New state record Muskie ?

[lennysky]

We weighed the fish on a boat after which time it threw up from both ends. Read the thread. When I took it out from the wrappings 30 hours later it kept pooping stuff up. Plus, scientific studies strongly confirm weight loss through desiccation after death (read it yourself). The previous record was not weighed on a state scale the same way mine was. It was frozen cause it was caught in the winter. Technically frozen fish don't qualify

[lennysky]

Read online but during freezing weight gets added according to some scientific sources

[GetANet]

Hey Lenny, FORGIT ABOU IT!!!!

There's always gonna be opinions and comments some good some not so much!!!
You caught a freakin MONSTER Musky on walleye taclke!!!!
Who really cares what anyone other than your friends have to say about it!!!!!
Your wasting valuable fishing time trying to justify and convince the masses!!!!

[lennysky]

I agree w you buddy. It's just the scientist in me was having a hard time not to justify. I'm over it long ago

[O'Connor]

Gents,
Never said you did not have the record. Only that I do not agree with the weight loss theory. at those measurements I think it is more likely the "official" scale was off. I would go down and hang a 45 lb gym weight off the scale used to initially weight the fish then hang it from the "official" scale and see what it says. anyway I am going to delete my prior posts. once again nice fish, congrats.

[GetANet]

I am not looking to cause a storm either. I was just stating a fact that's there is always going to be a million questions and inquires any time somebody is lucky enough to catch a fish of a lifetime! Kinda seems like everybody is callin this poor guy out for one reason or another and all he did was go fishing like most of us and caught a beautiful fish. Bla Bla Bla sorry but it gets old after a while. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that's cool but sometimes I think they are best kept to ourselves. It's all good here!! FISH ON!!!!!

[lennysky]

No need to delete your post. You voiced your opinion that's all. When I was younger I used to question things too LOL. Now I just know. All one has to do is go online and do the research. Also there is a length to girth calculations for musky. 26" girth and 51.5". Plug it in. We are all in the ballpark. Fish was exceptionally wide. I know several fish were longer then mine but hardly wider.

[CPR1]

I know this is an old post but being new to the board, I would like to respond. My two cents, there will always be controversy when dealing with a record fish that has been kept. You will see everything from questioning the weight/length to questioning the ethics of keeping a trophy. No one knows exactly what they would do with a potential record in the boat, until it is in the boat.

In my opinion, the Neals record is shaky at best. For a 48" fish to be 42+ pounds is basically impossible. I talked to many of the folks that were there when Neals caught the fish and most say that it was Monksville Sport Shop looking to get the publicity associated with this catch, so the weight was exaggerated. MSS has been out of business for a while, a lot of good that did for them. I have never given that record any credence.

This is no doubt is one of the heaviest muskies recorded in NJ and made public. There are lots of stories of musky fishermen releasing potential state records. I have seen two with my own eyes. Congrats on the catch and very fortunate line placement. Diehard musky fishermen always want a diehard to catch the record fish. Ironically, it often ends up being a jig fisherman or some old lady in a beach chair, fishing with a worm and bobber. I don't think I could kill an animal of this stature, which has persevered that long through life and attained that size. I fish with a guide in Canada, who on several occasions, has released WORLD RECORDS. In the world of muskies, this is indeed a big fish, however, numerous 50-60 pound muskies and bigger have been documented in the US and CA. Big for NJ.

In the end, it all depends on what you want out of fishing and what is most important to the individual fisherman. We are all ENTITLED to keep legal, trophy fish. Consider this - What is gained & lost by keeping this fish and what is gained and lost by releasing this fish? I'd be interested in hearing from the members of this board to answer that question. To me, it's recognition vs. conservation.

[lennysky]

CPR1 what you are saying about the old NJ record is contingent with what some other members expressed openly and privately to me. The old record is questionable based on its length, girth and appearance. Plus it was never officially weighed by the state, which is a newer requirement in NJ. Like I previously stated if I can certify my catch with my scale and the amount of physical witnesses it was have surpassed the 42+ pounds by 2 pounds at least. But what are we to do? Can an old record be discredited? Is it ethical to request such a thing? I don't know all I know is my fish was officially 40lb12oz. His fish at 48 inches would have been 35-38lb max. I would never in a worl embellish my catch as it is a very personal thing to me and not the way I was raised. Why would anyone do it I don't know.
In terms of keeping this fish, trust me I had to make very difficult and quick decision to keep or not. If I had state on speed dial and can keep the fish alive for a weighin and release, I would do it. But such was not the case. To all you CR fellow fisherman I apologize in advance as I don't keep anything I can't or won't eat. Sometimes I wish someone else catch it so I did not have to go through al the dilemma and stigma attached with such an accomplishment. Leo

[lennysky]

Does anyone know where I can locate info on Bob Neal's 1997 Musky record. Specifically looking for length and girth data. Thank you.