larry, i know it is a very sensitive subject with us musky fishermen especially in the hayward area but what is the biggest musky you have heard of being speared lately. and also i have always heard stories from lotw about some found dead that choked on a goose. any truth to that?
Edited by HANS79 3/6/2014 12:39 PM
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| Did the Wickhem Round Lake fish have an unusual coloration for a Hayward area fish? |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | Great photos Larry !
While some clearly have been staged to make the catch look larger (who hasn't seen recent photos with fish held at arms length ?) they certainly are fun to look at/read about and a nice diversion to severe cases of winternet and spring fever.
Speaking of speared fish, didn't you once mention the fish hanging in The Stove Works on Cty B was speared ? That one is impressive.
Edited by dfkiii 3/6/2014 11:56 AM
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Location: Shoepack | big fish. i enjoy the history of fishing. thanks for posting. |
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Location: Ontario, Canada | Great stuff here!
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to seeing more historical photo's. |
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Location: PA | I love those old pictures with the people all dressed up in suits and ties with their catch. Lots of old Chautauqua Lake photos like that around. Also, note the crowd in the background. Those fish must have been the talk of the towns back then. |
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| Larry Ramsell - 3/6/2014 10:19 AM
An 1895 citation from "Thousand Islands Life" included the following: "...But in 1895 C.H. Chester of Chicago returned to the Hubbard House with a sixty-seven pound pickerel (sic)! Are we to believe this, even if it was a muskie?" Indeed!!
The next photo I have comes from the Hayward area in August of 1897. You'll have to forgive me here, as I have no clue how big this fish is, but suspect it may have been the start of "fish size enhancement" by photograph. You'll also have to forgive me as I ask could this be Louie Spray's daddy? The fish was supposedly taken on Big Round Lake.
Is he 3'6"? |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | HANS79 wrote:
" larry, i know it is a very sensitive subject with us musky fishermen especially in the hayward area but what is the biggest musky you have heard of being speared. and also i have always heard stories from lotw about some found dead that choked on a goose. any truth to that?
LR: Hans, the largest I know of speared was the fish known as the Baker fish that was supposedly 60-inches and 61-pounds. Also, large muskies have sometimes been found choked to death on a meal too big to swallow. I have heard about one with a goose, but have heard of loons and recently in Mille Lacs a 60-incher was found dead with a 5-pound carp stuck in its throat.
bwalsh wrote:
"Did the Wickhem Round Lake fish have an unusual coloration for a Hayward area fish?
LR: Not necessarily for a lake as clear as Round is.
dfkiii wrote:
"Great photos Larry ! While some clearly have been staged to make the catch look larger (who hasn't seen recent photos with fish held at arms length ?) they certainly are fun to look at/read about and a nice diversion to severe cases of winternet and spring fever. Speaking of speared fish, didn't you once mention the fish hanging in The Stove Works on Cty B was speared ? That one is impressive."
LR: That is the Baker fish referenced above. It was obtained by Widmer Smith (Louie Spray's ol' buddy) illegally and kept in a freezer for several years. He then personally mounted it, trying to enhance it like Spray's fish. However, he added length to the front part of the fish rather than the back and a simple look tells one that the front paired fins are far rearward of where they should be. Widmer later said he wished he hadn't done that.
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| What do you know about the fish from Bear Paw sports in Rice Lake. Supposedly caught out of Shell lake? That sucker is huge. |
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| Guy in second picture holding a Fly Rod!!!!!!
Amazing!!!!!!!!
Edited by eightweight 3/6/2014 12:48 PM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | chasintails wrote:
"What do you know about the fish from Bear Paw sports in Rice Lake. Supposedly caught out of Shell lake? That sucker is huge."
LR: I know that it is a fiberglass replica, one of the earlier attempts to emulate the Lawton World Record done in MN, and it is NOT the fish "speared", not caught, from Shell Lake that was 56-pounds (full of eggs before season). |
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Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | Always great stuff Larry and great to see you in Chicago this year |
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| Larry, what do you know about this one from the MI DNR archives? Other than the size being just a tad overstated...
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1084/905939166_d20a235de6_z.jpg
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Thanks Larry. I'll have to have a closer look at it when I stop in next time.
Larry Ramsell - 3/6/2014 12:42 PM
LR: That is the Baker fish referenced above. It was obtained by Widmer Smith (Louie Spray's ol' buddy) illegally and kept in a freezer for several years. He then personally mounted it, trying to enhance it like Spray's fish. However, he added length to the front part of the fish rather than the back and a simple look tells one that the front paired fins are far rearward of where they should be. Widmer later said he wished he hadn't done that.
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Location: Money, PA | <p>Thank you Larry! Very interesting stuff to say the least...<br /><br />Anyone notice any sort of trend here?? And a few from my neck of the woods...</p><p>PA State record 1924 - Conneaut Lake 54lbs and a few ounces</p><p><img border="0" src="http://muskie_guy.tripod.com/pasr" width="188" height="304" /></p><p>Ohio State Record - Piedmont Lake 1972 - 55lbs</p><p><img border="0" src="http://muskie_guy.tripod.com/staterecord72" width="299" height="405" /></p>
Edited by ShutUpNFish 3/6/2014 1:01 PM
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Location: Hayward, WI | Cool pictures Larry! I think that Jerry Nelson fish is mounted at Famous Dave's. I'm always in awe of the girth of that fish when we eat there.
Sure wish there were more of them like that in Round these days.
Edited by curleytail 3/6/2014 1:04 PM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | IM Musky Time:
I know that is likely the greatest muskie Hoax of all time! I have, as have others, written extensively about that photo/post card (a very expensive post card by the way). It was yet another speared fish from the Torch River in Michigan, one of five taken by two characters/violator's in one night. A photographer named Bebee happened by and made the Hoax shot (actually two different ones with the two guys and one of himself) by photographing first the fish hanging by itself (itself only 27 pounds!) and one of the guys standing with their arms extended, and you see the result. It was claimed to be a muskie of 110 pounds. This took place in 1908 and a different photo (with the other guy) was published first. The photo you linked to wasn't released until around 1932.
If you get a chance to buy that or the other PC at a reasonable price, do so...they usually go for between $350 and $400 each in decent condition! I have three...
LR: ShutUpNFish, your post is garbled. The two fish you refer too are, in my mind, legitimate.
curleytail wrote:!
"Cool pictures Larry! I think that Jerry Nelson fish is mounted at Famous Dave's. I'm always in awe of the girth of that fish when we eat there. Sure wish there were more of them like that in Round these days."
LR: Curly, the Nelson fish is definitely in Famous Daves and awesome to look at. After the Muskie's, Inc. Chapter stocking of yearlings there in Round Lake, there is a nice crop of Kalepp Fish Farm muskies coming along...stay tuned.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/6/2014 1:34 PM
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| Larry Ramsell - 3/6/2014 1:05 PM
IM Musky Time:
I know that is likely the greatest muskie Hoax of all time! I have, as have others, written extensively about that photo/post card (a very expensive post card by the way). It was yet another speared fish from the Torch River in Michigan, one of five taken by two characters/violator's in one night. A photographer named Bebee happened by and made the Hoax shot (actually two different ones with the two guys and one of himself) by photographing first the fish hanging by itself (itself only 27 pounds!) and one of the guys standing with their arms extended, and you see the result. It was claimed to be a muskie of 110 pounds. This took place in 1908 and a different photo (with the other guy) was published later. The photo you linked to wasn't released until around 1932.
If you get a chance to buy that or the other PC at a reasonable price, do so...they usually go for between $350 and $400 each in decent condition! I have three...
Thanks, Larry. Good stuff. I figured you had probably run across it before and now I'll be on the hunt for the postcards so I can head to Vegas to deal with the Pawn Stars  |
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Location: Des Moines IA | I just like looking at the old big fish picks... Keepem coming... Thanks, Larbo |
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Location: Hayward, WI | Thanks Larry. I should be more tuned in to stocking and genetics than I am. I've seen some smaller fish photos coming from Round lately. It will be interesting to see if they have the ability to achieve the excellent girth/weight potential the Round Lake fish had years ago. |
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| even if this was bs and some almost 100 years old we still talking about them
Edited by jano 3/6/2014 3:20 PM
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | From another thread from Larry that failed to merge:
At the risk of overwhelming your sensory organs, I decided to continue with my posting today rather than wait until tomorrow...I love this stuff and it sounds like you do to!
First I'll start with toad that has been published before. I have no details other than size, but it looked some much like the recent Charlie Gallagher tiger (48.5 x 28.5-google it) in its extreme obesity, I just had to put it up again. It was reported to be 48 x 32 and no weight was given, but 50 pounds wouldn't surprise me.
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | From the thread, Larry Comments:
Ok, let's talk Tigers for a bit, since we mentioned Charlie's giant above. First, I should mention, since Round Lake has been a focus today, that it too has had a giant tiger or two in it. Many years ago one was found dead (covered in my book) that weighed 49-pounds. Some years ago, when "Mr. October", the late Peter Haupt was seriously pounding Round, he told me he lost a huge Tiger the year following his capture of a 47 1/2 muskie there.
Recently, in 2009, guide Brian McInerney was trolling for walleyes on Grindstone Lake in Hayward and hooked into a dandy 53-inch Tiger Muskie, which he photographed and released.
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | From the Thread:
From ski:
'Hey Larry, the great bambino along with barbosa's other giant caught in December. The wosney fish plus Craig's catch and release record.'
Larry comments:
ski: I'm still adding fish, stay tuned. Not sure what the "wosney" fish is? I'm not going to put up a lot of photos that have already been published and been around for some time.
The last Tiger I have to share is a probable world record that was speared by a native American who shared the photo and information with me. I have blocked out his face for obvious reasons. This fish was 55.5 inches long and had a 28 inch girth! Sorry about the quality of the image.
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Larry comments:
In December of 2013, Ed Barbossa caught and released a giant that weighed "at least" 58-pounds on an IGFA certified scale. Due to the fact that Seeberger's 58-pounder was under review for record, Ed decided to release this massive fish that 54.75-inches long and had a massive girth of 30.50-inches. While already publicized, I have some additional unpublished photos, courtesy of Mike Lazarus, to share with you. The first is a full fish shot of Ed and fish; the second is an across the back shot showing width and the third is an in the net shot of the massive belly/girth. By the way, the girth measured the same both in and out of the water.
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Barbossa.jpg (114KB - 448 downloads)
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| i remember seeing a picture of a fish on rowan lake that was like 48 to 49 inches but had a huge girth around 30 inches maybe. ever hear of that fish and any idea of weight. if i remember the story it was caught under a fallen tree. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | During the confusion, the third photo of the Barbossa fish didn't get posted. Here it is now and that will be it for today. Tomorrow we'll start on 60-inchers!
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/6/2014 4:13 PM
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Geez what a toad. |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | OMG!!!! |
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Location: Western U.P. | Thanks for sharing these pics guys. The picture of the 30.5" girth fish in the net with the guys hand on the back is really something... Wow! Very cool. Can't wait for Spring. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Good Lord are those fish fat !
Larry, where was that beauty of a tiger speared ? |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | HANS79, not sure what fish you are talking about.
dfkii, that tiger was speared in Wisconsin. |
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| I was wondering about genetics as well. We used to buy Wisconsin strain barred muskies way back in the day and I thought they were some of the best fish we ever stocked in N.J. Is that strain still viable or have all the waters been polluted by shoepac genetics? |
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| I remember the fish Hans speaks of. Guy claimed like a 38" girth or something ridiculous like that. Was a fat fish but 38" come on. |
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| Han's that picture was in a very old Musky Hunter Mag, I remember seeing the 38" girth too. Must've been a typo. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | the width photos are incredible ... |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Good stuff LR, I wish I had a fish worthy of this thread. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | muskyrat wrote: "I was wondering about genetics as well. We used to buy Wisconsin strain barred muskies way back in the day and I thought they were some of the best fish we ever stocked in N.J. Is that strain still viable or have all the waters been polluted by shoepac genetics?"
LR: There are many strains of Wisconsin muskies, however as I understand it, NJ now uses only Mississippi River strain muskies (from MN) for their stocking program and have even created their own brood stock from same.
Will: That fish you got your son this year is worthy of any thread. Feel free to post it here! |
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Location: Thief River Falls MN | More recent but has anyone heard the story on this fish? Maybe it has been discussed here, but I cant find anything.
http://thedrydenobserver.ca/2013/09/eagle-lake-yields-big-muskie/
From the looks of the rocks on the shoreline he looks like he could be close to Skyes reef |
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Location: central Wisconsin | Larry, wasn't there a huge set of jaws found on the Chip a number of years ago? Are you able to guesstimate the size of the fish from as little as that?
Great old pics by the way!!! |
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Interesting attire considering it was alleged to be caught on 8/26/13. I was on the lake that day and the actual temps were about 88 degrees, with a real feel of 109 with just about zero wind.
I've heard stories about this guy and how he allegedly catches a big fish of Skye's reef every year. Maybe some of the locals can chime in, they seem to smirk every time I ask about this guy...maybe its a long standing joke up there. Not sure. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Larry I don't see any pictures of the big musky caught on the St. Lawrence last Dec. 3rd |
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| Keep the pics coming LR! Would love to see more Laz / Barbosa pics. Or maybe a Vilas County giant or two! |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | horsehunter - 3/6/2014 9:34 PM
Larry I don't see any pictures of the big musky caught on the St. Lawrence last Dec.
3rd ;-)
I guess that was 2 years ago how time flys |
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| Jeff78 - 3/6/2014 9:13 PM
Larry, wasn't there a huge set of jaws found on the Chip a number of years ago? Are you able to guesstimate the size of the fish from as little as that?
Great old pics by the way!!!
Yes there was. The son and daughter of a very good friend of mine found them on an island. I can't remember what the estimated size of the fish was but I could find out by tomorrow.
They spend a fair amount of time in Hayward each year and have friends up there. When they would go on family vacations they would take turns fishing. Four of them, one boat. They'd take turns pairing up to fish while the other two would be dropped off on islands to do some hiking, exploring, etc. They drop the kids off to let them explore and they found this huge jaw that at first they thought belonged to a wolf. Brought it back to where they were staying and were told it was from a fish which at first was hard to believe. Now, this is not a family who doesn't know muskies or have never seen, caught, or handled large muskies before either. They've caught many many large fish, it's just that this jaw was so incredibly unreal that it did not resonate how big of a fish it came from so it had to be from something else.
The jaw is displayed in a case at a resort in Hayward but I can't recall the name of the place. Anyway, a few years ago when I was living in Tennessee getting ready for work I turn the tv on and there's an episode of monster quest. I'm not paying attention to it and I hear familiar voices. Look at the tv and there Jack was talking about it. They aired about two minutes of interviews with them and left about an hour of footage out of the episode which was too bad. The producers of that show made them seem far less knowledgeable about muskies than they are.
To hear them talk about the experience of finding the thing followed by being interviewed for the show and then the follow up inquiries about it is interesting. For a period of time they were getting all sorts of questions about it and they don't mind talking about it but they are not the type of people who ever go looking for publicity or really want to be bugged about something they feel everyone should be able to enjoy by walking into a public place and looking at the jaw display. To be bluntly honest, if they would have even the slightest smidgen of an ego among their entire family and would post half of the quality fish they land each year it would make some very well known guides feel awfully silly.... Some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet who just enjoy the sport to the fullest with no desire to draw attention to themselves. |
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| I meant are the genetics still viable in Wisconsin. Actualy we have a brood stock lake that only has Leech lake strain. Those only represent a small portion of fish though. The state still makes other fish using mixed genetics from Greenwood lake. Fish in Greenwood were stocked by MI and had some WI fish from MN muskie farm. Later the state used some genetics from PA and NY as well as Leech lakers. After taking a guy from the state fishing I learned the mixed genetic fish are easier to raise than the leech fish for some reason. They keep them separate. Most lakes get both type of fish but Echo only gets Leech lakers so we always have a pure source for those. |
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Location: Dixon, IL | I have your two books! I like it very much, so are you plan to write third book?
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| I had no idea Tigers could get 55.5", that is ridiculous. Why can`t I catch one of those! |
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| Awesome pics Larry! After viewing the first pic, I've just formulated my new muskie strategy for this season. I'm going to wear a three piece suite and tie with an awesome derby for sun protection. That should do it! I just have to make sure my pocket watch chain is secure while doing the 8... |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Ok, a bit of catching up to do this morning before we post more great photos:
Jeff78: One could only make a wild estimate from a set of jaws. The local biologist had a spread of 15 pounds with his "estimate", so no, to answer your question.
Horsehunter: Paitence Frank those and more are coming!
Mr.Musky: More of those coming too...
ILmuskie: Actually, if you have my two-volume 3rd Edition Compendium, you have the 10th and 11th books I have written or co-authored. I have a muskie history post card book in the works that I've wanted to get published for several years, but the economy put a damper on that and as I've already noted, a 4th edition of my current book is a long ways out at best, but thanks for asking. |
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| I don`t know about everyone else but with this cold weather and Larry`s incredible fish pictures I`m getting Jacked up! I my have to hit the St. Lawrence for the opener! Maybe some slobs hang around late with this brutal winter. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | sworrall - 3/6/2014 4:23 PM Larry comments: In December of 2013, Ed Barbossa caught and released a giant that weighed "at least" 58-pounds on an IGFA certified scale. Due to the fact that Seeberger's 58-pounder was under review for record, Ed decided to release this massive fish that 54.75-inches long and had a massive girth of 30.50-inches. Just to clarify, this fish was caught in December 2012 while the Seeberger fish was under review. Larry Ramsell - Will: That fish you got your son this year is worthy of any thread. Feel free to post it here! I was referring to making the 60"ers.
Edited by Will Schultz 3/7/2014 9:16 AM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Well muskyrat, I was going to start today with 60-inchers, but since you mentioned the St. Lawrence on the opener, I just had to post this photo of Reed Findlan and his beautiful 57.25 inch St. Lawrence River release in June of 2013. Most guys out there don't fish until fall! He weighed it at 51-pounds 5-ounces on an IGFA certified scale before he let it go!
(Reed Findlan 51.5 pounds 57.25 long 001.jpg)
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Reed Findlan 51.5 pounds 57.25 long 001.jpg (195KB - 620 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | And I had a request for more Barbossa and Lazarus. For those of you who weren't there at the Chicago Musky Show, the panel of myself, Russ Wayre, Jim Saric and Spence Petros were on a panel to try and determine the Top Five Muskie Fisherman of All-Time. All agreed that Mike Lazarus definitely belonged on that list...he was number one on mine.
Following are two more great photos. The fist showing both Laz and Barbossa holding Ed's released 58-pounder from the St. Lawrence. The second shows the Capt. with a 49-pound released Ontario lake fish and his face denotes how ugly late fall muskie fishing can be! Don't drool too much!
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/7/2014 11:33 AM
(55 x 30.5 IGFA Certified scale weighed 58 pounds.jpg)
(Lazarus 49 pounds Ontario 001.jpg)
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55 x 30.5 IGFA Certified scale weighed 58 pounds.jpg (108KB - 685 downloads)
Lazarus 49 pounds Ontario 001.jpg (380KB - 447 downloads)
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Posts: 455
| Is there a way to buy a pre certified scale from IGFA? Do you have to weigh the fish on land? Officially Jacked up! When does the season open? Is Ontario the same day as NY? Sorry for the question blitz. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Alrighty then, time to move on to 60-inchers. First, two qualifiers. I am not going to post every photo I have of claimed 60-inch and plus fish...too much digging in the files to do that and those I won't put here have already been published. Second, since none of the following fish were measured on a bump board (to my knowledge) I cannot speak to the veracity of the claimed lengths. You will have to make up your own mind.
The first (2-one photo) come from ILLINOIS!! Somewhere in northern Illinois there is a privately stocked strip mine (likely with Kalepp Fish Farm muskies...they used to have a 57-inch brood female that they took their eggs from). First, several years ago they found a dead giant on shore that measured supposedly, 63-inches...no photo available (yet). Then, this past spring another giant was found dead that measured 60-inches! Picture follows:
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Posts: 216
| Didn't Mark Carlson just catch a big one with Lazarus in the st Larry ? That guys got big fish sonar in his head! |
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Jeff78 - 3/6/2014 8:13 PM Larry, wasn't there a huge set of jaws found on the Chip a number of years ago? Are you able to guesstimate the size of the fish from as little as that? Great old pics by the way!!! I’m not sure which sets of jaws these are, there have been a bunch of them found walking shore lines in the spring threw the years. I think there is still a set from 1989 on display at Treelands in Hayward that's been estimated at 70lb, and there was another set found more recently around 2006? that supposedly came from an even bigger fish. There's an article in musky Hunter where the local retired WDNR guy Frank Pratt estimated the Treelands muskie to be between 58-68" long, and 55-70lber in the March 1999 issue of Musky Hunter. The huge problem I see is that Pratt calculated the size of the fish from the jaw bones by comparing them to Cal Johnson's WR... he determined they were only "slightly larger". I seem to remember that the 2006 set was sent to the University of Madison, but nothing was disclosed on what they found out… again, as I recall, the more recent 2006 set was compared to the 89 set, which was compared to the Johnson mount, which in fact came from a low 50” Muskie. In that MH article they also compare the 89 set to a “claimed” 40lb mount from Hayward that looks to have the body enhanced like Johnson's mount as well, and the set of 89 jaw bones dwarfs the 40lb? jaw, and it becomes a pretty big tangle of what's really what. With that said; I do not understand how anyone can estimate the weight of a fish from just the jawbones in this manner anyway, and there is obviously issues with trying to compare anything with Johnson's mount. Although I think they're all kind of cool in spite of the above, when people measure the width of the lower jawbone and then compare it to the width of a legitimate large mounted muskie, the jaw bones are going to be wider because they spread out when they are no longer attached to the head. Also, with no cartilage and flesh around the teeth, the jawbones outwardly appear to have longer teeth, which has obviously fooled a lot of people into believing the fish are much bigger than they actually were. But they're still cool to look at!
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jaws 2.jpg (10KB - 401 downloads)
jaws 1.jpg (45KB - 484 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Yes BROZ88 Carlson did catch a 56-inch, 55-pounder from the St. Lawrence River last December with Lazarus. Here is another photo of that fish:
(Carlson 55 pounder 56 inches long.jpg)
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Carlson 55 pounder 56 inches long.jpg (5KB - 374 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Now for our next 60-inchers. This is a 2007 fish from Lac Suel by Mark Podobinski.
(Mark Podobinski 60 inch rel. Lac Suel 001.jpg)
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Mark Podobinski 60 inch rel. Lac Suel 001.jpg (116KB - 474 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Next we'll revive one from this board in 2008. Another Lac Suel 60 caught by Neil Michelin.
(Neil Michelin 60 inch Lac Suel 001.jpg)
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Neil Michelin 60 inch Lac Suel 001.jpg (211KB - 838 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Of course I would be remiss if I didn't re-post Daniel Polinak Jr.'s 60 x 29.5 monster caught with Capt. Rich Clark on the St. Lawrence River in 2011.
(Clark 60 x 29 St. Lawrence River 001.jpg)
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Clark 60 x 29 St. Lawrence River 001.jpg (120KB - 632 downloads)
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Location: Ontario, Canada | muskyrat - 3/7/2014 9:58 AM
Is there a way to buy a pre certified scale from IGFA? Do you have to weigh the fish on land? Officially Jacked up! When does the season open? Is Ontario the same day as NY? Sorry for the question blitz.
Ontario's stretch of the St. Lawrence fall's under zone 20. 3rd Saturday in June. Go get em! |
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| Those are some pigs!! I think a few of em like the rich clark fish,Carlsons fish and another monster caught 2 days before the Carlson fish were all released and are gonna be even bigger this year!! Can't wait man I'm pumped keep it comin Larry |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | I'll end the 60-inchers with three mystery fish. The first mystery fish I am at a loss as to where I got it (hmmm). It is a reported 61-incher and although very skinny, it looks to be that long to me.
Second mystery fish is a Minnesota muskie reported to be 60 or 61-inches. Name and location shall remain withheld for now until more permissions are given. I was unable to upload the photo due to size, sorry.
And last isn't really a mystery to me, but it necessarily must remain that way for you for now, again permissions needed. It is a late June muskie (post spawn) that had a 59-inch "fork length", equating to a 63-inch total length! It was kept and weighed a spawned out 49-pounds.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/7/2014 10:48 AM
(61 inches unknown 001.jpg)
(June 2011 63 inches 49 pounds 001.jpg)
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61 inches unknown 001.jpg (126KB - 432 downloads)
June 2011 63 inches 49 pounds 001.jpg (329KB - 449 downloads)
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| Thanks man. Those are some beautiful fish. Even the rotten one was impressive. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Ok, that depletes most of my readily accessible photos for now. I would however, like to end on a bit of a self-serving great day of muskie fishing December 3, 2012, where two giants were involved while fishing the St. Lawrence River with my good friend Rich Wren and of course the Capt., Mike Lazarus.
We started out mid day the first day there and within 15 minutes, Rich boated a mammoth mid 50-incher that pulled the IGFA certified scale down to 49-pounds. Of course he then promptly released it.
Wow, what a day I thought, but little did I know it wasn't over by a long shot! Less than three hours later, the reel went again and I struggled with a real head shaker until we were finally able to get it into the boat. She measured in at 55.5-inches long and pulled the certified scale to 51-pounds! My first ever 50-pounder after 55 years of chasing these beasts! When I set her back in the water, she was gone so fast, I have to wonder if she had even been there or was I day dreaming. The photos suggested that it was for real!
Enjoy, as I have enjoyed bring all these giants to you to help get us thru this #*^@able winter...Larry
Note: I couldn't get the photos to load, so I will send them to Mr. Worrall.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/7/2014 11:17 AM
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My 51 pounder 001.jpg (135KB - 425 downloads)
Rich and beast 001.jpg (78KB - 396 downloads)
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| Larry, this is just what we needed this winter! Thank You again! |
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| Larry
I know this was caught in Green Bay out of season but how big do you think this was?
Edited by Jimbo 3/7/2014 11:43 AM
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| Extremely interesting. Just gets the blood pumping.
If someone isn't holding the fish it looks pretty fishy. |
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Location: Lake St.Clair | Wow some true giants and awesome thread keep this going! |
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| I would like to hear more about this giant Northern Illinois Muskie. That would have shattered the current state record. What lake was that again? |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Jimbo: It is hard to say how big the out of season Green Bay fish was. It is obviously full of eggs and could weigh an additional 20% of normal body weight with those eggs. No doubt huge, but we'll never know for sure how big it was. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Larry...that first Lac Seul fish, what are your thoughts on the legitimacy? I've seen several photos of it and I just don't see 60" there... |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Musky Brian: I refer to to my earlier post re the 60's:
"Alrighty then, time to move on to 60-inchers. First, two qualifiers. I am not going to post every photo I have of claimed 60-inch and plus fish...too much digging in the files to do that and those I won't put here have already been published. Second, since none of the following fish were measured on a bump board (to my knowledge) I cannot speak to the veracity of the claimed lengths. You will have to make up your own mind."
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/7/2014 2:29 PM
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Location: NE PA | Jimbo - 3/7/2014 12:41 PM
Larry
I know this was caught in Green Bay out of season but how big do you think this was?
Maybe it's just me, but these pics look photoshopped |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | None of the fishermen I know are smart enough to use Photoshop hell most of us can't even resize pictures.
The guy with the out of season fish must be a strong SOB I would have a grimace on my face or be sitting down. Undoubtedly a quality fish. |
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| lennyg3 - 3/7/2014 3:28 PM
Jimbo - 3/7/2014 12:41 PM
Larry
I know this was caught in Green Bay out of season but how big do you think this was?
Maybe it's just me, but these pics look photoshopped
Actually now that you say it I can see what you mean... |
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Posts: 222
| Yes it was photoshopped and the guy admitted it right off the bat. Him and a well known Wisconsin guide caught the fish and they were trying to protect the location of this spawning monster muskie. Just trying to make the photo look better I guess.
Edited by Jimbo 3/7/2014 3:19 PM
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| What about this one. Any info on this fish? By the looks of that head and was something ridiculously HUGE. Possibly the biggest ever caught? Wish I could find a better picture.
The second pic I just through in as it might be the most iconic muskie photo ever taken.
Edited by Lunger50 3/7/2014 4:58 PM
(normal_mikelazarusmuskie.gif)
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GOT HEAD.JPG (41KB - 379 downloads)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Lunger50:
The one that you posted up is an oldie from 1994. It is a 58 1/2 x 29 Caught by Ed Barbossa again fishing with Mike Lazarus. Since I have, courtesy of Mr. Barbossa, another view of that shot, here it is...many that were there that day felt it a 60-pound class fish...it was also released by Ed.
The other is a 61 incher caught several years ago from the Ottawa River. There are other photos but the angler wouldn't allow them to be used.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/7/2014 5:19 PM
(1994 Barbossa 2 001.jpg)
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1994 Barbossa 2 001.jpg (78KB - 619 downloads)
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| Do you have any more info on the Northern Il fish?This was a very enjoyable post .Thank you,Uncle Larry.0723 |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | 0723: Yes, but I risk death if I post it, LOL. |
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| Lunger50 - 3/7/2014 5:56 PM
What about this one. Any info on this fish? By the looks of that head and was something ridiculously HUGE. Possibly the biggest ever caught? Wish I could find a better picture.
The second pic I just through in as it might be the most iconic muskie photo ever taken.
you can find the whole fish pics somewhere right here,but don't know where |
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Posts: 123
| Be like Mike!
My dream Fall trip is a couple weeks with Jody and Mike during a late Fall run into the full Moon. Alaska's cool, Hawaii's nice, but I'll take Georgian Bay any day! |
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| Larry Ramsell - 3/7/2014 5:27 PM
0723: Yes, but I risk death if I post it, LOL. I am more interested in if they have figured out some sort of big fish breeding pattern that others ,when breeding fish should copy.Thanks again uncle Larry.0723
Edited by 0723 3/7/2014 8:16 PM
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Location: Aurora | Can't get enough of these historical slobs.
Please tell me "Let's Talk BIG Pike!" is next.
I'm startin to get punchy with nearly 3 more months to go.
~pensive yet suicidal look of addiction~ |
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Posts: 209
| Amazing must be nice to have the chance to catch one of these!!
Larry Ramsell - 3/7/2014 10:02 AM
Alrighty then, time to move on to 60-inchers. First, two qualifiers. I am not going to post every photo I have of claimed 60-inch and plus fish...too much digging in the files to do that and those I won't put here have already been published. Second, since none of the following fish were measured on a bump board (to my knowledge) I cannot speak to the veracity of the claimed lengths. You will have to make up your own mind.
The first (2-one photo) come from ILLINOIS!! Somewhere in northern Illinois there is a privately stocked strip mine (likely with Kalepp Fish Farm muskies...they used to have a 57-inch brood female that they took their eggs from). First, several years ago they found a dead giant on shore that measured supposedly, 63-inches...no photo available (yet). Then, this past spring another giant was found dead that measured 60-inches! Picture follows:
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Sidejack: I could do BIG pike, but this is a Muskie board! LOL |
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Location: Aurora | Aww c'mon.. Our resident reel maintenance guy is Pikemaster and let's admit it, Slamr is pretty close to Slimer so I bet he's got a raging pike fetish. I'm sure there's no one here that would shake off a 40" or larger pike next to the boat without hoistin it fer a pic first. Anyone care to see some big pike?
I'd set up one of those voting pole posts but don't know how.
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Posts: 264
| +1 for big pike
Talmooner |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sure, why not? |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | Another vote for big pike !
Just remember, muskies don't get larger than 60" and pike don't get larger than 50" so be sure not to post the really big ones. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Will give the pike some consideration, although this post, according to the moderators, has to run its course first.
And dfkiii, I've got some pics of pike as big as the biggest muskies! Or bigger!! |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Fair enough Larry. I look forward to seeing them.
Larry Ramsell - 3/8/2014 9:24 AM
Will give the pike some consideration, although this post, according to the moderators, has to run its course first.
And dfkiii, I've got some pics of pike as big as the biggest muskies! Or bigger!! |
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Posts: 455
| New Thread Mega Pike. Lets see some Euroslobs! |
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muskyrat - 3/8/2014 10:39 AM New Thread Mega Pike. Lets see some Euroslobs! I say let's forget those pike for a while because I'm still drooling on the muskie porn. I hope everyone understands just how lucky we are to have somebody like old uncle Lar... I once showed him my taped up dog eared first compendium and his reaction was a simple knowing nod understanding the obsession. If it's anything muskie past or present, he is usually right in the middle of it… and been a bloodhound on any big muskie trail for 40+ years, what an amazing body of work!
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| Ok well earned breather for Larry. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Larry Ramsell - 3/7/2014 2:28 PM
Musky Brian: I refer to to my earlier post re the 60's:
"Alrighty then, time to move on to 60-inchers. First, two qualifiers. I am not going to post every photo I have of claimed 60-inch and plus fish...too much digging in the files to do that and those I won't put here have already been published. Second, since none of the following fish were measured on a bump board (to my knowledge) I cannot speak to the veracity of the claimed lengths. You will have to make up your own mind."
fair enough....there is actually a replica of this fish in the Bear Bar in Winchester with this photo displayed near it. Next time some of you are up there check it out and let your own eyes do the judging....( I think the replica belongs in Hayward, it would fit in well  ) |
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| I would second your comment on Old uncle Lar as these people are a pleasure to just talk to as they have so information
e Jerry Newman - 3/8/2014 2:27 PM
muskyrat - 3/8/2014 10:39 AM New Thread Mega Pike. Lets see some Euroslobs! I say let's forget those pike for a while because I'm still drooling on the muskie porn. I hope everyone understands just how lucky we are to have somebody like old uncle Lar... I once showed him my taped up dog eared first compendium and his reaction was a simple knowing nod understanding the obsession. If it's anything muskie past or present, he is usually right in the middle of it… and been a bloodhound on any big muskie trail for 40+ years, what an amazing body of work!
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Location: St. Lawrence River | muskyrat - 3/8/2014 11:39 AM
New Thread Mega Pike. Lets see some Euroslobs!
I don't know if they would be worthy but I have a 40 and a 42" 20lb I would be willing to contribute to a pike thread. I'm proud of them! |
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Posts: 455
| Those are very nice fish for our area. You don`t see 40" often. Wait till you see what they get in Europe though. Like Larry said as big as any of the Muskies you have seen. Ludacris size fish. |
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| Musky Brian, seen that replica in the bear bar, not even close to 60" and the colors don't even look like a lac seul fish |
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Location: St. Lawrence River | muskyrat - 3/8/2014 10:37 PM
Those are very nice fish for our area. You don`t see 40" often. Wait till you see what they get in Europe though. Like Larry said as big as any of the Muskies you have seen. Ludacris size fish.
Yes I've seen lol, lots of pictures and videos.. Tobin Lake Sask. is a big pike factory as well. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Mr Musky - 3/8/2014 9:45 PM
Musky Brian, seen that replica in the bear bar, not even close to 60" and the colors don't even look like a lac seul fish
k good thought it was just me |
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| well for the pike people there is a picture on the web of a family from manitoba that caught and ate a pike i believe from cedar lake that was estimated at 70 inches. it was caught around the yeasr 2000 i think.
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| entertaining as always Larry Thanks Bill |
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| That had to be GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HANS79 - 3/10/2014 7:52 AM
well for the pike people there is a picture on the web of a family from manitoba that caught and ate a pike i believe from cedar lake that was estimated at 70 inches. it was caught around the yeasr 2000 i think. |
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| Larry,
Thank you for your posts, great way to get ready for the upcoming season. Also, a belated congratulations on your monster. A great and well deserved reward for a lifetime of chasing giants. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | Mr Musky - 3/8/2014 9:45 PM
Musky Brian, seen that replica in the bear bar, not even close to 60" and the colors don't even look like a lac seul fish
k good thought it was just me
yah they probably measured that 60"er from lac seul w the old floating stick in the water bobbing around like a bobber in 2 footers..if that thing is 60", I've caught some 58"ers... ; ) |
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Location: oswego, il | Larry Ramsell - 3/7/2014 5:27 PM
0723: Yes, but I risk death if I post it, LOL.
Larry without divulging specifics, how big are we talking? |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Todd, this post is referring back to the Illinois 60 inch found dead. It had a photo of the fish in it. |
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Location: Kansas City BBQ Capitol of the world | Thank you for posting this. This post is very interesting to me to know the "factual" history of the Muskie that always has, and will always be the "Fish of Myth". And with Muskies, "Fish of Myth" has more meaning than one.
Thank you.
Ron |
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Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Larry, everytime you bring out the old big muskie pix, you get me back in the search mode! I will have some time this fall to get the night bite on the "Larry" in for sure! Thanks for your the continued quest in search of Jumbino's!
Capt Larry D Jones |
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| larry whats your guess about the k.davidson 58"nipi55ing giant?do you thin it could top the current 58 pound record?
imo from the pics it should be a close call
http://www.ontariofishingcamp.net/coolstuff.htm
Edited by jano 3/15/2014 7:53 PM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | jano: First of all, the article you linked to has a ton of incorrect information contained within and much of same has been discussed on this board for several years now.
As for "guessing" how big the Davidson fish was, I will pass. Nothing good can come from it and the various formula "guesses" using various formula's when the girth was not even known is an exercise in futility. "If you don't weigh it, you shouldn't say it."! |
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| I believe that the next record muskie will come from the St. Lawrence. Reed and Victoria Findlan, Dale MacNair and Julie Cashaback caught some real monsters. Reed caught at least a half dozen 50" or over last year from the " Larry " and I hope they continue to catch and release those monsters, very exciting reading ! |
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| Cody - 3/16/2014 11:44 AM
I believe that the next record muskie will come from the St. Lawrence. Reed and Victoria Findlan, Dale MacNair and Julie Cashaback caught some real monsters. Reed caught at least a half dozen 50" or over last year from the " Larry " and I hope they continue to catch and release those monsters, very exciting reading !
Tip of the iceberg. |
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Location: Minneconia | That Lazarus/Barbosa pic with Lazarus looking like he's wrestling a bear is the best big fish picture ever. AAAARRGGGH! Haha |
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| No Muskies left in the St Lawrence LoL , but if your coming LJ let me know i've got a spot on the boat for you |
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| Dirt Esox - 3/16/2014 1:42 PM
That Lazarus/Barbosa pic with Lazarus looking like he's wrestling a bear is the best big fish picture ever. AAAARRGGGH! Haha
AGREED!!:) |
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| bryantukkah - 3/16/2014 1:17 PM
Cody - 3/16/2014 11:44 AM
I believe that the next record muskie will come from the St. Lawrence. Reed and Victoria Findlan, Dale MacNair and Julie Cashaback caught some real monsters. Reed caught at least a half dozen 50" or over last year from the " Larry " and I hope they continue to catch and release those monsters, very exciting reading !
Tip of the iceberg.
^^ what do you know Bryan ? How many? I know of 2 guys with over a dozen each!
All still swimming. |
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Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Bill, Thanks for the offer! Survival Suit & MRE's are ready for some long cold night's of early December! |
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| LarryJones - 3/17/2014 6:04 AM
Bill, Thanks for the offer! Survival Suit & MRE's are ready for some long cold night's of early December!
All Muskie Hunters are tough by nature but Capt Larry takes it to a new level. Don't forget, we're fishing the harbor on November 1. I'll bring a couple of my favorite Plows and $50 Hookers.
PS: Dane has already reeled in a couple on Kinkaid this year. My poor old boat ain't got wet yet. |
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| Sounds like a plan Larry , last two weeks of Dec are always me time LoL , Make the time and we can put some side bets on with Larry R and Mikey ,and you just know that Ace will want in on some action ! I usually am the first boat on the water in the spring and the last boat out in Dec and all nighters love them , sure hope you can make it this year ! |
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Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | I will be there from December 1st thru 15th, through any weather that comes our way! |
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| Brozz88 - 3/16/2014 8:21 PM
bryantukkah - 3/16/2014 1:17 PM
Cody - 3/16/2014 11:44 AM
I believe that the next record muskie will come from the St. Lawrence. Reed and Victoria Findlan, Dale MacNair and Julie Cashaback caught some real monsters. Reed caught at least a half dozen 50" or over last year from the " Larry " and I hope they continue to catch and release those monsters, very exciting reading !
Tip of the iceberg.
^^ what do you know Bryan ? How many? I know of 2 guys with over a dozen each!
All still swimming.
Exactly, those are just.... The tip of the iceberg. You didn't need the exclamation point, its really not that hard to find huge fish on that river. |
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Location: Around | sworrall - 3/6/2014 4:20 PM
From another thread from Larry that failed to merge:
At the risk of overwhelming your sensory organs, I decided to continue with my posting today rather than wait until tomorrow...I love this stuff and it sounds like you do to!
First I'll start with toad that has been published before. I have no details other than size, but it looked some much like the recent Charlie Gallagher tiger (48.5 x 28.5-google it) in its extreme obesity, I just had to put it up again. It was reported to be 48 x 32 and no weight was given, but 50 pounds wouldn't surprise me.
Came from Tuscarora Lake in PA. Pic and notes are a few posts down in the link below. 48 x 28.5. Never weighed. Caught while fishing for walleye of course....
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/images/be/splashes/2005/arch_summer.htm |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | joshm3357: Thanks for the correct size and information on this great fish! |
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Location: nationwide | Larry,
What do you believe is the largest fish to be caught out of the Chippewa Flowage? How about the Turtle/Flambeau Flowage?
Thanks
Corey Meyer |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Corey: I used to believe in the Ross 55 pounder from the Chip, but the mount just doesn't measure up unless it was really a botched job of mounting. Two of the three known photos don't look that big, but the third is somewhat impressive.
I imagine the 52 pounder that John Fleming caught was close to claim. Of course you know what I think about "Louie's" claim...
I know of no others from the Chip over 50 pounds.
As for the Turtle/Flambeau Flowage, Rita Hillenbrand's 52-8.25 with Guide Dick Sleight is the largest from there.
There is one other verified 50 pounder from the TFF, again caught by a women, a Mrs. Reinardy!
A third 50 "rumor" has never been able to be verified. |
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Location: nationwide | Do you have a pic of the Fleming fish? And thanks for the info Larry.
Corey Meyer |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Sorry Corey, I don't, but it can be seen at Herman's (The Landing). |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | How about this October, 2012 Giant from the St. Lawrence River sent along to me by Guide Dave Curtis (fishingfanaticguideservice.com). This fish wasn't weighed, but it is obviously a monster. It was 57.75 inches long!
(Avery Knapp 57.75 St. Lawrence_crop.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Would be remiss if I didn't post one of the largest ever to be captured in Wisconsin. Tom Gelb's monster weighed 51-3 and this shot shows what it takes girth wise to equal a real giant. Please, no comments about this special fish being kept.
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Location: Lake St.Clair | Wow that Dave Curtis fish is a absolute hog wonder what the girth was on that giant.. |
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| Does anyone know the size of this Eagle lake monster?
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| these monsters can grow big like this for 1 major reason, a good catch and release ethic.i prey and i sincerely hope these redneck will wakeup and start to give the same good care for these monster called gatorgar.
imo these dinosaurs deserve the same good care & protection.the massacre of that species is a real nonsense,specially when you look at the fight they can give. |
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| ToothTamer - 3/24/2014 9:21 AM
Wow that Dave Curtis fish is a absolute hog wonder what the girth was on that giant..
The girth on that one was 25 3/4". |
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| Anything on that Eagle lake musky, I know steve herbeck in the pic guided it, but cant find anything about size? Larry R...you know anything about this fish?? |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Mo: Herbie said it was 55 or 56 inches if my memory is correct. It was released...huge!
By special request, here is the photo of Charlie Gallagher's giant Tiger from the St. Louis River, MN/WI. It was 48.5 inches long with a girth of 28.5.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/24/2014 12:21 PM
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| Larry, Wow, it looks alot bigger than that and bigger than some of the 50#ers posted, i wonder what that fish weighed? The head and body just look huge in that pic, i wouldnt of been suprised if someone told me that thing was pushing 60#s. Cool that it was released.
Anyone else on here that goes to andy myers ever talked with herbie about that fish and what he guessed it weighed? Given steves knowledge of ski's I would assume he could guess it pretty close |
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Location: Inverary, Ontario | That is one heck of a girthy tiger !!! looks like a freak |
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| Funny that a potential world record was not big enough to keep according to the size limit. I know limits are not made to accommodate Hybrids but true strain fish get fat too. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | muskyrat: So true, but so few fish fit this mold that it can be considered a small sacrifice for the rest of the population. Would have been nice to know what it did weigh though.
Here is another St. Lawrence River monster caught by Bill Barber (with lousy photo by horsehunter). It was 56.25 inches long and first girthing was 28, but Bill said to wait a few seconds and do it again and the guys could actually see it deflate. The second measurement was 26.25 inches! Girth is a fickle "tool" to be using to estimate the actual size of these great fish...If you don't weigh it, you shouldn't say it.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/25/2014 11:42 AM
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| MuskyMo - 3/24/2014 12:42 PM
Larry, Wow, it looks alot bigger than that and bigger than some of the 50#ers posted, i wonder what that fish weighed? The head and body just look huge in that pic, i wouldnt of been suprised if someone told me that thing was pushing 60#s. Cool that it was released.
Anyone else on here that goes to andy myers ever talked with herbie about that fish and what he guessed it weighed? Given steves knowledge of ski's I would assume he could guess it pretty close
Yes, I know Herbie well and yes I have talked to him about the fish. The reason you'll never get a straight answer on how big that fish really was is because they just dont know.
The story goes that the client, Herbie's buddy Jack, had already taken his trophy deer early in his hunt. The rest of the guys there with Jack that week were out on their deer stands and Herbie and Jack were back at the lodge with nothing to do. Jack said, "we cant just sit here, lets go Musky fishing." So Herbie had one of the lodge employees re-launch his boat since it had already been pulled for the year. They went over to a well known spot somewhat near the lodge and caught that fish on a sucker.
Since the boat had to be relaunched, Herbie told me he did not have all of his equipment in the boat, including a measuring stick. Larry is correct that Herbie believes the fish to be around 55-56" (never got into details on how they measured it, but I know in the past in this situation Herbie has used a piece of line or flourocarbon and marked the fish's length and then back at the lodge laid the line up against a stick). In terms of weight, Herbie just kind of shrugged it of and when I said "over 50lbs?" he said "who know, maybe 55." And then shook his head.
I asked why he was shaking his head. And he said, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I pressed and he said, "that was the second largest fish on the reef that day." So naturally, I said, "how big was the other one?" Herbie looked at me and I gathered that he didnt want to talk about it any further. End of Story.
Edited by MstrMusky 3/25/2014 12:10 PM
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Location: Muskegon Michigan | I for one am very glad we have the new world record committee . The standards for measuring and weighing will keep all future records honest and that is important to me. So we have this new 58 pound fish. And its from My home state. I was not surprised really because I knew what that system was capable of. I hope now we can protect the rest of those girls from being harvested. It is time for the St. Lawrence and Georgian bay to answer the call and put the first completely verified 60 pound fish on the books. I am confident it will happen soon. I am also confident that we will end up somewhere north of 65 pounds . Our 58 pound fish had an almost empty stomach and no egg mass. The possibilities? your guess is as good as mine. |
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| MstrMusky - 3/25/2014 12:08 PM
MuskyMo - 3/24/2014 12:42 PM
Larry, Wow, it looks alot bigger than that and bigger than some of the 50#ers posted, i wonder what that fish weighed? The head and body just look huge in that pic, i wouldnt of been suprised if someone told me that thing was pushing 60#s. Cool that it was released.
Anyone else on here that goes to andy myers ever talked with herbie about that fish and what he guessed it weighed? Given steves knowledge of ski's I would assume he could guess it pretty close
Yes, I know Herbie well and yes I have talked to him about the fish. The reason you'll never get a straight answer on how big that fish really was is because they just dont know.
The story goes that the client, Herbie's buddy Jack, had already taken his trophy deer early in his hunt. The rest of the guys there with Jack that week were out on their deer stands and Herbie and Jack were back at the lodge with nothing to do. Jack said, "we cant just sit here, lets go Musky fishing." So Herbie had one of the lodge employees re-launch his boat since it had already been pulled for the year. They went over to a well known spot somewhat near the lodge and caught that fish on a sucker.
Since the boat had to be relaunched, Herbie told me he did not have all of his equipment in the boat, including a measuring stick. Larry is correct that Herbie believes the fish to be around 55-56" (never got into details on how they measured it, but I know in the past in this situation Herbie has used a piece of line or flourocarbon and marked the fish's length and then back at the lodge laid the line up against a stick ). In terms of weight, Herbie just kind of shrugged it of and when I said "over 50lbs?" he said "who know, maybe 55." And then shook his head.
I asked why he was shaking his head. And he said, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I pressed and he said, "that was the second largest fish on the reef that day." So naturally, I said, "how big was the other one?" Herbie looked at me and I gathered that he didnt want to talk about it any further. End of Story. : )
Wow thats a cool story!!. No wonder there hasnt been much talk about the size of that fish. A true Giant....also funny that their was a bigger one spotted. I know eagle has WR size class fish swimming in it and that story and picture confirm it. It would be coool to know the real weight and length but its cooler they let it go. if that fish is still alive what a monster she would be. What year did this happen? |
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| MuskyMo - 3/25/2014 1:42 PM
Wow thats a cool story!!. No wonder there hasnt been much talk about the size of that fish. A true Giant....also funny that their was a bigger one spotted. I know eagle has WR size class fish swimming in it and that story and picture confirm it. It would be coool to know the real weight and length but its cooler they let it go. if that fish is still alive what a monster she would be. What year did this happen?
I have not personally seen a WR in Eagle Lake. However, I believe the man that started this thread himself has. I never had the pleasure to fish there when Larry used to, but stories handed down, if true, would lead me to believe that Larry himself has chased a WR there on a spot he dubbed "World Record Point". Story goes that he saw/chased her for two consecutive years on that spot...and then she was just gone. Maybe she passed on to the great Musky afterlife. Maybe Larry will chime in and tell you the story straight from his mouth/keyboard. How big was she Larry?
The biggest fish I have seen there was on August 27, 2009 at just after 8AM. She followed all the way in, big blonde fish...saw her way out there come up behind my bait, and ate after about 4 or 5 figure 8s. I fought her for maybe 3 EPIC runs, and in the clear water looking down with my buddy standing to my right with the net...i saw her head shake to the side...and the bait kept going and then just fluttered down. Was it heartbreaking? Yes. Do I feel bad about it? No. I consider it an honor to have fought that fish for as long as I did, and all I can do is tip my cap and admit she just "won". I wouldn't do anything differently...she was more or less beak hooked and not much i could do except make sure she didnt jump, which she didn't. Herbie had seen the fish a few days earlier with another well known person in the Musky world. When he saw our long faces Herbie asked waht happened and we told him. And when we said something like "nobody really wants to say it but we are thinking that fish was over 50lbs"...Herbie said she was easily 55lbs.
I have zero doubt there are fish bigger than that in Eagle Lake, what with 2 60lb'ers in Larry's book, and an unverified 3rd fish alleged to be over 60lbs too. My hope in continuing to fish Eagle Lake is that I get better as a Musky fisherman so that one day I may get another chance at a fish like the one I lost in 2009...and that maybe, just maybe, the Musky gods will smile down upon me for a more favorable outcome. Until then, it's all just a "fish story".
(PS: I have my own cynical theories why Mother Eagle and the Musky gods did that to me in 2009, but that part of the musky lore will have to wait. )
Edited by MstrMusky 3/25/2014 2:40 PM
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| Larry , I have to say that Frank ( horsehunter ) has to be one of the best net men you can ask for , his picture taking skill's well that's another story LoL , Frank as someone who has caught more Muskies than most guy's can ever dream of will attest to watching the fish literaly deflate right before our eye's and this fish was not taken from deep water about 18 fow , makes you wonder how many girths are incorrect when rushing to get the fish back in the water as quick as possible , and yes the fish was released and swam away strong ,,,,, Bill |
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| charlie's tiger is by far the most desirable fish i have ever seen |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Billy Boy deserves what he gets I had my camera in my hands and he insisted I use his and he never mentioned the flash didn't come on automatically. Bill's a pretty good guy so I'm thankfull it was not a personal best. |
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| Kingfisher - 3/25/2014 1:31 PM
I for one am very glad we have the new world record committee . The standards for measuring and weighing will keep all future records honest and that is important to me. So we have this new 58 pound fish. And its from My home state. I was not surprised really because I knew what that system was capable of. I hope now we can protect the rest of those girls from being harvested. It is time for the St. Lawrence and Georgian bay to answer the call and put the first completely verified 60 pound fish on the books. I am confident it will happen soon. I am also confident that we will end up somewhere north of 65 pounds . Our 58 pound fish had an almost empty stomach and no egg mass. The possibilities? your guess is as good as mine.
if the fish was almost empty what was the cause of that girth then?
im not sure about that so empty stomach |
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Location: Muskegon Michigan | jano - 3/25/2014 4:34 PM
Kingfisher - 3/25/2014 1:31 PM
I for one am very glad we have the new world record committee . The standards for measuring and weighing will keep all future records honest and that is important to me. So we have this new 58 pound fish. And its from My home state. I was not surprised really because I knew what that system was capable of. I hope now we can protect the rest of those girls from being harvested. It is time for the St. Lawrence and Georgian bay to answer the call and put the first completely verified 60 pound fish on the books. I am confident it will happen soon. I am also confident that we will end up somewhere north of 65 pounds . Our 58 pound fish had an almost empty stomach and no egg mass. The possibilities? your guess is as good as mine.
if the fish was almost empty what was the cause of that girth then?
im not sure about that so empty stomach
The Michigan fish had a mostly digested 13 inch small mouth in its stomach. Back bone and head. I got that info from Larry and Will Schultz. No egg mass either. Her girth was just that big. she was a true 58 pound fish with no additions for stomach contents or egg mass. I believe at some point in her life she weighed much more. My guess is somewhere north of 65 pounds fully loaded. W e covered her stomach contents in the Biology forum months ago. We also saw posted pictures from a taxidermist of several other smaller fish that had up to 10 pounds of forage in their guts. It is my opinion that fully loaded they are Unicorns. Smiles everyone ha ha ha .
Mike:
That fish had an almost completely digested 13-inch smallmouth bass in it...only thing left was the backbone, ribs, tail and a tad of skin near it and the lower jawbone.
-----
Muskie regards,
Larry Ramsell
http://www.larryramsell.com
Mike
Edited by Kingfisher 3/25/2014 4:50 PM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Mstrmusky: Right on point about Jack's monster. I have wondered for years just how big that devil was. Jack is a big boy, but we must consider that the fish is in front of him in the photo, so the fish will appear larger, but even at that, it looks like it could eat 'ol Louies record fish! And to know that wasn't the largest one there that day just has to give one the shivers. There was also a slightly smaller one there.
As for your comment about me seeing a "WR in Eagle Lake", one must take it in the context of timing, as we used to think the record was near 70 pounds. Now that we know better, I can say that perhaps "maybe" I have seen one or two in Eagle that would make the grade. I lost one in 1969; "Flying Gertie" that escaped after a brief fight and a monster jump where I got a good look at her. I estimated her at the time to be 60 inches and around 60 pounds...she had a tremendous full length girth.
As for your reference to "World Record Point", that story has obviously "morphed" a bit over the years, as I do not recall such, at least by that name.
Eagle can be a very fickle love. While she did treat me to a couple over 40 pounds (largest 44 1/4 pounds), she teased me nearly to insanity thereafter. After catching three in one day, I began a three year stretch wherein I managed to put only one 15 inch "beauty" (you read it right, 15 inches) in the boat...BUT, during that three year stretch my fishing partners and I had shots at 4 different fish I estimated between 55 pounds and "up". None however did I believe were over 60 pounds, but I didn't get to weigh them. None hit the bait. Herbie and I believe the Wendelberg brothers got one of them and it was one of the biggest of the four! Another I dubbed "Basketball", because it looked like it swallowed one, was another I'd like to have gotten. I haven't been back since...
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/26/2014 8:20 AM
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| Larry Ramsell - 3/26/2014 8:16 AM
Mstrmusky: Right on point about Jack's monster. I have wondered for years just how big that devil was. Jack is a big boy, but we must consider that the fish is in front of him in the photo, so the fish will appear larger, but even at that, it looks like it could eat 'ol Louies record fish! And to know that wasn't the largest one there that day just has to give one the shivers. There was also a slightly smaller one there.
I have heard how the "big" the bigger fish is alleged to have been from other people who heard the story later that evening when Jack and Herbie relayed it. She is alleged to have almost eaten the sucker too, and I believe when the fish pictured with Jack & Herbie grabbed the sucker they thought for a little bit that it was "her" (AKA the other bigger one). I can't imagine having a sucker grabbed and not knowing for sure which GIANT grabbed it. Do you look down and say "Aww man, it's the smaller one. Shake it off." LOL! I assume you know that area where it was caught Larry, so you know what happens there in the Fall...given what you said about another slightly smaller fish being there...it doesnt surprise me. The "pack" came in...and Herbie and Jack just happened to "intercept" them there that day. What a day!
BTW, I don't know what it is, but the fish on Eagle these last few years seem to be packing up more. Any thoeries on why it would become more frequent?
Larry Ramsell - 3/26/2014 8:16 AM
As for your comment about me seeing a "WR in Eagle Lake", one must take it in the context of timing, as we used to think the record was near 70 pounds. Now that we know better, I can say that perhaps "maybe" I have seen one or two in Eagle that would make the grade. I lost one in 1969; "Flying Gertie" that escaped after a brief fight and a monster jump where I got a good look at her. I estimated her at the time to be 60 inches and around 60 pounds...she had a tremendous full length girth.
As for your reference to "World Record Point", that story has obviously "morphed" a bit over the years, as I do not recall such, at least by that name.
I hear you on the "tremendous full length girth" story of your Eagle fish. The one I lost...I've never seen anything like the girth on that fish. If Herbie called it 55lbs, and assuming its the same fish he saw across the channel a few days earlier...then what's even more amazing, to put it in perspective, is that I don't believe the fish to have been much more than 54", maybe 55" tops. It wasn't super long, but it looked like it literally just got done eating a 1/2 dozen pepperoni pizzas. I'll never forget the light cream colored sides and the light bronze spots on her side. She was obese.
RE: "WR Point"...well, whatever you called it...it's a good spot.
Larry Ramsell - 3/26/2014 8:16 AM
Eagle can be a very fickle love. While she did treat me to a couple over 40 pounds (largest 44 1/4 pounds), she teased me nearly to insanity thereafter. After catching three in one day, I began a three year stretch wherein I managed to put only one 15 inch "beauty" (you read it right, 15 inches) in the boat...BUT, during that three year stretch my fishing partners and I had shots at 4 different fish I estimated between 55 pounds and "up". None however did I believe were over 60 pounds, but I didn't get to weigh them. None hit the bait. Herbie and I believe the Wendelberg brothers got one of them and it was one of the biggest of the four! Another I dubbed "Basketball", because it looked like it swallowed one, was another I'd like to have gotten. I haven't been back since...
Hmmm, maybe you need to give Mother Eagle another try Larry. I know back in the day it was considered feast or famine, but in the dozen years I've been fishing it I have to say that there are numbers of 42-47" fish now. Eagle pretty much gives you (AKA "the boat") a chance at a fish per day minimum. Sprinkle in some true 52-54" 35-40+lb fish following your bait (and if you're lucky, catching them) almost daily...and I really don't want to fish anywhere else. And every so often, a true beast also gives you a glimpse of what lies beow the surface. That's what keeps me going back. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Mstrmusky:
Have thought many times about going back to Eagle and Herbie has been after me to come back too. I think I just left too much of myself there over the nearly 35 years I fished there and was in love with the place. WR fish there? You bet, but can you catch them? I thought Herbie would have one of them by now, but even he hasn't gotten "the ONE" to bite yet. My longest from there was 53 inches.
As for me, I got introduced to 3 or 4 other populations of big muskies that do actually bite and fairly often. Since I've left Eagle, me and my fishing buddies have boated 14 muskies over 55 inches and two of them were over 50 pounds! The Eagle "pain" is gone!! Maybe I'll get back there one day as I do miss it, but for now I'm happy... |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | How about this photo of Dale McNair's 57 x 33. I don't believe this one has ever been published as it isn't a great shot of Dale, but I believe it does show the fish's girth better. Can you say "fat"? Photo courtesy Dale McNair. Sorry I couldn't open a better resolution of this photo.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 3/31/2014 9:26 AM
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Location: Oswego, IL | Yup
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Kingfisher - 3/25/2014 5:43 PM jano - 3/25/2014 4:34 PM Kingfisher - 3/25/2014 1:31 PM I for one am very glad we have the new world record committee . The standards for measuring and weighing will keep all future records honest and that is important to me. So we have this new 58 pound fish. And its from My home state. I was not surprised really because I knew what that system was capable of. I hope now we can protect the rest of those girls from being harvested. It is time for the St. Lawrence and Georgian bay to answer the call and put the first completely verified 60 pound fish on the books. I am confident it will happen soon. I am also confident that we will end up somewhere north of 65 pounds . Our 58 pound fish had an almost empty stomach and no egg mass. The possibilities? your guess is as good as mine. if the fish was almost empty what was the cause of that girth then? im not sure about that so empty stomach The Michigan fish had a mostly digested 13 inch small mouth in its stomach. Back bone and head. I got that info from Larry and Will Schultz. No egg mass either. Her girth was just that big. she was a true 58 pound fish with no additions for stomach contents or egg mass. I believe at some point in her life she weighed much more. My guess is somewhere north of 65 pounds fully loaded. W e covered her stomach contents in the Biology forum months ago. We also saw posted pictures from a taxidermist of several other smaller fish that had up to 10 pounds of forage in their guts. It is my opinion that fully loaded they are Unicorns. Smiles everyone ha ha ha . Mike: That fish had an almost completely digested 13-inch smallmouth bass in it...only thing left was the backbone, ribs, tail and a tad of skin near it and the lower jawbone. ----- Muskie regards, Larry Ramsell http://www.larryramsell.com Mike Actually, she had 4-6#'s of eggs in her if I remember right. Larry would have to confirm the exact # since he was there when she was opened up. |
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| To be perfectly honest the true world record before the BS was 58 lbs. When I look at all these monsters Larry posted and hear the stories I see 58 lbs. max with most. The current record is 58lbs. Will we see 60lbs? Maybe but sure seams 58 is about max and many have been caught within a few ounces. Great stories but 58lb. max I would bet in every case. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Andy don't bet anything you really need |
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Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Bet no one talks! |
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| Want to see a big old fish check out the photo the old owner of the fish bowl in danbury wi has. I saw it about twenty years ago, I think his name was greg. if he will show it to you! |
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Location: Muskegon Michigan | All Larry told me was that she had a mostly digested small mouth and no eggs. Still her egg mass would have been real small in September. Fully ripe they would weigh a lot more so that still makes my point that at some time she may have weighed more like 65 pounds. Its all on that other thread in the Biological forum. Mike |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Will/Kingfisher: The Seeberger fish contained a mere 2.32 pounds of eggs and was caught on October 13. Egg mass can be as much as 20% of body weight according to Dr. Bernard Lebeau. Of course there is no way to know what the egg mass would have been come spawning time.
All righty then. I've just finished sorting some more of my files and found a whole host of additional BIG fish to post up over the next couple of days. We'll start with my old friend Howard Wagner. Howard runs the Fish Education Center in Frombell, PA.
Howard has chased and caught BIG muskies all over North America and has pioneered some places where few have dared to go! Ironically, he has caught some of his largest muskies close to home. This first fish may have possibly been the second largest muskie ever caught in PA, not too far behind the near 90 year old state record! In Howard's words:
"The skinny water musky is the 54 1/2" that was near the mouth of a tributary that ran into the Allegheny River, PA in Jan 2000. It was just as wide as it was thick. It had a bigger head than me and my head is big...The Allegheny River musky hit a Crane Bait while (I was) wading. I weighed it on my Chitillion (sp) scale at around 52#.
"The (more) recent musky is from Lake Erie and was 52 1/2" with a small head but had a giant pot belly with a middle girth of 28 1/2"."
The second fish was not weighed. Howard caught it on a Legend Plow 28' deep in November of 2006.
More in the morning.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 4/3/2014 1:59 AM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Michigan again makes some noise with this 52 pounder from a place not normally heard from...Grand Traverse Bay! It was caught by Jim Vozar.
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | How about a great Utah Tiger by a Lady? Kay Moore caught this 51 inch Tiger from Pineview Reservoir.
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | And again the Ladies shine! Denise Murphy landed this giant 54 x 26+ dandy from Georgian Bay fishing with Jody Mills.
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Dr. Wayne Beilman caught this 53 x 26.75 giant that weighed over 50 pounds from Georgian Bay.
(Dr. Wayne Beilman 53 x 26.75 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | My good friend Bruce Wisner nailed this giant 57 x 27.5 awhile back. Since then he has caught one an inch and a half longer!!
Edited by Larry Ramsell 4/3/2014 11:18 AM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Back to the Ladies...this one is a guide! Patricia Strutz boated this magnificent 54 x 30 from Lake of the Woods.
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Larry Ramsell - 4/3/2014 2:53 AM Will/Kingfisher: The Seeberger fish contained a mere 2.32 pounds of eggs and was caught on October 13. Egg mass can be as much as 20% of body weight according to Dr. Bernard Lebeau. Of course there is no way to know what the egg mass would have been come spawning time. Moved this discussion back to the biology forum: http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=86030&posts=15#M704085 |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Jody Dahms pulled in this massive 54 x 28 from Mille Lacs Lake fishing with Steve Jonesi.
(Jody Dahms 54 x 28 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | This Mike Belz monster was also from Mille Lacs Lake. With a massive, full length girth, this beauty was easily well over 50 pounds!
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Let's toss in an Illinois fish shall we? Todd Clanin caught this dandy twice. The first time it was 49.5 inches long. Four years later he got it again when it was 54 inches long. Yep, catch and release works! It was a Mississippi River (Leech Lake) strain fish.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 4/3/2014 10:39 AM
(Todd McClanin 54 inch Illinois! 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | How about a couple from one of my favorite lakes, Lake Nip-issing in central Ontario. This first is an upper 50 inch beauty caught by Kevin Davidson and the second a monster 57 x 27 caught by Dave Zeller. Dave's fish was an unusual spotted color pattern for Nip. Most there are less visibly marked.
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Fellow book author Richard Minch can also catch them. He wrote: "The sunset was at 6PM. The moonrise was at 6:15PM. The moon was full. A triple witching hour. I caught the fish at 6:10PM. 53 long with a thirty inch girth. Lake Erie."
A typical late fall fish from the east end of Lake Erie and Buffalo Harbor!
(Richard Minch 53 x 30 Lake Erie 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Another late fall giant, this November dandy was caught by Jim Roerig from Lake Vermilion. It was 52 x 28.50!
(Jim Roerig Vermilion 52 x 28.50 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Jim Saric caught this giant the day after I left the St. Lawrence River (a not uncommon occurrence where I'm concerned! It was the second time in as many years, the previous year Jody Mills boated a 53 pounder the day after I left. In 2011 Ed Barbossa did it to me with his 58 pounder and last year Big Fish Carlson did it with his 56 inch, 55 pounder! But I'm not always a bridesmaid...). Jim monster was 56 x 27.50...
Edited by Larry Ramsell 4/3/2014 10:59 AM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Let us not forget Graham Bristow's beast from Georgian Bay a few years back. Forgot to mark on the photo the size, but I believe it was either 56 or 57 inches long with an obvious large girth.
(Graham Bristow Georgian Bay 001.jpg)
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | And last but not least is one I picked off the net that was entitled "LowKey". It was 56.50 inches long and weighed 51 pounds. It was caught from the Rideau River, Ontario. It was caught on a Suick.
(56.5 in. 51 pounds Rideau River 001.jpg)
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Posts: 63
| Very fine fish you posted Larry. Thank you for this thread! You are pumping all of us up for the impending season! I know it has made me look forward to fishing Curlew again this summer!!! get ready for some nice pictures from there I hope! |
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Location: tamahawk,wi-elmwood pk,il | Hi LARRY what the oldest large musky on record you know of caught on rod and reel . Would you also know of what bait used at the time . ps I seen your presentation thIs last winter at THE CHICAGOLAND MUSKY HUNTERS very informative and great pictures . |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | lurenut: The oldest angler caught I know of is 29 years old. The oldest I know of was aged by the old scale method (very inaccurate in older fish and "underestimates age") was 33 years. More than likely it was a few years older than that. Very few however, live that long...kinda like a person over 100 years old.
Got another "never ending" beauty to share. Bill Barber got a better photo of this massive 58 x 27 from the St. Lawrence River. Click on photo to see it all.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 4/3/2014 10:28 PM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Ok, this will likely be the last one for this thread. I came across it while working on my Esox Oddities file, which I will begin posting a bit later today. In this thread we have seen two massive bellies on a Muskie and a Tiger Muskie that we from fish that were 48.5 x 28.5. This one may have them beat at only 44.50 inches long, this beast, with an obvious ovarian problem, weighed 43 pounds! No girth was given with this photo in the May/June 1995 issue of In-Fisherman magazine.
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | photo too large - will have to resize...
Edited by dfkiii 4/7/2014 1:11 PM
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| ^ that's a lot of trash to remove.
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Location: MN | It seems Mr. Ramsell may have an addition for this thread...
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | nar160 - 12/18/2018 12:21 PM It seems Mr. Ramsell may have an addition for this thread... Hard to keep it on the down low when you put it into the Lung Log... I'm sure he'll share the photo soon.
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Great fish and great experience! My personal best for my 62 year career chasing "The Noble Beast"! Click on photo to see it all. Fish was weighed on a certified scale before release and the scale accuracy was verified last week by the Wisconsin Dept. of Weights & Measures. Scale showed "zero deviation". Fish weight was 54.40 pounds (54# 6.4oz). Time to retire?...hmmm, don't think so! LOL
Edited by Larry Ramsell 12/18/2018 12:13 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Congratulations again! Next step 60!!! |
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Location: MN | What a beast. Congrats! |
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Location: The desert | Larry, not trying to be a jerk here, but certainly you have a better photo of that fish than that? Congrats on your catch! |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Files too big. Best shot will be published later. Had trouble getting a "good" shot and didn't want to take extra time "posing" with the fish. Durn thing was too heavy to manipulate and didn't want a vertical hold shot.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 12/18/2018 1:17 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | here is a shot of the head.. other pics he was going to save for a magazine article or 2...great fish Larry, goes to show how truly hard it is to pass 55 lbs ....
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Location: Chisholm, MN | Beast! I’d say it’s hard to pass 32 pounds, let alone 50 |
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| Congratulations on your second verified 50+ lb fish. a real beauty.
Rich |
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| Nice fish Larry! Did you get a girth measurement at all? Just curious what the girth was to weigh 54.4 pounds. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | another shot
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| It's cool to cruise thru nothing but big fish in this thread. Thanks again to Larry for having the passion to keep track of these historical fish. |
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| Congrats Larry! The look on your face in the pics says it all. Dandy fish! |
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Location: WI | Great fish Larry. I'm sitting here, hearing the Bunchman's voice as I read the story behind your catch in the Lunge Log. |
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Location: Already Gone | Yes Sir, great fish Larry. Congratulations.!
And Merry Christmas! |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Baby Mallard: Following is a statement I made in an earlier post in this thread regarding girth:
"Here is another St. Lawrence River monster caught by Bill Barber. It was 56.25 inches long and first girthing was 28, but Bill said to wait a few seconds and do it again and the guys could actually see it deflate. The second measurement was 26.25 inches! Girth is a fickle "tool" to be using to estimate the actual size of these great fish...If you don't weigh it, you shouldn't say it."
Having said that, I don't wish to promote the weighing of muskies except for the special giants.
And thanks and Merry Christmas to all as well. May Santa bring you a coupon for your giant in 2019!!!
Edited by Larry Ramsell 12/19/2018 10:49 AM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Larry Ramsell - 12/19/2018 11:47 AM B Having said that, I don't wish to promote the weighing of muskies except for the special giants. And thanks and Merry Christmas to all as well. May Santa bring you a coupon for your giant in 2019!!! Thank you for saying you're not promoting weighing muskies!! To each their own but I really don't see a point in putting a scale to anything less than 50#. Merry Christmas to you too!
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| tks larry.it laways make me laugh evry time i say another giant from thousand islands tried to released giant.it look like the guys from that area love to keep the big one |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Will: Concur with your point on weighing.
supertrollr: My fish was released and it didn't come from the Thousand Islands. |
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| Congratulations on a beast !! Thanks for sharing
Darren |
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Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | Congrats Larry! A true Queen! |
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| Congrats on the great catch. |
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| On occasion all I do is to weight the fish in the net. Only takes a sec and no worry about jaw distention or holding vertical. Using a fish friendly tangle free net helps as well. |
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| Congrats Larry , you have been on a roll fishing with Mike , keep up the good work ,,,on to bigger and better in 2019,,, Bill |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Trophyhunter1958: No doubt, my roll in the capture of the giants has merely been to "reel them in". Mike is the genius behind it all!!
I could not in good conscience compare my accomplishment to the likes of Tom Gelb who "did it the hard way" in capturing a 50+ pounder from inland Wisconsin waters, row trolling in winter conditions, by himself! THAT, is a superhuman accomplishment. |
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| Don't sell yourself short Larry , remember i've seen you out there fishing covered in ice , shivering and shaking like a dog passing pine cones , you have earned it and it is well deserved ! |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Thanks Bill. Probably the worst part of the day is the time it takes to put on all the layers of clothing before starting out. Of course setting the rods and cleaning the lures multiple times per pass in 35 degree water takes a bit of a toll on the hands too. And of course no top on the boat and no heater in zero degree wind chill adds to the "fun"!
Recall one time in zero degree wind chill and a strong west wind, the ice build-up on the sides of the boat added at least 400 pounds of weight to it and we weren't out more than a couple of hours. Certainly a time of the year to be extra careful.
Edited by Larry Ramsell 12/22/2018 9:41 AM
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Location: Eastern Ontario | supertrollr - 12/19/2018 1:12 PM
tks larry.it laways make me laugh evry time i say another giant from thousand islands tried to released giant.it look like the guys from that area love to keep the big one
Could you direct me to all of these fish that you say are kept in the Thousand Islands. Not sure if your hinting at people saying they tried to release and couldn't . I spend a lot of time out there and know and am in constant contact with many others that spend more time than I from both sides of the border. This is not something I'm seeing or hearing about. Dr. John Casselman told me if I had a big fish die on me that he wanted it for research. Fortunately to this point it hasn't happened. |
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| Great fish, most appear to best any of my bigger fish, not that it's a contest, Some real bruisers wow. BTW merry X-mass all. |
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| Anyone see the 59 1/4" on the Musky Hunter Facebook page ?
What you think ?
Darren |
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| ^ i thought it was awesome and legit too. finally i might be able to believe in a 60 |
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| Looks like a world record release right there. 56.8lbs. Congrats to those guys is in order. What a beast!!!
Edited by 4amuskie 12/25/2018 7:42 AM
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | 4amuskie: While definitely a near 5 foot giant, it falls a bit short of the "MuskieFirst" Release World Record and wasn't properly documented. See:
https://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10... |
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| Maybe not a "muskiefirst" world record, but, certainly undisputable length would put it right up there on top. Not many have been past that mark!! Stuff a 10lb walleye or some other bait fish down her and boom, winner winner chicken dinner...lol |
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| A lot of people fish trophy waters who never post a picture. We’ve caught some absolute giants - A lot of people are after a 60lb fish and you won’t here about them until they catch it. It’s not worth the Having more pressure on the water or criticism on the internet. |
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | Ok, 2019 and time to go back into history over 100 years; 1907 to be exact. Unfortunately, this will only be a story as no picture was available. This was sent to me by Robert Gollonik, thank you Robert. It is a story from the July 20, 1907 and was printed in the Eagle River newspaper:
"Hooks 67 Pound Fish"
Judge Bailey of Eau Claire, (WI) lands big muskellunge after water king had upset his boat. Hayward, July 20, 1907"
Pitting swimming powers against those of the monster fish in an hour's battle Judge W.F. Bailey of Eau Claire landed the monarch muskellunge of Sand Lake. A sixty-seven & one-half pounder and won the championship of the region for his club the Kingfishers. The Judge was trolling when the huge muskie struck and the fight was on. The line caught the bow of the boat and it was overturned but the Judge in spite of his 65 years, tied the line around him and started for a companions boat. A life line was tossed to him, the Judge pulled to safety and the fight renewed. C.W. Wilson of Tuscola, Ill, the rescurer lending his aid. For half an hour the water king kept up his fight before he could be drawn near the boat & shot.
In its mammoth jaws were found imbedded, two Skinner Spoon Hooks evidence of struggles in which the muskie had escaped its human foes after being fairly hooked.
The last duty of the former ruler of Sand Lake was to furnish dinner to seventy-five guests in the hotel in Hayward, after he had been placed in a place of honor where all the towns people could gaze upon him."
Wow! Reverse deja vu. That last part sure sounds familiar for Hayward "record muskies" later in that century... |
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| Court judge or tournament judge? Either way, sounds fishy |
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| Lol...love the water king story...thanks for posting Larry
Edited by 4amuskie 1/4/2019 1:04 PM
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