Need some advice!!!

[Cast and blast]

I have just had the fishing trip of a lifetime and boated the largest muskie of my life. It was a beautiful 51 1/2 incher and I got a lot of great photos of her before I let her go! Just one problem, in all my excitement, I forgot to get a girth measurement! BUMMER! Can you believe it? I am usually on top of stuff like that. I guess I was so concerned about getting her back to the water that I didn't even think about it. What would you folks do if you wanted a graphite replica and did not have a girth on the fish? It was thick! But not fat. My estimate on the weight was around 40 pounds. For those on the board that have caught a fish that large, what measurements for girth did you have? Is there a way I can "ballpark" a girth? I'd like to get an accurate replica, but I may be screwed on this one. Any advice appreciated! Cast-n-blast

[MuskyDave]

I don't think you have to worry too much. Most good taxidermist can get a good idea of the girth by looking at the photos you supply. I also want to add that I wouldn't be so upset about not getting the girth, with a fish like that I'd forget things too. Congrads on the catch and release.

Good luck and remember CPR means we can all catch more and larger muskies.

[RoyC]

I must be more easily exciteable than you. I released several fish last week before I even caught them, and a couple before we got them to the boat! Set the hooks!

But seriously, my son had a 30" northern up to the boat that spit the lure before my brother could net it. Dumb thing then swam into the net! I am not sure if it was a legal catch (netting an unhooked fish), but at least we didn't have to untangle the treble hooks from the net!

Roy

[Musk Rat]

I would put the picture up on the board and ask a few guides what they think. Just don`t be upset if the formula dosen`t put the fish at 40# Your fish would need a 25" girth for that Most fish don`t get that fat until late fall Great catch no matter how you slice it. If you fudge the girth too much the mount won`t look anything like the photo I have seen this already. Get as many opions as posible and go with the average my guess by your description healthy but not overly fat would be in the 21" 22" range based on the few big fish I have measured girth on. The picture will help. Congrats.