Muskie Discussion Forums

Forums | Calendars | Albums | Quotes | Language | Blogs Search | Statistics | User Listing
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )
Moderators: Slamr

View previous thread :: View next thread
Jump to page : 1 2 3 4
Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page]

Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> Best Muskie Tip
 
Message Subject: Best Muskie Tip
acafisherman19
Posted 7/12/2014 3:22 PM (#720409)
Subject: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 17


Hey all,

Just getting into the muskie game and was hoping some of you seasoned vets could point me in the right direction.

What is your best tip for muskie fishing in general?

Ebenezer
Posted 7/12/2014 3:42 PM (#720410 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: RE: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 210


Go all in, or get out before it breaks your heart, psyche and wallet! Ok, sort of joking.

If you ain't having fun, you ain't doing it right.
sworrall
Posted 7/12/2014 3:44 PM (#720411 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 32761


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Enjoy it or don't do it.

Far as catching fish:

Slow down. Don't just cast across the area you are concentrating on, cover it.

1) Just because the electric motor has a 'constant on' switch doesn't mean you have to use it, learn how to position the boat so everyone in the rig has a section of the structure they are erasing. Doing so will force you to learn how to control your boat under any conditions and take a piece of structure apart piece by piece every time. I learned fishing a Creature. Boat control is absolutely essential to do well casting a jig and creature.

2) Your sonar is your eyes under the water. Use it, all the time, to stay on the given 'road' for the technique you are using and the conditions. Hand in hand goes boat control.

Enjoy it, or don't do it.

Want to catch a big fish? Is that the end of all end goals for you? Go fish where there are lots of big fish. If you can't, set the goal for each waterbody. I get as much satisfaction busting a 40 out of a lake that doesn't kick out many over 36" as I do a 50 plus out of the Goon or LOTW or ??. Catching 50s where there are lots of 50s and lots of guys catching 50s is fine if that's the goal, but it's not a measure of expertise until your 50s are hitting the top end of the possibilities on that waterbody more times than not. A nice fish on George is 43". Not so nice a fish on St Clair.
ToddM
Posted 7/12/2014 4:24 PM (#720414 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 20173


Location: oswego, il
Muskie fishing is all about awareness and your ability to make good decisions as is everything in life.
Musky Face
Posted 7/12/2014 4:39 PM (#720416 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 558


Pay attension every cast, because the the 1 cast you don't there she is and there she goes. Have a blast doing it or fish for bass.
jdsplasher
Posted 7/12/2014 5:42 PM (#720421 - in reply to #720416)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 2219


Location: SE, WI.

I'd suggest when you buy a trolling motor, get one, WITH a constant on". And when you pull up to your spot,  put it "ON CONSTANT ON", Not necessarily at a fast pace.:)

 JD

MstrMusky
Posted 7/12/2014 5:51 PM (#720423 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 156


In what is surely to be a controversial tip, I would have to say that you should primarily ignore most of what you read in magazines and online (they gotta print/sell something). Otherwise you will be overloaded with info, get analysis-paralysis, overthink, drive yourself crazy, and take the fun out of it. Keep it simple:
1.)choose water that suits your quest (numbers or trophy, or mixed) & learn it (chunk it down into "areas")
2.)practice and become technically perfect as quickly as possible (watch youtube videos, or some videos here)...this will maximize/convert your chances/contacts while you are learning. Pick 4-5 baits and learn to work them well, learn to pinpoint cast, learn to do an 8 or oval, etc.

Once the above becomes second nature, then broaden your horizons...new baits, colors, tactics, waters, etc.
Booch
Posted 7/12/2014 5:51 PM (#720424 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 306


Remember, it's more of a hunt than fishing. You can't just jump on a lake and start fan casting the hot lure unless you are really lucky. A basic understanding of the water types, seasons, weather effects, etc., is much more valuable than a big selection of expensive lures. Do some research and avoid the "new craze" advice. Lots of good info on this forum, and books by Saric, Heiting and Pearson are all good reads.

Then, it's about patience and determination.

Edited by Booch 7/12/2014 5:54 PM
Pointerpride102
Posted 7/12/2014 7:09 PM (#720433 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 16632


Location: The desert
It's fishing, just enjoy it.
horsehunter
Posted 7/12/2014 8:21 PM (#720442 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Location: Eastern Ontario
If you don't buy a boat or any equipment and don't start collecting thousands of lures in hundreds of colours you could fish with a big name guide every weekend and only spend about half the money.
MD75
Posted 7/12/2014 9:22 PM (#720449 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 682


Location: Sycamore, IL
Get a guide on your local water or area that you want to learn. Pre-frame with the guide that you are a novice and want to learn about the seasonal movements and behaviors of muskies in your area. Watch how the guide presents a lure and how he controls his boat. Come prepared with questions and an open mind. Think of it as a learning experience and not a catching experience and you will be a head of the game!
Randy
Posted 7/13/2014 7:20 AM (#720479 - in reply to #720449)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 243


Location: South Central Wisconsin
Keep it simple.

Look for structure (weeds, rocks, timber) that tops out at 3-4'. This structure also needs to have close access to deep water. By deep water I'd say anything about 12' or better. The closer the structure to the deep water the better. Get a few different color bucktails, a topraider, and maybe a 6-8" twitch bait or two (shallow raiders, slammers, ect...). Work your boat off the side of the structure casting to the top of it. Good luck.
jonnysled
Posted 7/13/2014 7:24 AM (#720481 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
when the smallies or crappies are biting … fish em
VMS
Posted 7/13/2014 7:31 AM (#720483 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 3467


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Hiya,

When you catch one, if you cannot get the hooks out quickly, cut them. Carry a large assortment of split rings and hooks in various sizes so if the need exists to cut, the lure is not out of commission. Cutting hooks is also a good safety measure for you as well.

Steve
DonPursch
Posted 7/13/2014 8:23 AM (#720490 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: RE: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 540


Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN
It's not only a physical game but a Hugh mental game just stay in it
NPike_Guy
Posted 7/13/2014 9:30 AM (#720494 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 46


All good tips so far. I'll second getting a guide as it drastically shortens the learning curve. One thing that took me a while to learn was that you can be doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time for hours and not even see a fish! That's just how it goes sometimes and you can't get discouraged. Good luck on the hunt!
Bondy
Posted 7/13/2014 10:11 AM (#720498 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 718


Learn to use a graph VERY well and don't be afraid to look offshore.
muskyrat
Posted 7/13/2014 10:21 AM (#720499 - in reply to #720498)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 455


Find a way you like to fish for them and do it that way. Don`t worry about learning every technique or style of fishing your first year.
esoxaddict
Posted 7/13/2014 12:01 PM (#720509 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 8702


You catch muskies the same way you catch every other fish. The lures are bigger and the fish are bigger, but the rest is largely the same. It's still a fish. Fish gotta eat. They call it the fish of 10,000 casts, because sometimes it is. Sometimes it's the fish of two casts.

1. Buy the right tools and equipment and make sure it's all maintained. If your reel breaks or your leader breaks or your trolling motor batteries are dead, or your hooks aren't sharp you're not catching anything.

If you're going to read anything, do it for the purpose of figuring out where the fish are likely to be this month/week/today and why. The most important "reading" you can do is reading the water and reading the fish.

Learn to do a good figure 8, and do it. The rest just takes time and patience.

It's wise to learn what you can from those who are more accomplished, but in the end you just have to go out there and fish. Accept the fact that you may go days or weeks without even seeing a fish. Guys go to Canada for a week and come back empty handed. It happens. One day you'll go out there and catch three or four. That happens, too. (though not as often as we'd like.)

Mostly? Fishing for muskies is the best way I know of to catch one. Fish when you can and learn from your mistakes. The fish will come.
Zib
Posted 7/13/2014 1:31 PM (#720513 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: RE: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 1405


Location: Detroit River

My best tip would be to maintain a good confidence level. Try your best to have a positive attitude or a PMA (Positive Musky Attitude).  If you have it in your head that the lure/presentation/location isn’t right then chances are you won’t catch much.

 

I struggled to put fish in the boat when I first started. I had the location part down because I was always making some sort of contact with the muskies but not closing the deal. Since changing my PMA my success has improved. Having been a diehard bass guy (mostly smallies) I started approaching musky fishing like I do with bass fishing & also mixed in a little deer hunting strategy into the mix & it has improved my game (especially this year). Now if I can only get my back & left shoulder to heel up I can get back out there & catch some pigs.

andreula
Posted 7/13/2014 7:27 PM (#720556 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 134


Learn how to properly sharpen a hook and how to tell if it is sharp. It will make getting the fish into the net a lot easier! Become obsessive about it, its ok.
bdog
Posted 7/13/2014 7:28 PM (#720558 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 357


Location: Duluth, MN
Learn to be tight lipped! Hot bites are short and word spreads fast.
Hunter4
Posted 7/13/2014 11:51 PM (#720584 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 720


You'll learn more on the water than any place else.
and
enjoy that time!!
bassinbob84
Posted 7/14/2014 12:14 AM (#720586 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 646


Location: In a shack in the woods
Assume you are always casting over fish and you just need to figure out what they want to eat and how they want it.
larryc
Posted 7/14/2014 8:33 AM (#720609 - in reply to #720442)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 173


horsehunter - 7/12/2014 9:21 PM

If you don't buy a boat or any equipment and don't start collecting thousands of lures in hundreds of colours you could fish with a big name guide every weekend and only spend about half the money.

Some of the soundest advise ever posted. ( Kinda think most musky guys are a bit embarrassed by the number of lures they bought and never use . ) $$ per month per musky can be pretty high owning all your own stuff.
woodieb8
Posted 7/14/2014 10:16 AM (#720625 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 1529


learn how to read water. no I am not joking either. water clarity/wave action will all help your quest.
tyler k
Posted 7/14/2014 10:23 AM (#720626 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 409


Location: Almond, WI
Fish with as many different good fisherman as you can and learn from what they do--ask questions, watch their technique, if they tell you to do it this way, learn to do it that way. Learn the basics the best you can, from the best fisherman you can go out with.
Top H2O
Posted 7/14/2014 10:30 AM (#720628 - in reply to #720625)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 4080


Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion
Like others have said.. don't spend a lot of money on Equipment,... Hire a Guide every week the first season,.... They will teach you the What to use, When to fish,Where to fish, How to fish, and Why they are doing what they are doing.....
Go with different guides until you find a couple that are cool to be around and know their shnit...

Jerome

Edited by Top H2O 7/14/2014 10:32 AM
ARmuskyaddict
Posted 7/14/2014 10:32 AM (#720629 - in reply to #720628)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip





Posts: 2001


Don't live over 1,000 miles away from where you like to fish.
vegas492
Posted 7/14/2014 10:37 AM (#720630 - in reply to #720409)
Subject: Re: Best Muskie Tip




Posts: 1023


When I was young, Tony Rizzo gave me some great advice. Fish "action" lakes, catch a ton of fish and burn through all the releases. Once you've handled 50-100 fish, then focus on larger fish lakes, so that when you do get one to hit, you will be able to fight it and release it properly.

Seen too many younger guys in my boat concerned with only catching bigger fish. Tough to get a 45+ into the net when you can't even execute a proper Figure 8 on a hot 37 inch follower.
Jump to page : 1 2 3 4
Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

(Delete all cookies set by this site)