Length of this muskie

[ArthurLK11]

I realize I'm late to the party, but I'd say around 39.5. I believe it is more than 39.5, but less than 40. I think this is the reason why the IGFA and most tournaments use measuring boards instead of tapes. Easier to stick the nose of the fish at 0 inches when all you have to do is push it up to something. 

[Lucky Craft Man]

21 hours ago, gimruis said:

Alright, thanks for the responses.

 

I submitted that fish for 41 inches.  Initially thought it was 40.5 inches measuring to the tip of the lower tail fin but then realized I was missing half an inch up front because the lower snout was not aligned with the beginning of the tape measure.

 

The taxidermist/replica producer looked at it and initially said 40.5 inches as well until I pointed out the front issue, so the replica will be 41 inches.

 

The reason I am asking, as mentioned, is that there is a contest in my office every year and I guess there is another fish that scores very close so we have to be as precise as possible to determine a winner.  That's why I asked ya'll for your unbiased opinions before I told you what I submitted it as.

 

I'll let you guys know if I win.  The winner is determined on Dec 18.

 

A bump board is a wonderful thing.  Your office may have to institute a measuring device requirement (i.e., Bump Board) into this contest to help eliminate the need for photographic interpretation.  I’m not sure of the prize, but if I were the other guy, I think he has a legitimate argument over the skepticism of 41” for your fish (assuming theirs is real close to that, like 40.5”).

[gim]

Ya unfortunately I don't know what the other entry that is close to mine is, or how big it is, how it was measured, etc.

 

When I caught this fish, I was by myself.  So this was really the best I could do at the time.  Laying a large fish on the floor, trying to line it up perfectly, having it lay there still for a few seconds while I try to get photographic evidence...no easy task.

[Further North]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

Ya unfortunately I don't know what the other entry that is close to mine is, or how big it is, how it was measured, etc.

 

When I caught this fish, I was by myself.  So this was really the best I could do at the time.  Laying a large fish on the floor, trying to line it up perfectly, having it lay there still for a few seconds while I try to get photographic evidence...no easy task.

Here's a 10 second, improvised bump board:

Put the nose of the fish against the gunnel, place something (the pliers you used to pull he hook work well as they are right there) on the deck at the end of the tail.  If you need a picture with the tape in it, get it set up before you take the fish out of the net.

Put Ms. Musky back in the lake, revive as needed...try not to step on the pliers as you do this.

Measure the distance between the gunnel and the pliers.

3 hours ago, Lucky Craft Man said:

 

A bump board is a wonderful thing.  Your office may have to institute a measuring device requirement (i.e., Bump Board) into this contest to help eliminate the need for photographic interpretation.  I’m not sure of the prize, but if I were the other guy, I think he has a legitimate argument over the skepticism of 41” for your fish (assuming theirs is real close to that, like 40.5”).

I bought a cheap, folding Rapala bump board that goes out to 60", years ago.  It works great and doesn't take up a lot of space.

$21 on Amazon, delivered:  https://www.amazon.com/Rapala-RMFR-Magnum-Folding-Ruler/dp/B001QJPQ12

[gim]

45 minutes ago, Further North said:

I bought a cheap, folding Rapala bump board that goes out to 60", years ago.  It works great and doesn't take up a lot of space.

$21 on Amazon, delivered:  https://www.amazon.com/Rapala-RMFR-Magnum-Folding-Ruler/dp/B001QJPQ12

This is what I need. Thanks

[WRB]

40 1/4”

Tom

[gim]

Circling back on this, as the results of the office fishing contest were revealed.

 

I submitted it as 41 inches. 40.5 as it sits, but missing half an inch up front because the lower snout wasn’t lined up.

 

They scored it as 40 7/8 inches. They gave me 40 3/8 as it sits plus the half inch missed up front.

 

I won by less than 1/2 of a percent.

[A-Jay]

Congrats

Wouldn't want to be the runner up on this one.

?

A-Jay 

[gim]

I ordered a graphite replica of this fish and I expect it in March. The taxidermist has it at 41 inches but I will NOT be calling him and asking him to make it 40 7/8 inches instead.

[Further North]

It's a good fish.

I've had two weird years in a row with musky.

I caught bunch last season, but never did break 40".

This year my first was 43", and I didn't catch one under 40" until the last week in September...and I haven't touched one since...which is bizarre.

[Lucky Craft Man]

On 12/18/2020 at 6:00 PM, gimruis said:

Circling back on this, as the results of the office fishing contest were revealed.

 

I submitted it as 41 inches. 40.5 as it sits, but missing half an inch up front because the lower snout wasn’t lined up.

 

They scored it as 40 7/8 inches. They gave me 40 3/8 as it sits plus the half inch missed up front.

 

I won by less than 1/2 of a percent.

Who is doing your replica?

[gim]

19 hours ago, Lucky Craft Man said:

Who is doing your replica?

LAX Replications in Conover, WI.

[Further North]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

LAX Replications in Conover, WI.

That's quite a drive from where you live, is that near where you caught it...or do you just order on-line these days?

...and why have we not found a way to fish together?

I know at least one lake that's sorta between us that's got some toothy fish.

 

 

[gim]

11 hours ago, Further North said:

That's quite a drive from where you live, is that near where you caught it...or do you just order on-line these days?

...and why have we not found a way to fish together?

I know at least one lake that's sorta between us that's got some toothy fish.

 

 

I have a co worker who had a pure strain done in 2005 so I was able to look at the work done in person.

 

There is a muskie expo in March in the Twin Cities so my intention is to attend that and visit his booth and pick it up in person. If not, it’ll have to be shipped and I have to pay another 70 bucks. I worry about it getting damaged in shipping.

[Further North]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I have a co worker who had a pure strain done in 2005 so I was able to look at the work done in person.

 

There is a muskie expo in March in the Twin Cities so my intention is to attend that and visit his booth and pick it up in person. If not, it’ll have to be shipped and I have to pay another 70 bucks. I worry about it getting damaged in shipping.

That's a good plan, assuming the expo is allowed to happen.

...give me a holler once the lakes are soft again, and we'll get on the water.  I bought a drift boat last summer, so now even the skinny water rivers are open.  Those fish don't see many anglers.

 

[Lucky Craft Man]

On 12/20/2020 at 6:57 PM, gimruis said:

LAX Replications in Conover, WI.

 

Make sure to post pictures of the replica when it’s done.  I love seeing those works of “art” as I an quite the collector as well...haha.