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Posts: 151
Location: West of the metro, MN | How big does a musky have to be before you get a replica? |
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| Whatever the legal size limit is where caught. |
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| You can make a replica of any size Muskie. Takes some good photos and a few measurements and let the fish go. Replicas don't use any part of the fish. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | its a replica not the real fish so any size you want. i did my first 50" i have not even come close to that again glad i did it. |
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Posts: 151
Location: West of the metro, MN | I know what a replica is, I was just asking at what size do other people start to mount their trophies? I've caught a 50" and a 50.25" and am debating if I should spend that much money to get one done. |
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Posts: 113
| I set the bar at 55" for myself. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | like i said i went with 50". seems every one has a magical number.when i first started 50 was a monster so thats where i set the bar for me. know im looking for a 60" i know there out there just have to find it. on the other hand i dont want to catch it.i have a thing going with the guys i work with i catch a 60" i shave my head. |
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Posts: 114
| I'd shave my grandma's legs for a 60"! Hahaha! I'm also on the fence for getting my first replica. My buddy's all have right around 50s, so I'm gonna wait until 52" or bigger. Gotta one up them!
Edited by MuskieJim 8/19/2012 2:57 PM
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Posts: 618
Location: Michigan | 54"+ would probably be the length for me, but I'm not even sure if I would get a replica as it would probably be too expensive. I would most likely get a nice, big, framed photo of the fish instead. |
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Posts: 2372
Location: Chisholm, MN | Depends on where I catch it and the girth. 50 on some lakes I fish and 54-55 on others. I only have one 50 to my name and it didn't make the cut for a replica |
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Posts: 243
| The memory of the outing made the decision for me. I got a 50 and my father was there to net it for me. Seeing that mount on the wall every morning when I come down the stairs makes my day. I never think about what I spent on that mount or second guess whether I should have waited for a different one. I've caught other fish that size, but that one meant something. Might have had it done even if it was smaller. Would take a really special fish to have another one done... 48+ tiger would probably do it, but I doubt I'll ever get another pure done. Probably all relative to the waters you fish too. A 45" pure might be a huge fish to some guys. |
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Posts: 1086
| For me it would depend on the fish. Doesn't even have to be a 50 incher to be worthy of a replica. There's a lot of skinny 50 inch fish out there. I've caught some FAT 45-48 inchers before that were big pot-bellied pigs! Quality fish.
For me to get a replica, it would have to be a quality fish, not necessarily a long fish. Would just depend. Granted, if I were to get a big 'ole 55+ bohemoth....well then...
Guidelines for me would be:
- Quality fish, ie, FAT. Not just healthy...I'm talking FAT (My definition of a FAT fish from most people's definition of a "fat" fish, I've found are two completely different definitions.)
- Beautiful markings/color on the fish (Example: Tigers make for awesome replicas)
- Something unique or very memorable about the catch of that fish that day, ie, time, place, situation at hand, people I was with, etc. I want not only the memory of the fish, but also the unique story of the catch that day to go along with it....the whole package.
Edited by MACK 8/20/2012 8:24 AM
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Posts: 415
| It all depends on what it means to you. If its something you want to remember or you want a cool decoration for a "man cave" than do it. You have to realize even a 40" fish looks huge to most non-fisherman, or even most non musky fisherman. Never let money be the limiting factor. I couldn't afford my first replica, but I did it anyway and just made monthly payments on it. I look back now and it was worth every cent. Don't worry about others guidelines. I have known people who mount 4 point whitetail deer just because it was something they wanted to remember, and good for them.
For me right now 54+ is the next one I will mount, then again I already have 3. |
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Posts: 24
| I think that I'd be more interested in how big the fish needs to be before you kill it. Maybe 35 pounds for me.
As I look at a 52" replica, I say 50" is plenty big enough for a replica. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | It's a matter of purpose behind the replica. Some set their bar so high they may never achieve it, but for them it's a challenge they enjoy pursuing. An opinionated observation about those types are that replicas to them aren't so much so for the decor as much as they are a symbol of an accomplished goal. Others, like myself, like to decorate with muskies on my wall, so I get them done if the fish is good looking in my eyes, holds a special memory and has some size to boot. So it's all relative to your motivation for getting a rep done.. |
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Posts: 463
| My father in law at age 59 caught his first muskie. It was at the cabin that he built, with his daughters and grand kids watching. My wife and I decided to get a replica for him to hang on the wall overlooking the river he caught it on. Fish was 32 inches long, and I don't think he could have been more thrilled. Even though its probably the smallest fish Fitatte has ever done my father in law loves it. Bottom line is this, do what makes you happy. |
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Posts: 40
Location: B;acksburg Virginia | i have a replica of a 50 inch 38 pounder, it was my very first muskie caught it while fishing with my dad when i was 15 years old. |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | I'm shooting for a very obese 50" myself. But like its been said situation/meaning play a big role. I'll probably get a replical of my boy's first one when he gets old enough to go whether its 48 or 28. |
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | For me personally it is a a 48" regular or 45" tiger. For my son I will get a replica of his first 40. |
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Posts: 127
| my first solid 50" will be going on the wall, otherwise a 45" tiger would also qualify for a replica |
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| You need to ask yourself what the fish means to you. And also, if you fish trophy waters, to me it doesn't make sense to get a 50" if it's not uncommon to get a 54"+ (e.g., St. Clair, Vermilion, etc.). But if the fish is exceptionally special then that might overcome size. |
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