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Possible World Record Muskie (Pics)

2.9K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  FishinMatt  
#1 ·
This fish was caught on the St. Lawrence. It's reported at 57" x 33", which according to some weight calculators would make it over 70 lbs. There's already some controversy as different girths have been reported (29" at the "low" end and 33" at the high end). Anyone interested in the world record chase is all over this story, and it's developing right now.
 

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#2 ·
That's pretty Cool Collie. If it is a new record or not. I congratulate the guy who caught it! I am going to search the web for an article and read up on it. Thanks for the heads up and info! :D . That is one big guy, and one big fish! The size of him makes the Muskie look small. But you can totally tell its a brute!!! Thanks for the heads up Collie. I love reading articles on things like this. It always give me hope for maybe one day... Just one day! , I can do something like that. Knowing me it would be a world record Sheephead or Shiner!!!! LMFAO, j/k about that! :p . But thanks again Collie and Good Fishn!!!

Dave
 
#3 ·
That thing is a freakin' giant!

Congrats to him and congrats for the release so it can get even bigger next year! :D

Because it was never officially weighed nor documented (other than length + girth), I won't jump to conclusions that it's of "world record" status.... But a hell of a fish nonetheless. The St. Larry has some giants swimming in it, with VHS and all.
 
#7 ·
If it is 57" x 33", it's bigger than the two 60 lb.+ Georgian Bay fish, both of which were weighed. Williamson's was 55.5" x 31.5" and 61 lbs 4 oz. O'Brien's was 58" x 30.5" and 65 lbs.

Based on what I've read, I believe that O'Brien's fish was the biggest muskie ever recorded and caught legally...until now, because this one might be bigger.
 
#9 ·
I heard that they were fishing at night in 3-4 foot waves in below freezing weather, so they couldn't get the type of shot that truly shows how big the fish is (or a picture of the length and girth being measured). The angler is over 300 lbs.

It's so fat that it doesn't look its true length - it's also not being held at an angle that accentuates the length (like the In-Fisherman style that makes everything look giant).
 
#13 ·
The official world record

"Muskellunge 67lbs 8oz Cal Johnson Hayward, WI July 24, 1949"

"the musky weighed 67 pounds 8 ounces, measured five feet and one-half of an inch in length, and had a thick 33-inch girth."

The fish shown above could be bigger, but all I care is that the fish was released. Thank god most of the anglers who are skilled enough to catch these giant gamefish, are also smart enough to set pride & possible records aside and release these rare trophys.

Nice to see catch and release bringing back these possible record breakers.

One thing i wonder is how much Johnson's record fish would have weight in november if it had been relaesed? November is when the biggest muskies are at their peak weight.
 
#15 ·
Thanks to Boarder Collie for sending me some links. With all the controversy surrounding records muskies of the past, this one could be the true record. With the black clouds hanging over the many of the fish of yesterday and no real way to verify the exact weight of this fish, I guess we will never know. Maybe that is the way is should be :wink: