Comment by Stephen Glassic on November 19, 2012 at 1:10pm

Cullin, can you give your story on the experience and what you caught it on, how deep etc.?

Comment by Josh Ketry on November 19, 2012 at 3:52pm

I have quite a few Go Pro videos of good sized fish being measured with flat, hard measuring sticks and bump boards. During the course of the short clips the fish will appear to vary in length as much as a few inches depending on the angle of the fish, curve of the body, and straitness of the tail. It is precisely for this reason that for any length verification tournaments (see every NMA tourney I have entered in the past 5 years) that I choose to use video instead of still pics. Cullen, if you measured it at 50, all the doubters can drink a tall glass of Hater-aide. Congrats on the 50!

Board Member Comment by Tony Scime on November 19, 2012 at 4:10pm

I believe that bump boards are the only legit way to get an accurate measurement. About ten years ago Dave Melfi and I caught a fish we measured on the board at 49.5 inches - out of Black Creek area. We tagged it. Ten days later an angler caught a fish which he measured at 53 from Black Creek. He showed us the picture. The fish had a nice shiny new tag on the dorsel fin where we tagged our fish. The angler never read the tag. I think it was the same fish, because no-one else was tagging fish in that area of that (or any) size.

About 15 years ago Mike Wilkinson received a call from a guy who said he caught a 54"er. He kept the fish. Mike wanted to get the cleithra (for aging purposes). Mike and I went to check out the fish. We measured it at 49 inches with a tape measure.

Too many instances like the above in my experience. So unless the fish is measured on a bump board, my tendency, fair or not, is to decrease the length by an inch or so.

Great accomplishment Cullin! I don't know of anyone who's boated two 50s in one week around here in many a year. Jon MacSwan last did it with me about ten years ago, night fishing the harbor.

Board Member Comment by Tony Scime on November 19, 2012 at 4:51pm

Cullin:

One thing I don't see on your bump-board is a back rest. My bump-boards are homemade and have a back rest. This will allow you to get a quick measurement witout worrying whether or not the fish is straight on the board. And always pinch the tail!

The attached picture shows a big muskie being measured on a homemade bump-board with the back rest.

Comment by Josh Ketry on November 19, 2012 at 5:13pm

That's a big fish there Tony!!!

Board Member Comment by John Pensyl on November 19, 2012 at 5:59pm

ive found it super effective to just measure them with my hands.. caught one the other day that was just over 9 hands so thats about 91 inches or so. seriously tho, GO FISH! theres plenty more where she came from, go find ur own and dont screw it up!!!

Comment by Dave Martin on November 19, 2012 at 6:16pm

Angler honesty is at the forefront of all our NMA Awards, Tourney entries,etc.

My number one embarrassment as a club member was screwing up the proper documentation if you will for another members big fish. A couple of season's ago while fishing with Rich Sandig I had a fish that I measured (Rich caught it) with a floating ruler escape the net while Rich was fetching the camera for a pic, We had planned a  bumpboard measurement as I have both measuring tools on my boat.

I felt bad for Rich as folks will always  have  doubt without a pic of the fish.

When Cullen mentions "crazy mode" during the moments after netting her I can understand. As far as angler honesty, cullen's is beyond reproach so if they missed the final measurement pic... I can also understand having been there myself.

-Dave

Comment by John Miller on November 19, 2012 at 7:43pm

Guys, take a deep breath and settle down....it's a fish...and a giant at that. Dan, please don't stretch fish's tails to maximum potential" on the Niagara. These are not stocked fish, it's a natural fishery and we need to take care of our fish. Thanks in advance. in my opinion pinching tails is a perverted method of making a fish appear to be bigger than it is. The length is the length..no need to pinch or stretch a fish. Relax.. Every one has an opinion. so be it.

Comment by cullen veiders on November 19, 2012 at 7:44pm

yea, ive reported every catch down to 20in fish with no problem...now i have people questioning my integrity on a public site. Would you want me to keep the fish outta water for 5 min over a fish that has nothing to do with anything other than my personal joy of catching any sharing a beautiful Niagara fish. Like I said not a tourney or top ten fish.

Comment by Dax Jacklin on November 19, 2012 at 7:50pm

Nice fish!

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