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Posts: 2024
| Okay, okay... so they weren't muskies, but rather their saltwater look a likes! Just wanted to thank the makers of the Hook Pick. If you've ever had the pleasure of staring down the gullet of a big barracuda you know a muskie's teeth pale in comparison. The 41" swallowed my tube lure's treble (just missed the gills) and the reg size pair of needle nose pliers just weren't gonna do the job. Anyway, the Hook Pick made QUICK work of the buried treble. The 46", though tired, sported some enormous chompers and there was no way I was getting my hands anywhere near its teeth (first time handling a 'cuda). The hook was just on the outside of the jaw, but a quick push with the Hook Pick and voila... hook out. After these two fish I can already see the value in having this tool aboard for muskies at all times. It will save A LOT of hassle and quite possibly a few fish's lives.
NOTE: Not endorsed by the maker of this tool. Just wanted to share a very positive experience with a fairly new-to-the-market product tested on some (extra) TOOTHY critters!!!!
Good luck to all this spring. I'll have to get my muskie fix vicariously through you all until I return home from the Turks and Caicos in May.
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Posts: 457
| HAH! Aren't Cuda an absolute riot? I think they are one of the more fun saltwater species to catch. Nice fish, too.
The only thing I hate about them, is that stench of Cuda slime. It just. Permeates. Everything. It doesn't come out! |
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| That first shot of you kneeling in the water is really cool!! Nice fish too!!
the waterwolf of salt....If only I had the $$ and the time to take a trip like that each year...
Very nice!!
Steve |
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Posts: 2024
| Whoolligan - 3/12/2008 6:50 PM
The only thing I hate about them, is that stench of Cuda slime. It just. Permeates. Everything. It doesn't come out!
I haven't noticed it being too bad... lol! Sort of reminded me of pike slime, which also is quite pungent. I will say, too, that my Musky Armor gloves were completely covered in slime and they don't smell too bad!
They are a riot though. Their speed and agility in mere inches of water is out of this world (though not much to base it on, I bet my opinion would change pretty quickly if I were to hook up with one of the many bones that are supposed to "frequent" the area). Highlight of today's excursion (aside from the 'cuda) was blind casting a seagrass bed, getting a boil behind my tube lure, and realizing I had a 3-4' lemon shark following hot behind the bait (turned away before I could do a figure 8... haha)!! |
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Posts: 1636
| The cold front didnt shut them off? 
Sweet video! See any "fiddy's" yet? |
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Posts: 2024
| No fiddies brother, some probably close to that magical number however... so far no dice though.
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Posts: 1287
Location: WI | Wow, that is awesome! I just picked up one of those hook-pics at the Blaine show last weekend. Thanks for the review! |
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| I am going to the Keys in Jan. and thought about trying some cuda. What are you using and any tips for them? Awesome pics! |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Hey cool pics man! |
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Posts: 2024
| muskydeceiver - 3/12/2008 11:13 PM
I am going to the Keys in Jan. and thought about trying some cuda. What are you using and any tips for them? Awesome pics!
You'll find that 'cudas will hit just about anything moved fast. Right now I'm using tube lures (wire + hook + sinker + colored latex tubing) because they have very little resistance in the water and thus can be burned back with ease. Red and green are good colors. It's important to engage the reel just as the bait hits the water so that the tube catches a bit of air and as you propel it forward the bait will (should) leave a bubble trail. 'Cuda are HEAVY visual predators. Pretty much any lure that can be worked quickly and that has lots of flash is a good choice (i.e. X-Raps, rattle traps, dual prop topwaters).
I'm spooled up with 20 pound Stealth on an Okuma Salina. The reel is SWEET and has a great drag system. Doesn't break the budgy either. Rod is a three-piece travel rod from Cabelas.
I have been finding them mostly cruising the shallow sand/algae/seagrass flats. I'm experimenting with tides right now so not sure which is best. You put the odds in your favor if you actively search them out versus simply fan-casting an area.
Definitely bring gloves and all your muskie release tools. When I saw where the hook was on yesterday's fish I was wishing I had a bolt cutter, but the Hook Pick took care of that problem.
Hope that helps! It is truly an experience seeing a 45" 'cuda peel 100 yards of line off your reel and come completely airborne several times during its run.
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| LOVE THAT PIC!! AWESOME!!
Thanks for the info, gets me excited for that later in the year. Will be nice to break up the winter.
You using a boat or wading? Figured you were wading because of the release pics, but the last one made me wonder.
Edited by muskydeceiver 3/13/2008 10:02 AM
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Posts: 2024
| Wading. That last one was taken while snorkeling. I have taken close to 600 photos in about 1.5 months and that is one of my top 5. |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | I dont have a question about the hook pick, but maybe a more important one....How's a guy swing a winter in the Carribean fishing and snorkeling??
Next you'll be posting pics of girls in bikinis. I hope anyway lol!! |
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Posts: 2024
| castmaster - 3/13/2008 10:28 AM
How's a guy swing a winter in the Carribean fishing and snorkeling??
I'm down here (Turks and Caicos Islands) studying for a semester (marine resource management)... or at least we should be studying. Kind of get distracted by the turquoise blue waters and white sand beaches. |
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Posts: 2089
| .......and the Biscuits. |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | I cant believe no one mentioned, SEAN YOU SUCK!!!!!
Hey cool pics. keep em coming. I know we wont have to encourage you too much to have a good time while you're there. Now remember young man YOU ARE THERE TO STUDY !!!!!.....
STUDY HARD my friend STUDY HARD.
Karl |
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