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| I am new to the sport 3 years and have been fishing Minnesota waters. I can catch fish up to 47 inches but I still cant catch a 50 incher that everyone says is so common in Minnesota lakes. I put them on the yard stick and they still dont make it. It seems like the muskie community says you have not got a big fish, until its fat and 50 inches. I have caught about 75 muskys and many were legal but I still cant catch those big fish. How long does it take to catch those big fish? |
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| Noggin,
50 inch fish are not as common as some may lead you to think. Alot of people think that some of the fish they are seeing in the water are 50 inches, but most are probably high 40's. Anyone who says that a 47 incher is not a big fish is full of it. My biggest is a 46, and this was my 4th year huntin' 'skies. I also fish Minnesota, and it is tough. Hopefully, we can work on getting more waters to fish, and that will relieve some of the pressure on our existing waters. Where are you from?
Don't be disappointed about the fish you are catching, they are big fish!
Good Luck,
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| Maybe your next cast. Thats why we are so addicted. I've fished muskies for over thirty years and your personal best is bigger than mine. I've had several 50s on and always seem to screw something up. Oh well (maybe next cast). Alot of these 50s are seen first and then relentlessly persued until they eat. [:0] [:bigsmile:] |
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| I fish Minnesota waters as well. I've caught a total of 134 in my life and still haven't cracked a 50. I came close this year with 3 of them 49" or better. But the 50" mark continues to elude me. As was previously stated, 50" fish are not common and are even harder to catch.
Keep putting in the time and your day will come. You're off to a great start for your first 3 years. |
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| More important is the sense of accomplishment YOU feel when catching your fish. dont use 50" as some barometer for feeling good about your catch. Use your own judgement. A big fish is what you feel is big. Use that and dont feel you are "not cutting it" without a 50". More guys than not have never caught a 50". Just enjoy the sense of accomplishment no matter how big. |
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| Scratch Noggin,
This is a great topic. I had been beating myself up for a couple years because that 50"er had been eluding me. I've been fishing for muskies for about 7 years, and in that timespan I've seen my dad get a 50", I've seen Lungin get 2 50"ers, including a 52", I've seen my cousin get a 50".....Why did they catch the 50"s and I didn't? In the meantime, I was flirting with that number many people consider a true trophy...50"!!! I had lost a couple big fish, landed a 48" in 1996, landed a 49" in 1997, landed a 48.5" in 2001 that had no tail (I was REALLY pissed it had no tail). This year I finally got my 50"! It was an absolute thrill, and as much a relief. I only fish 3-4 times a year, but we go to lakes that have big fish, in Minnesota.
From reading these other posts, I feel very fortunate to catch the fish I have. A 47" fish is a great accomplishment, especially fishing muskies for only 3 years. And to catch as many as you have is quite an accomplishment in itself. That 50" will come. It took me 7 years.
I think the reason I was so freaked out about not catching a 50" was because 3 of my best friends had caught their 50"s and they would always remind me of that!!!! NOT ANYMORE! |
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| Noggin, as with the rest of these folks attesting to the fact that 50" are hard to come by. I can tell you from 1st hand experience that for me it has come to seem that a 50" fish is all but impossible. My best year ever I personally caught and released 52 legal fish. Between guide clients and tourney partners that year there was another 60 or so legals in the boat. No and I repeat no, nada, not one, never a 50" at all. I mean before that year, including that year, or after that year. I am caught in the same deal as Jason S. I can get one that is almost 50" but not quite. I have been at this for over 20 years and it does at times get on my nerves a little that I can't seem to land one of those big girls. I realize that I fish water that does not have a lot of big fish, but hey, there are some in there. I have seen some, I have friends that have caught them. I have just recently started fishing trully big fish water and have actually had some true giants on and lost them. Now that I know the where and the time. It is just a matter of being there enough and putting my time in and I will connect. Hopefully this coming year. You know I am getting older by the minute.[:(] |
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| Noggin,
I stand behind Muskyone here,
I think there is alot of luck involved. I know guys that have caught 50 and 52" fish in MN that have never got 10 in three years. So you catching 75 is fantastic. Tells me that you know what you are doing. MN is not really numbers waters.
Maybe you should concentrate on lakes that are not as popular and have good numbers of large fish. Small lakes in the Detriot lakes area, St. Cloud and Grand Rapids areas. I have heard many good things about those lakes producing large skies. They can be tough but it should be worth a try.
I have personally caught well over 400 and been 1.5" shy twice and this year 1.75" shy and I had to go to MN to do it. So its fate. I fish preasured waters so I get results that are according. A 45" fish on my home lake is a sow!, fiftys happen but are rare. Once or twice a season and only by folks that never fish the lake much or have good equiptment if you get my drift.
Keep at it, you have some waters that in my opinion better then Canada and you will land that monster fatty soon. When you do..please share it with us.[:)] |
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| Noggin,
I've been fishing for ski's on purpose for about 7 years. My largest to date is a 47", but I have missed some that were definately over 50"! I'm not discouraged at all. I don't fish "big" fish waters alot, but I fish hard, and I am happy with any fish I get. Besides, I just know the the next cast will bring that magical 50+.
Now, to put things in perspective, consider this. I recall hearing John G mention recently that Pete Maina had landed his 12th or 13th 50"+ fish. And 3 of those came this year! Here's a guy that I, as well as many others, consider one of the best Muskie fishers there is. Doesn't sound like alot, does it? How long has Pete been fishing for ski's, and how many hours has he put in? Just goes to show that the 50 is not that easy to come by!
Seems to me, when my dad talked about it, the magical number was 48". He always talked about 4 footers with a gleem in his eye. |
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| nog.
Keep at it. If your only 3 years young, you still got a lot to learn. I've been at it for 18 years (god I'll getting old) and still looking for what "I" consider big.
If we all got 50's every cast, there would be no reason to keep plugin away! |
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| I'll trade you for your numbers!!
I barely escaped an entire season without catching ANY muskies. Came down to the last hour of the last day of fishing (and we broke ice to get out that Friday afternoon).
That 32ish and skinny muskie put a sliver of silver on my season. I actaully got to catch him twice: first time I was joking around with my buddy about not setting the hook on a few earlier this season, and the dang fish got off the hooks near the boat. Frustrated, I threw the bait back in his direction and he grabbed it immediately. Same fish. Only this time I didn't fool around, got him in the net, photo-ed and released.
Anyway, there'll be times like that, but I chalk it up to not much time on the water. My fishing parnter was unavailable with family trouble this year, and I spent most of July on Widespread Panic tour.
So next season HAS TO be better, doesn't it?!
Later,
papa joe
minneapolis
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