New state record Muskie ?

[lennysky]

This time, on the water with my long time best friend and fishing buddy Soulstream and 2 others we happened to hook and land this fish (by luck or skill or both). I was shocked but when we put it on a chatilklion scale I only saw #23-23 and was going to photograph and release it, when Soulstream told me: " Which side of the scale are you reading". I said left. "That kilograms: he replied. I looked at the other side and it indicated 45-47 pounds. i was floored. he insisted we keep it and register it. We were right above Storms Is as the NW wind blew us there while my friends were all tangled-up. I asked him to drop me off so that I can research my weigh-in options, but as the story goes my luck was not with me the entire day. A weigh-in at 11AM at Hackettstown indicated a much smaller weight. Previously, my Ichthyology training told me that the fish can loose about 10% and I was unfortunately right. The girth on her was 26-27 inches and the length at 51.5". Do the calculation on-line and you will see that neither myself nor Soulstream are trying to embelish our stories. Feel free to ask questions though. I am getting a double skin mount with original head done. Will see it in 6 months. BTW, no one ever seen such a golden/perl colored musky. Not even at fisheries, which stocked this fish. Thank you for all your input and feedback and tight lines! (part 2)

[The Birdman]

Congrats on a fish of a lifetime man!!! you had the the record! and its pretty cool to hear a first hand account on such an epic NJ catch. and if you were off storms thats an NJ FISH !
ill be up there tomorrow, ive been out the last 4 weekends in a row up there....and the one day we don't go, you pull the record out!

[lennysky]

Good luck pulling them in. Any luck catching walleye from north of Storms? For us, it is hit or miss.

[The Birdman]

Originally Posted by lennysky

Good luck pulling them in. Any luck catching walleye from north of Storms? For us, it is hit or miss.

Thanks len. we usually stay on the north end since we dont know that lake too well..... in our experience (only been out 7 trips up there) its either the fish are ON and chewing or we get only get 1 or 2 or skunking.
other good fisherman on this site say that some days are tough, and others are great. hit or miss for sure.

[lennysky]

Same here. about 2 weeks ago, we got 4 in the boat with the biggest going a solid 5 lb on boga scale. I wish I had my 60LB boga with me this time out, but I only had a 30.

[GetANet]

Welcome to the site, glad to see new people getting on board!!!
We hope to convert all the Lurkers sooner or later!
Yes, We know your looking and reading and gaining info!!!

First and Foremost Congrats on that fish!!!! I agree with you fishing absolutely has a LUCK FACTOR involved and you def had it that day!!!! I can totally understand the situation you were in trying to get it weighed. I admire you for telling YOUR side of the story as well. We all know that musky's and C&R are a VERY TOUCHY SUBJECT!!! But to each his own, I have never caught one yet but I guess if I had a possible state record I would have thought the same way! Hopefully I will get that chance someday!!!LOL
The mount will be something you will remember for ever rather than just letting it go to waste after such along period before it was weighed.
I am also glad to see you explained the situation as it happened not letting people distort the truth and bash you. Now a days everyone is quick to shoot off their mouths and give their opinions but in the end it was your decision and nobody can take that away from you. From what I gather you release most of your catches so taking one possibly for the books is okay by me!

[lennysky]

Thank you for understanding. I am sure we all get our day in the sun eventually. That memorable Sunday was mine. If not for Soulstream's "Death Grip" on the Musky's tail I would never have landed her on 6lb (2 year old) trilene line. This was my steelhead Daiwa reel, which has a super smooth drag (thank God!). G Loomis rod also helped out in this case.

BTW, the lure I caught the fish on was lodged a foot into the fish's moth and wrapped in gill rakes, making it bleed profusely. May not have survived even if I would have released it. The line was to the side and around the operculum. All it had to do is open its mouth and shake its head 1 time - would have been over.

[ScowardNJ]

Lenny!!!!Welcome to the site!!!!Congrats on that catch of a life time!!!Very cool of you and your crew to share your story first hand with us!!!There are a bunch of walleye addics here that fish Gwl and Skunks!!! Hope to see more reports in future!!!

[lennysky]

Absolutely will. Personally, I don't discriminate when it comes to fishing. I fish all species salt and fresh. As long as I am outside with my friends, a cigar and a hot cup of coffee and stories to tell (sometimes exaggerated ones), I'm good to go. I always fish under a license within each respective State, keep only fish of proper size and report illegal activities to proper authorities.

[lennysky]

As requested, here is another great picture curtesy Soulstream