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Posts: 6
Location: NC | I'm visiting some relatives in WI this summer. I want to try muskie fishing for the first time while I'm there. They are not fans of the outdoors so they wouldn't know a thing about muskie. I need some advice from you guys.
Rod: length, action, power, what brand do you prefer, are there special rods made just for muskie?
Reel: Shimano Cardiff, OK?
Line: mono, flouro., braid, leaders, lb. tests
Lures: topwaters, swimbaits, cranks, what are some of your favorites?
Anything else you think would be helpful, please include. The more detail the better.
Thanks to all who took the time to reply.
Cheers! |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Well, it doesn't sound like you are going to be doing this a lot after your trip, so I would suggest a good quality rod without breaking the bank. Gander Mountain Guide Series rods come to mind. And yes, there are specific musky rods. Gander is a place where you can probably get everything you need under one roof to make it easy on you. 7'6" is a good place to start. 8' is even better if you would not feel awkward with that length. Get a good all around power like medium heavy for starters.
Regarding the reel, yes, the Shimano Cardiff will do you just fine. You are going to get inundated with people saying get this brand/model or that brand/model, but to answer your question directly, yes, the Cardiff will do you just fine for your trip.
Line: definitly braided. Power Pro 80 lb. test minimum is a good place to start.
Leader: whatever one you buy, snip off the snap and buy some Stringease Stay Lok snaps to use. Get a good, seven strand leader with a quality barrel swivel.
Lures: you are again going to get inundated with brands/models from whatever people like. It's a personal thing, not unlike the Ford/Chevy debate. Get yourself one or two of each you mentioned in different colors. Don't forget a bucktail too.
I'll leave the brand/models to others as you're gonna get swamped with opinions.
You'll probably get a lot of replies that may confuse you as much or more than before you posted. Just keep things simple since you're just starting.
Hope this gets you started and good luck on your trip! You'll probably outmusky all of us!!
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | where in wis are you visiting? |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | GTP888 has offered you some great advice....... |
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Posts: 8777
| Pretty much what GTP said -- you don't need a ton of stuff. one good combo, 80 lb braded line, quality leader(s) and 10 lures would get you through your first few seasons. I would add some things though:
longnose (LONG ONES) pliers
hook cutters
a big enough net
If you catch one you want to make sure you can release it without causing great harm to the fish, or yourself in the process.
The only other advice I can give 'ya?
Well...
You can turn back now before its too late! Because if you don't, your wallet will never be the same, and neither will you! Have you heard of musky fever? Are you sure you want it?  |
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Posts: 122
Location: Kenosha, Wi. | GTP gave you some excellent advice. I work at the Kenosha store and we received three different types of Gander Guide Series Musky rods yesterday. The rods vary in price but it will not break the bank. There are the Gander Competition rods (19.99), the Advantage Rods (29.99) and the Premier Series rods (79.99). These rods came in sizes from 6'-10" - 8" (heavy or medium heavy). I hope this helps out in your quest for your first musky.  |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | Release tools are essential, big net, everything is up to your own personal taste as far as rods, reels, line( go with 80 pound braid of some sort), baits........... a few bucktails of various colors, Topraider essential, any other bait you feel like picking up.................... this grasshopper is all you need to know........ go get em!! |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | get some bucktails, a suick, and a topwater. a big net is crucial if you plan on fishing for them and bolt cutters and needle nose pliers. |
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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | All good advice. Gander would be a good starter rod. I made sure I had all the proper release tools before I set out after my first. The tools previously mentioned will do the job. Let us know what water you plan to fish and I'm sure someone can help you out with lure color selection as well. |
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| Since this would be your first trip, meaning you have no experience with all things muskie, I would make a slightly different suggestion then the $1000 worth of things that you'll need to fish somewhat effectively. If you've never done it before, then I'd suggest hiring a guide or possibly trying to impart on someone's generosity from this site that might be willing to take you out for some gas money and some gratitude. Obviously you'd want to contact a guide or someone who'd be willing to share their gear, and give you some pointers, since you don't have any. This will not only improve your chances of having some success to start things off, but it would also let you know whether muskie fishing is really right for you without making any permanent purchases. You sound quite interested, and will likely be hooked by your first encounter, but you never know how things will go with muskies.
Telling you the right gear for getting started muskie fishing is always sound advice, but being told by a willing individual while you're out on the water with them and can experience their reasoning first hand is considerably more effective. If I lived in Wisconsin I'd be happy to volunteer to take you out, but I've never been there. This site is full of good guys, and I'm sure if this suggestion sounds good to you, you won't have too much trouble making contacts. Good Luck, and good fishing.
Ryan
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Where in Wisconsin? I'd be happy to get you on the water for an afternoon if you are going to be near Rhinelander. |
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | Ditto what steve said. I too am in Rhinelander, that is why I asked where you were visiting. |
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Posts: 3864
| Get hooked up with one of the boys above if at all possible. Don't go nuts on buying baits, here are some suggestions....get one bucktail (Bucher 700 in Black/silver), one spinnerbait (Raddog in black/silver), one topwater (Bucher Topraider in black/orange spots) and one crankbait (7.5" Grandma in walleye or firetiger).
Cortland rods are a GREAT value. $90 with an unconditional no-matter-what return policy. I've had 3 for years and I like them as much as my more expensive St. Croix and Fenwick.
If necessary, learn to cast with heavy mono, like 30# or something. You'll surely cut out a few birdsnests as you learn how to throw those heavy baits. Mono is cheap, PowerPro is expensive. (I use 80# PowerPro, love the stuff.) Load the PowerPro after you get in the groove.
See my PM for leaders.
GOOD LUCK!
Edited by Ranger 4/8/2007 9:12 PM
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Posts: 6
Location: NC | Thank you guys for all the advice and generousity. I'll be fishing in Wausau, WI and hopefully, some more of the surrounding waters.
I'm really surprised to hear you guys say that MH and H will do it for muskie. MH and H is my bass gear. Really? You can take a musky on a MH or H bass rod? Wow. |
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Location: Sun Prairie, WI | There is a difference between your bass rods and a musky rod. Example: my St Croix heavy power regular casting rod (bass rod if you will) is rated for line weights of 12-25 lbs and lures of 1/2 - 1 1/2 oz. Compare that to my St Croix heavy power musky rod. That rod is rated for line weights of 20-50 lbs and lure weights of 2-6 oz.
You had asked if there were rods specific to muskies. The above example shows the difference. Make sure what you are getting is a rod specific to muskies.
Edited by gtp888 4/8/2007 3:57 PM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | if you are going to be in Wausau i'd suggest you get in contact with Phil Schweik ... he manages the fishing dept. of the Gander Mountain store there and could help you get set up or my strongest suggestion would be to try to book him for a day of fishing on the river. he's among the best in the game and locally worth the time and effort to make contact with.
good luck and enjoy your trip
someone else here on the boards may have the website for his guide business they could share with you ... |
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Posts: 7036
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Phil Schweik
188 Scout Road
Mosinee, WI 54455
(715) 693-5843, (715) 581-2620
Click here to E-mail me personally: [email protected]
Hello, my name is Phil Schweik I live in Mosinee Wisconsin with my wonderful and supportive wife Rhonda. We have three children: Randy, Mike, and Cassandra. In addition to being a husband and father I enjoy nothing more than fishing and hunting . My memberships to fishing organizations like Muskies Inc. and being a Lifetime Member for Bills Musky Club which I am also on the Board of Directors keeps me involved with groups of people that are as concerned about the outdoors and the enviroment as much as myself. I am a licensed Wisconsin fishing and hunting guide, tournament angler, and seminar speaker. I am also employed full time at the Wausau Gander Mountain Store in the fishing department.
With this vast involvement it has given me the opportunity to become not only very experienced in the woods and on the water, but also well educated in the fishing and hunting industry. With this knowledge I am able to teach and educate others in the fields of hunting and fishing. By spending the day with me you are not just going fishing or hunting, you are getting true: "On the Water" or "In the Woods" fishing and hunting experiences! I personally look forward to each and every trip in the hopes of being able to fullfill your dreams of getting the trophy of a lifetime!!!
Tournament fishing credits:
Invitational Championship winner in 2002 for the Wisconsin Musky Tour.
Team of the Year in 2002 & 2003 for the Wisconsin Musky Tour.
45 Top Ten Finishes in Musky Tournaments.
15 Professional Musky Tournament Wins.
14 Big fish Awards Pro Musky Tournaments.
The professional tournament circuits that I participate in include: The Wisconsin Musky Tour (W.M.T.) The Professional Musky Tournament Trail (P.M.T.T.) Rollie & Helens Musky Tournaments, The Rhinelander Hodag Musky Challenge and the Park Falls Chamber Musky Tournament.
I am a pro-staff member for the following companies: Johnsonville Brats, Crestliner, Evinrude, Minn Kota, Amherst Marine, Frabill, Suick lures, Ducktail Lures, The Sportsmans Repair Shop, Cortland Fishing Line, Fig Rig Rods, ROI Roberts Outdoors Inc. KDC Tackle, Mapping Specialists, Trophy Technology, Wisconsin Product Development, and Red October Baits. I have also done numerous seminars and articles on musky fishing, and I am an official CUB RADIO Sport Fishing Reporter (WCUB).
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | My offer stands, Rhinelander is an hour away from Wausau. If you want to work something out let me know.
Bart |
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Posts: 6
Location: NC | I'm definately going to start saving money from here until then. I'm excited already. Thanks again you guys. |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Same here, looks like you'll get after some muskies! |
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First Muskie trip this summer..Need some pointers.