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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Watched this monster Novak bait go on eBay and it sold for $112! What a monster! 24 inches long with the bill. 4 big 9/0 hooks LOL! I could only hope to make a biat look this good someday. The guy is good. I hope to see the muskie this catches!
James
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Posts: 119
| That is a beast! Very nice work. Four trebles on that bad boy. Hope it doesn't swallow it lol. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | There are alot of good painters but Tim Novak is the best in my opinion.....just look at the head on that lure, unreal.
Jed V. |
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| I bought one of his walleye glidebaits off of ebay. It looked better in the pic than in real life. I still think that it is a nice paint job, but I would not say that it is better than one of yours Jed or Snax, ect.
The difference is that there are lots of brush strokes and the colors were not that strong.This does not show up on the ebay photo's. The carving was some of the nicest I have seen though  The action is so,so. 
Beerski |
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| grunt
so you realy think the guy will put that in the water? |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | Exactly.....what is the point of a 24" lure????? Especially one that mimics a walleye. I just recently saw a DNR study of Musky forage in the Great Lakes area and walleye do not even rank....I really believe that Musky do not eat many walleye.
However, Mr. Novak does do good work, but being a Musky fisherman and guide for many years, I have never and I mean never caught big fish on huge lures.... The biggest Musky in my boat and it was a hog, came on a 6 inch bait..... Not that we don't use bigger baits, but 24"....a little overboard.....
I guess you can look at it for the artistic value......Hang it over your mantle.
Just giving my opinion...
Rod |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | muskyj,
I would! Hell, if I could afford a Wishmaster i would fish it. Granted, I would use 150lb PowerPro
James
PS: as for muskies going after these sizes of fish, I have collected some pics across the net on the subject: http://www.gruntmuskielures.com/WhyBigMuskyLures.html
Edited by Grunt Lures 4/23/2007 7:48 AM
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | rjbass,
Is that article online? I am collecting scientific/DNR journal articles and that would be a nice one.
Thanks,
James |
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| the point of musky fishing is not bigger bait=bigger fish,record are here to prove it.24 inch of wood is more build to catch fisherman or collector,same thing for ultra naturel pathern.
just take a look at the nip fish,graham,obriens.............all caught with lures less than 10 inch long. |
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Posts: 351
| That is a very beautiful bait.
For what its worth, my experience of nearly two decades of musky fishing has been similar to rjbass's. I've done very well with baits shorter than 8 inches and relatively poorly with baits bigger than that. I do think that bigger baits can have their time and place and perhaps a lot of it is dependent upon regional conditions and other factors.
It is tough to discuss this idea in general terms though. Jerkbaits for example, are an exception. My results have been better with larger jerkbaits than smaller ones. Shorter jerkbaits don't seem to perform or produce a well as larger versions of the same bait.
When it comes to cranks, jerkbaits, gliders, etc, I think a lot of it is linked to the physics of putting any type of bait under water. There seems to be a sweet spot when it comes to length/width/mass; any variance beyond those parameters seems to cause a dropoff of reactions from the muskies.
Edited by fatfingers 4/23/2007 9:23 AM
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | muskyj,
I am not sure enough data is out on big baits. Everyone and their dog fishies with small baits and has for the last 4000 years. Big baits have only been around for a while and are still not available on in a wide supply.
The place I go for pike in Canada has a 24-26 inch jointed bait on the wall that is about 60 years old. According to the sons that own the two resorts in the area some of the biggest pike(50+ inches) they have ever caught were on that lure. With that said, they did not fish it much because it they had to troll it with a row boat with the lure tied to a rope... I am sure small baits will outfish a big one but I have never seen a study or results that would even begin to suggest you will catch big fish using small bait more than using big baits for the same big fish. If you have that let me know I would love to read it  At the end of the day you use what the fishing situation calls for.
JMO,
James
PS-Most of my fishing is with 12 inch and smaller baits by the way because I want to cast most of the time. My Grunts (and other big lures) are for those key times when trolling is the way to go for the situation(s) at hand. |
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Posts: 138
| Beautiful bait, but I know the 4 trebles hooks would deem it illegal where I'm from.
24 inches man that is huge, where will it end?
Here is a pic I found on the net last year and saved it, I figure the fish has to go close to 30 inches.
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Posts: 1060
Location: Medford, WI | I believe James is completely right when he states that there's not enough data out on big baits yet. Sure many/most of the "huge" muskies caught ever were on baits smaller than 10"; however, you have to consider the number of baits produced over 10" at the time of those catches. Very few I would imagine. Even in today's fishing, I would guess that over 75% of baits are under 10"; then taking into consideration the amount of time that the 10+" baits are actually in the water being used would be even considerabally less.
I don't know if big baits is the answer or if small baits are...that's why we're fishing most of the time and not catching all the time. Fish will eat what they want, when they want it and where they want it...that's 3 of the numerous variables which us as fishermen/women have to try to figure out.
Good to see everybody's opinion on lure size and their own experiences.
P.S. James, I like the page on your site with the large "meals"; maybe you should try to embed a link to the one of the northern over in Europe eating that trout almost as big as the northern. (Looks like a tiger, but I believe it really is a type of pike over there) If you haven't seen it, I could probably help you find it on here.
-Jake Bucki |
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Posts: 399
Location: Burton, Ohio | That thing is beautiful! A friend of mine bought it! He has been collecting "big" baits lately. I can't wait to see that bad boy!
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Posts: 351
| He got a bargain on it in my opinion. That thing has a lot of quality work in it and an awful lot of fine detail in the carvings. |
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| take a look here,maybe not very representative but.................
http://www.muskystriker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=443 |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Medford Fisher
I saw that video on YouTube. Got some others too on muskies and pike going after some big meals. Those are great to watch.
James |
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Posts: 135
| I bought the bait, and I bid more than the selling price. I am a serious Musky Fisher, but more so, I am an advanced lure collector. I have collected seriously for over 25 years. I have owned , bought, traded, some of the best baits there are, Flying Helgramites, Pardee minnows, Fancy Pflueger Metal, etc, etc.... It was only natural for me to collect QUALITY Musky baits. I enjoy trolling for Muskies, but I have never trolled anything bigger than a Big Earnie, or Bucher Depthraider, probably never will. I own Parrywinkles, Wishmasters, Snows,Frankies, etc...I like good baits. I have never held a Novak, that is the true test, when it is in your hands. If I am not pleased with it, it will be returned, I will let you know. Based upon my experience, all it will take for modern Musky baits, less than fifty years old in my opinion, to get their due respect as collectibles, is a good book about the baits and their makers. If you fish them , great, that is what they were made for!
John |
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Posts: 1060
Location: Medford, WI | James, if you have any of those links or anything, please post them or PM them to me. I'd really like to see some of them. Nothing like watching what muskies will really do.
-Jake |
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Posts: 1530
| shes a beauty. guys things on baits depend on forage base and time of year. after over 40 years being driven goofy by slimey fish and 20 years building baits theres simply no MAGIC lure or size. i have never seen or had a musky buy a bait.. as for colors some love the ultra realistic baits and others want contrast. isnt this a beautifull world of musky fishing lol |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Here is one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI71Hsy_PaU
Says it is a pike but I think you will see it is not
Search in YouTube and you will find more. Try musky, muskie, feeding, etc... |
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Posts: 351
| Luredaddy, great post.
That you appreciate the baits the way you do, says a lot about you. |
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Posts: 351
| i have never seen or had a musky buy a bait..
Nor have I, woodie.
Well, there was that one time, back in my US Navy days, after a 3 day bender in Tijuana.. |
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Posts: 37
Location: Mid Wales, UK |
Looks like a pike to me. I'd put that fish at certainly no more than 3lbs or so and pike that size have vertical stripes (believe me I've caught a lot of pike that size ) Also the fish that swims off camera at the start of the video is a roach which as far as I know doesn't occur in the US. Could be wrong 
But back to the point, that is a beautiful lure there. |
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Posts: 119
| Looking at the stripes it looks to be a Tiger Musky. |
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| No doubt about that, that is a Tiger Musky...... |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Luke,
I see what you mean on the young pike comment. Found a few pictures of yearling pike:
http://www.esoxrepublic.com/about.html
http://www.fishalberta.com/02Season/Jensen/chin.htm
Still looks like a tiger muskie to me None the less it is impressive that a esox that size woudl attempt to take on a fish taht size. I have heard muskies will eat other fish up to half thier length. Not sure if I will ever find a 25 inch fish in a 50 inch muskie though. I guess taht woudl also mean I have to catch a 50+ inch muskie! |
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Posts: 4
| Look at this pic. The pike was caught on a jerkbait and then a little surprise popped up. Look at the pec fins of the dead pike....you get a nice idea about how big it was in comparison with the killer pike
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Muskindeed,
Great picture!
James |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | rjbass - 4/23/2007 7:23 AM
...Especially one that mimics a walleye. I just recently saw a DNR study of Musky forage in the Great Lakes area and walleye do not even rank....I really believe that Musky do not eat many walleye...
LOL. Sorry I cannot resist. Firetiger, bumblebee and all of our other crazy patterns really mimic fish that are prey let alone exist!
The paint job is very nice.
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I think Novak has done much nicer work than this particular one. Maybe I'm getting a bit jaded though. With all the amazing new bait makers popping up out of the woodwork lately, it takes a lot to really get the wow factor from me. |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | mm,
Touche! |
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| A 36 inch pike or Musky would not even hestitate to go after a 20 inch bait like this. Especially a very life like one like this. Besides large baits are fun to collect even if they never get fished.
Grunt has done his homework and researched the big bait theory and has plenty of evidence to back it up with his collection of photo's showing Esox eating and often times dying as the result of eating very large prey fish. I myself have found several times Musky with another Musky in their mouth's that was better than half it's size.
As far as Muskie eating Walleye. They may not be the Main forage of Musky but as mentioned above neither is Firetiger Trout and many other color schemes that look nothing like a real fish species but catch fish year after year. I for one like the life like colors on my baits and know for a fact Muskie take a good number of Walleye in the river system I fish and no I don't mean a number large enough to impact the population of the Walleye.
Anyways I hope the Buyer of this large crank posts on here when he receives it. |
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| I myself have found several times Musky with another Musky in their mouth's that was better than half it's size
pleeze be more honnest |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | Muskies are apportunists no doubt, but they do prefer soft rayed fish.....such as pike, cisco, whitefish, herring, suckers and trout. This comes from my fishing experience and DNR. I am sure that each body of water is different, but where I fish, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron and the St. Mary's River that is what they like.....When you get right down to it, primarily it is the action of the bait that triggers the strike, color and size are secondary. That's just my opinion.
Rod |
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Posts: 9
| Very nice crankbait. I know Walleye and Perch are my favorite fish to eat so a Musky should love a Walleye with no fins at all to get caught in it's throat. You bring up a good point though Rod. I know if I were a Musky I would go after the soft rayed fish. I would like to know how big that dead Musky is posted with the 30 inch fish in it's mouth. I seriously doubt its a 60 incher.
John |
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Posts: 135
| A number of people have asked me to post when I receive this bait. I received the bait today, and I am reluctant to post, because some will disagree and go beyond constructive criticism, and rant. I have read of people criticizing the bait because of its size, they have seen Novaks with brush marks, his work did not impress one long time maker , WELL, the bait is magnificent from my view, a collector, it is simply impressive. I have SERIOUSLY collected QUALITY antique lures for 25 years or so, I have owned most of the high $$ lures that exist, and I have always enjoyed QUALITY. This bait is QUALITY. It is nestled on my shelf between Wishmasters, Parrywinkles, Snows, Frankies, Talonz, Hartmans, early wood Grandmas, etc... As far as it being a lure to toss out and fish, I donot think that is realistic. I emailed Tim Novak today, and told him that I believed this bait in a 12" to 14" size would be a great bait to fish, where large baits are run. I will not address the walleye as food for Muskies arguement, Muskies eat what is presented. I live in Ohio, fish hard for Muskies in the lakes that have benefited from the state of Ohio's programs, and enjoy hanging up baits like this. Ohio has a number of really good bait makers, the late Wolfgang , whose baits caught as many Muskies as they caught fishermen, and the new breed like John Snow and Tim Novak. I look forward to acquring more baits from John and Tim, to hang up and run hard for the tooth critters. Thanks for reading this!!!
John |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | By all means post the bait and let it be seen for what it is. You mentioned that his work did not impress one long time maker. Hopefully that wasn't myself you were referring to as my comment was that I think he's done much nicer finishes than the Walleye. The man obviously has amazing talent as a painter.
Ultimately, as you posted, the customer is the one who should be satisfied with a bait and you certainly are happy with your new bait. Let's see some better pics of it if you don't mind sharing them. |
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Posts: 135
| There are eight good pics here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Muskie-musky-lure-Novak-lures-Truelife-Series-C... |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Two words from me "awsome lure!". I can only hope to make a bait this nice some day!
James |
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| congratulation to the wining bider |
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| James does your big grunts have any weights in them or is the lip enough weight to keep them right side up in the water. Just curious. Thanks! |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | I made a few with lexan bills but had to put 6 7/16 oz. weights in the to keep them verticle. Also, I did not liek the way the lexan bill Grunts ran (not a wide wobble). I got a few of the steal bills and they worked perfect right off the bat with the wide wobble to boot. When in the water the bodies are perfectly verticle. Takes about 2mph to get them started and they run optimal from 2.5mph up to 5mph.
Hope that helps.
James
PS-The finished total weight on my Grunts ar ~12.5oz each. |
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| Thanks for the quick response James. It's hard to believe they sit up right without weight in them being as thin and tall as they are. Nice foiling by the way. |
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