Personally, I don't know that I could throw him back.. but I would struggle in keeping such a prize as well..

In the end.. a Musky that large.. it would probably warrant a picture and back in the drink.. A walleye or other fine eating fish.. sorry bud.. your cooked.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/37615914.html

Larger Picture link...
http://206.210.94.83/assets/testimonials/image/Big%20Kahuna%20001%20(Medium).jpg

The huge fish sagged in the landing net, straining the metal handle and testing the catch-and-release ethics of the angler.

For most, it's simply hypothetical: If you landed a potential world-record fish, would you release it so it could live, reproduce and possibly be caught again? Or would you kill it so you could put your name and image in the record books?

But for Dale MacNair, cradling a mammoth musky in the gathering dark and pounding waves on the St. Lawrence River last Nov. 28, it was no chat room discussion. It was real life.

....

Wow......for me that would be a tougher decision. First, if i was fishing for muskies regularly, I'd have a scale on board.
If it WAS a world record, it could be a VERY valuable fish. Plus a once in a lifetime thing.

I admit I'm surprised that anglers deliberately going out to look for large fish didn't have a scale.

It's a moral dilemma I'll probably never have to face. :)