Anyone interested in casting a 50" musky??

[Cecil]

Cecil, are all those giant muskies from the great lakes or inland waters? Why so big by you? I suppose it's like the walleyes here. If it ain't 10 lbs. or darn close, it's just another nice walleye. Takes about a 12-14 pounder to really turn heads around here.There was just a write up in the papers about a guy in northern WI who caught a number of muskies over 50 inches and kept one over 50 lbs. I mounted one for a client last year that pushed 48 lbs. You mean to tell me your getting in muskies over 50 lbs? Or is Indiana just jealous of our big muskies like California is jealous of our big Cows?? That's of the bovine persuasion, for all you making jokes about our women!!

Marc,

Unlike the typical fish of 10,000 casts up in Minnesota, Wisconisn, Canada, we have a few lake chains near me that are planted annually with musky that have a prolific forage base of gizzard shad. Something like 12 musky per acre occupy these lakes. The fish are not small either. Many 50 inchers have been released and I mounted the state record that was about 43 lbs.

Average fish that come in are in the 20 pound range and when they find out the fish will cost them close to $500.00 they lose interest. Of course I don't start them if I dont' get a deposit. I've got one in the freezer right now that's been there since last June. I will probably mount if up for myself for display. 

[Marc]

The musky is no longer a fish of a thousand casts here Cecil. Infact, I doubt it ever was except for some out door writer who was lacking in the fish catching dept. The musky seems to carry this mystique about. Like it's a so special. That's because they are top of the food chain in most waters and so there were fewer of them (per acre) than any other species. If you ask me, the northern pike is a much nicer looking fish over all. Maybe beaten out by a tiger but that's half pike too. Anyway, our lakes are all planted now too and, like the guys in the know here, it is not uncommon to catch 5 or 6 in the lower bay and Fox river(between 40 and 49") in one day also. Infact, it does not even take ONE cast to catch these as everyone trolls for them. They are comming on so strong and plentyful that there is a 50" SIZE LIMIT. Now, if the D.N.R. would tack that onto the pike we have in the bay system, things would be awesome. The nicest looking pike I have ever laid eyes on come in durring the winter months from a few key spots on the bay of green bay. The markings and heavy bodies blow away the look of most muskies I've seen. We need a size limit on them though as it's the year class that is lacking not numbers.

[wetnwild]

JL, yes i did see the blank, and you also said it was given to you and did not know the condiiton, but assumed it was OK. I also talked to Bob and Randy, and posted what they told me. My referal is based on the three fish they did for me which were fantastic. But then again i supplied them with great fresh caught specimens frozen within hours of being caught. The Blank they sent you WAS terrible, I agree. But if the specimen was lousy, so will be the cast

[Cecil]

That's good to hear Marc. I agree with you on the pike and musky. I've done pike to just over 30 lbs. (another state record) and I like them better too.

I have some friends that go to Eagle Lake in Ontario every year. If they catch and release one musky in the week they are there they're happy. Not only to musky not do anything for me, I have to catch more fish than that. Put me on some big bluegills, crappies, or yellow perch and I'm happier.