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| I would make every effort to release a fish like that. I wouldn't even bother measuring it because I can just post the pictures and let others tell me how big that fish was.
If it does happen to die on me that thing will first pay a visit to a fishery biologist. Alot more could be learned from a fish like that than it would immediately going to get a mount done. Skin mount or replica in this scenario....eh...the best way to remember a trophy like that is in knowing that it could unlock the doors for biologists in understanding more about growing world record class fish. |
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Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania | maybe musky boats should be equipped with livewells big enough for the musky to comfortably stay in.....lol then you could get all the required info and let it go....... |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | "Fish is DEAD, frozen in a big cooler and shipped in dry ice to Fittante."
Wouldn't many serious musky fishermen ask, "Why Fittante and not Lax?"
That's always a good argument.  More fun than any record controversy, that's for sure.
Kevin
Will the mortgage rates ever drop? |
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| Conservation license for me too. |
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Location: Frost | I wish we'd move past the argument concerning the 'keep it because it's your legal right' attitude, that should have died with Louis Spray's generation. Trophy fish, especially world record class fish, are so rare that they, along with their genetics, should be looked at as an invaluable public resource, not an individual angler's shot at glory camoflauged as a way to end the controversy over the current record, our total commitment to C&R is what separates us muskie anglers from the masses |
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Posts: 253
Location: On the water | I agree with John Skarie,
I'd rather be known for releasing big fish than killing them!!
What a great quote!!
Tom |
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Posts: 76
| BONK! Would love to see a new record. It would end all the Spray bull.
Edited by IntroC 4/30/2008 7:09 AM
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Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | .
Edited by C_Nelson 6/7/2008 8:38 AM
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Location: Hudson, WI | FEVER - 4/30/2008 5:56 AM
I agree with John Skarie,
I'd rather be known for releasing big fish than killing them!!
What a great quote!!
Tom
So there it is. Instead of writing a clear new record into the books, one that is not constantly questioned, it would be viewed as a shame for someone to keep that fish. No pats on the back for the guy who caught it?
If a fish weighs #60, I'm guessing it has had a chance to pass on her incredible genetics about 20+ times previously, and that's only if natural reproduction occurs. Most lakes, it doesn't even happen. Also, if the fish is that old, how much longer does it have to live? I would rather a guy sets a true record 60# fish through angling than the DNR recovering a 61# floater. |
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Nobody said it would be viewed as a shame. Nobody said they would look down on another for keeping the record.
I could care less about proving anothers record to be false.
I, and many others anglers just don't want to kill one. It's as simple as that.
Seems a lot of you like to put words into people's mouths and twist meanings to make them look a certain way.
JS |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I see divergent opinions, and no twisting of anything at all. |
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Posts: 84
| I would let it go. I have the memory, I have the photos, I have the measurements and I can have a replica made. I do not need the dead animal or the approval of others to know and appreciate what I caught. It would be more about the experience to me. If someone else chose to keep the fish, and it is thier legal right, then it would be thier decision. A great idea I learned from a friend last year was he carried a digital bathroom scale in his boat. Just step on it before and after you catch the fish. Now you have a better idea of what you have in your hands without additional harm to the fish.
Rick |
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Location: The desert | Dont you think it would speak volumes to those that dont understand how important C&R is to musky fishing, if a die hard musky angler released a would be WR?
What is more important to the further preservation of our sport; pounding our chests saying that Spray's 'fraud' is no more, or proclaiming the importance of Catch and Release to the general public who just might not quite understand how important it is?
For me, I'd have to go with the second option. Hard for me to say I practice C&R if I plan on whacking 'The' big one. |
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Location: So. Illinois | Muskyhopeful,
No need to question Fitanti vs Lax, both provide outstanding reproductions and either would be a good choice to send a trophy fish. |
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Location: Brookfield, WI | AFChief - 4/30/2008 10:13 AM
Muskyhopeful,
No need to question Fitanti vs Lax, both provide outstanding reproductions and either would be a good choice to send a trophy fish.
Just a joke, my friend, just a joke. I for one feel threads like this need a bit of levity on occasion. I know I'm in the minority with that opinion, but it amuses me.
Regarding the original thread topic, if I caught a fish that size I would let it go or keep it.
Kevin
Too much pork for just one fork. |
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| let it go...keep it...argue about it...whatever.
MuskyHopeful - 4/30/2008 10:41 AM
Too much pork for just one fork.
My Muskie Culture is on the Skids.
Too Much Pork for Just One Fork
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Location: Brookfield, WI | LOL.
You just gotta love that Rockabbbiillllyyyy Music. That's what I'm taking about baby.
Kevin
Liquored up and lacquered down, she's got the biggest hair in town. |
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| Pointer- "Dont you think it would speak volumes to those that dont understand how important C&R is to musky fishing, if a die hard musky angler released a would be WR?"
I would make a safe bet that pretty much everyone here is in favor of catch & release and it's importance. We are talking about the possibility of a record fish being caught and kept to legitimize once and for all what fish is the holder of said record. The death of a single fish is not going to diminish what many of us have spent years trying to build.
A few years ago a new record keeping organization was begun. 60lbs is the minimum requirement to enter a fish in their recording system. As of a month or two ago, not a single fish has been registered. This thread to me is about the possible killing of one fish, not countless numbers of fish.
We need to realize that there are different opinions on this matter, and neither viewpoint seems able of convincing the other to change their mind. If someone catches a record fish, or ANY legally caught fish, depending on who catches it, it may find its way back into the lake, or it may find its way into someones livewell. Is anyone here really going to lose sleep over it? I sure wouldn't. My $0.02. |
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| "Is anyone here really going to lose sleep over it?"
Only if it was someone fishing where I had been earlier in the day, Brad. |
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Location: mn | Id take a good pic and Let her go. Id rather be reconized for an unofficial living fish then an official dead record. A big ones is just a bonus. A 30ishx58 would be one heck of a bonus though.. |
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Location: The desert | Derrys - 4/30/2008 11:37 AM
Pointer- "Dont you think it would speak volumes to those that dont understand how important C&R is to musky fishing, if a die hard musky angler released a would be WR?"
I would make a safe bet that pretty much everyone here is in favor of catch & release and it's importance.
Maybe, but quite a few would keep that record fish. I understand its 'just one fish', but if a die hard uses that mentality, and claims they are strong advocates for catch and release.....to an outsider looking in doesnt it seem like a sort of hypocritical statement?
How did that fish get to become a WR? If someone would have caught it the year prior and kept it, maybe it wouldnt be that WR size. It still would have been a great fish, and if kept it would have been 'just one fish', but it wouldnt have been able to grow to that record size.
To each their own, but in my eyes I cant say I'm all about catch and release, yet turn around and say, hell yeah I'd bonk a possible record fish.
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| I am with Pointer on his view.
Having a possible WR or giant released by a big name guy, even if it were to be his fish of a lifetime would stress the importance of CPR. It would prove to be an example for those who have on a pedistal for their accomplishments in the sport that may discourage weekend warriors from keeping their PB for their skin.
Not a perfect scenario by any means, but the more we hear of giants being released and memorialized thru replicas will only encourage others to do so. |
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| Pointer slipped his post in just ahead of my previous. Again, I'm with him. |
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| If I was in Canada, and I was absolutely sure it was a world record fsh, you would here the thump in Indiana! I don't get the conservation License, as I like to keep a few eyes and pike to bring home.
Then I'd send it to Rick and Joe, so they can make a mold, and order a replica or three.
But I think, as Jo said, this could happen on Green Bay in the future. And then you'd here the thump at Cave Run!
I practice catch and release, and don't see keeping anything except a record fish. Haven't kept one yet. Chances are pretty good I ain't going to be bonking anything too soon, if ever. And if someone beats me to it, I'll oogle that fish and tell him congrats on a great fish! |
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Location: Frost | I fully agree with Pointer as well, and in the scenario as in life there is no guarantee the fish is the world record, so how many 50-60 lbers will get kept by anglers in awe of their fish's size and thinking it's "just one fish," only to find out it's not a world record at all? Guess I just don't see how the world record is so important |
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Location: So. Illinois | MuskyHopeful - 4/30/2008 10:41 AM
AFChief - 4/30/2008 10:13 AM
Muskyhopeful,
No need to question Fitanti vs Lax, both provide outstanding reproductions and either would be a good choice to send a trophy fish.
Just a joke, my friend, just a joke. I for one feel threads like this need a bit of levity on occasion. I know I'm in the minority with that opinion, but it amuses me.
Regarding the original thread topic, if I caught a fish that size I would let it go or keep it.
Kevin
Too much pork for just one fork.
Kevin,
I see the humor. Sorry for being critical...
J |
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Location: Hugo, MN | Guest - 4/30/2008 6:51 AM
A spin off question to the original here. And I'm not passing judgement. This is simply out of curiousity.
For those of you that would keep the record fish in question AND feel that replicas are better than skin mounts...is there any thing that would make you keep the fish other than "the record"?
Me personally, I wouldn't keep it, personal choice. I don't have the desire to put one on the wall, reproduction or skin mount (although I would definitely go graphite IF I was to keep one) and I have no desire to have any fame when it comes to fishing. I'd much rather fly under the radar going unnoticed.
Aaron
I've never kept a fish and quite honestly don't plan to. When I get a 50" I'll get graphite reproduction made. With that said, if I was sure it was a world record . . . THUMP . . .
Interesting Voting so far only 18 or 123 a mere ~ 14.5% disagree completely.
Edited by marine_1 4/30/2008 2:14 PM
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| llratm - 4/30/2008 1:11 PM
I fully agree with Pointer as well, and in the scenario as in life there is no guarantee the fish is the world record, so how many 50-60 lbers will get kept by anglers in awe of their fish's size and thinking it's "just one fish," only to find out it's not a world record at all? Guess I just don't see how the world record is so important
Considering that a true 50# to 60# class fish is something that 99% of muskie anglers will never catch, I really don't think that many are going on the wall. |
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Location: Algonquin, ILL | The problem is your Dam## if you Keep & Dam## if you release,
If you keep it some will slam you for keeping the fish, others will say it's not as big as claimed
If you release it some self proclaimed experts will say It was caught out of season, or it's not as big as claimed using their skills at photo analysis to say
the measurments are off, or slam you for the way you are holding the beast
and that the hold is making the fish look bigger than it is.
Best bet would be to keep the catch between yourself and a couple of trusted buddies and enjoy the moment
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Location: The desert | esoxaddict - 4/30/2008 2:22 PM
llratm - 4/30/2008 1:11 PM
I fully agree with Pointer as well, and in the scenario as in life there is no guarantee the fish is the world record, so how many 50-60 lbers will get kept by anglers in awe of their fish's size and thinking it's "just one fish," only to find out it's not a world record at all? Guess I just don't see how the world record is so important
Considering that a true 50# to 60# class fish is something that 99% of muskie anglers will never catch, I really don't think that many are going on the wall.
I believe there are more than we think going on the wall. Even if they are not 50 to 60 pound fish. I can think of two in the 50 pound class that are both dead. One chosen for harvest the other tried to release but didnt make it. It is that continued mentality of most anglers wont get one that big and the ones that do, well it is 'just one fish' going on the wall. That fish likely didnt get that big due being harvested.
I still think it comes down to the fact that, if you say you practice catch and release, then you need to do just that, practice it. If you say you would harvest a fish, then you practice selective harvest. At least in my opinion. |
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