Here is a ski' from a couple weeks ago...

nice fish croix,how big?

hey t-bone nice fish. quiet on the spot (yea right) boats fishing there all day. let me guess real big house under construction. protect the background a little better

Croix - I really like the angle of that shot, it's always nice to see something different.

RU

RuKiddingme- Thanks, we tried a new angle on the picture and am very pleased with the results. Also wanted a new angle on the picture to see how well i am supporting the fish while holding it.

RincRat-Like i said on the pike forum I dont measure my fish, I would reather limit the handling and just get a quick pic. 40? maybe 40.5? Not sure though.

For you experts on the holds of big fish, I have a question. I am about the experience of catching/seeing big fish and always want to see them swim away...How is my hold on this particular fish? Note: My fingers are not in the fishes gills so no damage done there...

Nice hold! My goal is if it's a pic worthy fish....20 seconds out of the water....tops. I just do a ballpark measure on a floating measuring stick in the water, personally I don't really get into +/- a half inch or so, unless it's a monster, which is generally not the case....

I love the angle...very cool! Congrats!

That was tongue in cheek TP.

Geez, T-Bone why don't you draw everyone a map to your brother's secret duck slough in North Dakota too! Haven't I taught you anything?

A 51" from this afternoon - Tonka. How much do you think a fish like this would weigh? It sure felt heavy

Hey Croix, really cool picture and nice fish! Since you asked about the hold, I thought I'd add my 2 bits. It looks like you're doing it right. However holding the fish out from your body can be dangerous -- I know from experience! One thrash by the fish and its headed down on the boat floor or gunwale. I now try to just stay in a crouch for a photo so if the fish goes nuts its a short drop or I can deflect it towards the water.

Walleyepro - That's a really big fish!! Nice work.

Croix - nice fish and photo as well. I'm with you on the not keeping the fish out too long. One thing I do when alone is use the self timer on the camera to take pictures - they may not always be framed right, but it ensures that I don't have them out of the water for more than the 10 seconds it takes the shutter to go.

I'd say it's probably about a 25 pound fish. Give or take a pound or two.

Bronzeback, 25lbs??????? If you were replying to Walleyepro's question, you're robbing the guy. Walleyepro, I'd have to give it around 35+lbs. Not real sure because I haven't caught one that big yet but it sure is fun trying. She doesn't look real fat. A girth measurement would help too. Very nice catch.

I felt that i had already put enough stress on the fish with the fight and just wanted to get it back into the water. i didnt bring a soft tape and in the heat of the moment i didnt think of just using a rope to get the girth. Next time.... when i catch that 54" x 29" i'll have the girth measurement. haha

It was definitely a fun fish to catch, that's for sure. And it beat my PB by 6-7 inches.

I was going to guess around 30-35 lbs. The fish measure/weight chart that i have puts a 44" at 22-24lbs. Which would be a thick 44" in my opinion. But i've never weighed a fish, other than a carp, so i'm not a good judge for that.