What does this weigh???

This is the age old question.. this is about 4 years ago.. this fish was 50″-52″ in length.. I remember it was a little over 50″.

The guy holding it is of average height.. just under 6′ tall and *physicaly fit* (not fat, not skinny, strong as an ox).

We had no way to weigh this fish.. we always called it a *50*.. I am coming to realize that this thing probably weighed much more.

This fish is not held out from the body.

*Dan*.. previous owner of Minnehaha Bait and Tackle.

this is a picture that is worth 1000 words.. and then some.

It’s nearly impossible to guess once they get to that length, Flatheads gain length very slowly once they hit the mid 40’s (inches) 50 lbs. is a good guess, I think Matt’s 52 lber was around 51″ long last year, another friend of mine had a 42″ fish a few years ago that was only 30 lbs., and I had a 44″ fish a few years back that was 37…I’ve also seen a 52 1/8 ” fish that was in the low eighties…the fish in your picture has an average to slim build behind the shoulders so 50 seems fair. Maybe Matt (FlatheadWI) will repost or someone will dig up his 52 from last fall for comparison purposes.

Jason.

I agree with Jason. It isn’t nearly as long as the state record caught near Genoa a few years back that was in the 70 pound range. I would say 55 pounds tops. Whoever fishes for that kind of a fish should always have a hundy scale handy. I know I do.

FlatheadWI’s 52

Wow! No way the OK record is 72#. It looks like this fish could swallow it!

Dave can correct me if I’m wrong (and I KNOW he will )… But I believe we did have a scale that night, but it topped out at 50 pounds.
I caught a 35 pounder right after this one, but it looks small compared to this big guy.
That is my favorite fish picture of all time. I love the look on Dan’s face.

62.75 I never been wrong at guessing the weight of a fish in a picture when no one really knows.

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I never been wrong at guessing the weight of a fish in a picture when no one really knows.

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I was off by a few ozes once…

I believe Fisher Dave has changed his ways….and carries a larger scale…Everyone knows a 50 lbs scale is worthless to a good cattman….mine goes up to 25…

Jet Cat.. the picture doesnt do the girth of that fish any justice… that fish was built like a brick..

I dont remember what exactly we had for a scale in them days.. I know your 35 was weighed and accurate.. We must have had the 50# scale.. I can distinctly remember throwing back a FEW fish that night that I had caught after the flat pictured was caught.. then Sherry with a 35.. I was silently tossing easy 15lb fish back in the water.. they looked like minnows.

I guess the picture of the fish is good to show it is obviously huge.. but it doesnt show the girth of the fish… I give some pretty good estimates.. and if I saw this fish again today I would probably put a label of closer to 60… but its just my guess.. and it has been a long time. I do distinctly remember my net with that fish in it.. my net at the time was twice the size of what I have now(fits 40’s easy).. and that bucket was full.. the fish couldnt even move in it.

I could have fit my head in the mouth of that fish..