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Posts: 6
| Hi, I am new to muskie fishing. I caught my first muskie last year while fishing for bass. I have wanted to get into the sport ever sence then. I only have 2 muskie lures. I have a poes giant jackpot and a rapala husky jerk in the largest size. I am wanting to get some more lures for muskie fishing. What are some go-to baits for muskie fishing. I have heard that bucktails are good but what are the best brand of bucktails? I have also heard about large jerkbaits being good and bull dawgs.
What are some good leaders for muskie fishing?
The rod I have is a 6'6" ugly stik with a cabelas prodigy reel with 40lbs powerpro braid.
All the tips will be great.
Kyle | |
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Posts: 282
Location: north west wisconsin | first thing I would suggest is to upgrade your line and then get the necessary info on how to safely release a musky, also get the necessary tools so you do not get hurt unhooking a fish, long, long nose pliers, and a set of hook cutters, as for line I wouldn't go with anything less than 80 pound, opinions vary on this.. I use 100#... lures... take your pick find a couple you have confidence in and use 'em
good luck welcome to the insanity, do a search on here there is a ton of good info and some of the questions you asked have been answered a million times..
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Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI | BE CAREFUL here Kyle! First i'd do a search on this site for an old thread called "how mush does muskie fishing cost?" and thenmake sure this really is something you want to get into! The new hot baits are things like pounder bulldawgs, double cowgirl bucktails, weagles...all these take about a $350 set-up just to cast! Listen to the guys on this site, too. You'll get a lot of good info here, but don't be discouraged at the outset, it's worth it! | |
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Posts: 574
| No need to spend $350 just to cast these baits! You easily can, but it isn't a must.
An 8' shimano Compre rod with the gander reel and 80lb spider wire should get the job done for just about anything but the pounder bulldawg... Total cost rod, reel, line under $200 Rod has lifetime warranty, and gander will usually give you a new reel if anything happens with that.
Bait wise, dont go crazy buying baits, get a few PROVEN producers and use them, expand on them when you've had success.
Get a set of 10s, cowgirl or big mama
tail prop bait........top raider or water chopper
Big joes are a great bait that will catch fish in shallow or deep water.
Aside from that, maybe a spinnerbait(raddog,slopmaster) a deep crankbait(depthraider,earny), or and a kickin minnow can be good as well.
Good luck
I could go on and on about biats, but at this time of year these are what I would be throwing the most.
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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | true, you will need some new equipment, but it won't be too expensive (if you don't want it to be), and if you buy the right stuff, you won't need to re-buy it.
I won't go into brands, but you will be better off with a new rod and reel as has been mentioned. 7'6" min length rod. Get one reel that can universally pull many baits, like an induron or Luna. Spool with 80# min. I use invisibraid on all my rigs now.
Get a big bucktail, and a number 7 size bucktail.
get a couple of spinnerbaits, they are a very versatile lure. I like grim reaper products.
try a top water prop bait (musky buster mag) it can't be worked wrong.
With these set ups, you can get away with 100% floro leaders. Dont be cheap with your leaders and don't get anything less than 130# with stringease snaps. Until you use jerkbaits/glide baits, you wont need steel leaders.
Get a release glove, lindys is good. Please don't throw a Muskie lure until you have the right release tools, its safer for you and the fish. You will need either a very long needle nose or baker hook out. A VERY large net, so hooks can be removed while the fish is still left in the water. Knipex to cut hard to remove hooks stuck in either the fish or YOU. And polarized sunglasses to be worn at all times. (helps to see following fish and equally as important, will keep a hook out of your eye!!)
Buy everything you can afford to read, magazines and books.
Finally, welcome to the site. Ask for help here and you will get good advice. I have, and they have. I'm not new to Muskie fishing, but new to this board. You will be surprised at how the guys that can help, will. (just don't ask what spots to fish, LOL).
You may even be able to get most of the things you need to start, or grow your obsession with, here.
Just be careful not to catch Muskie fever, just muskies!!
Randy | |
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Posts: 6
| Thanks for the info so far guys. Can I ask what is wrong with a 6'6" rod. And what is wrong with my reel I have a cabelas prodigy baitcaster. I will go get 80lbs braid on the reel tho.
I have been looking at some baits can you tell me if they are good baits.
1)Slammer Minnowbait (I was thinking to get the perch, I have heard that muskie love perch)
2)Rapala SSR-14 in Shad
3)TopRaider in bullfrog
4)Rapala x-rap in the largest size
5)Musky Marabou with a silver blade and black tail.
Is there a better pattern that you should get on crankbaits or do you go for bright colors or more dark colors. Or do you "Match the Hatch" ?
If there are key time to fish a color could someone help me out on when to use the correct color.
Thanks again so far for the info
Kyle | |
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Posts: 431
| General rules: Dark day-dark lure, bright day-bright lure. Clear water-natural colors, Dark water-brighter colors. Your natural colors depend on the forage in the lakes you're fishing. I like Slammers and topraiders. Don't fish Rapalas much. Musky marabou is a good all-around bucktail. | |
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Posts: 720
| Good morning Kyle,
With all the choices on the market I think your approach is a good one. Take those lures and learn to use them with confidence. That is a big factor in musky fishing. The only thing I would suggest and I believe its been mentioned already is upgrade your line to a heavier pound test. At the very least a 65lbs or better yet 80lbs test. Adding bucktails to your bait collection would help a ton. I would call Ron Douglas at Crazy "D" Tackle. He makes a very good bucktail to your specs. Outside of those things your on your way to misery and bankruptcy. Only to followed by sheer joy when you end up tangling with a nice fish.
One last thing you need is a good attitude. Its fishing and its suppose to be fun. Musky fishing is more hunting than fishing. The hours will get long and your going to get frustrated and tired. At times like those take a break for five or ten minutes. Then keep trying.
Good luck,
Dave | |
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| Nebraska,
I am not long into muskie fishing and have dealt with many of the issues you are and will be facing.
I use Gander Mt. rods in 6'6" and like them. I have transport constraints and this is the best length for me. Whatever reel does the job is good enough to start with. You will find out if it works long term; and can upgrade or not as you choose.
Don't go out without an adequate net, long-nose pliers, and gloves. An enraged muskie at boatside is a tough customer. I use a Ranger net that I bought on sale for less than $30. It works.
Baits: I would throw darker, natural patterns in clear water; brighter patterns in stained water. Stick with proven fish killers to start with. Saric and Heitings book will give you insight on this. I would get a copy of it and read. Don't buy a lure simply because it is cheap. Get lures that work.
Rapala's seem to work. Where you are the SSR may be great. But check your hooks. I change all silver hooks to brass or steel color. Silver is too obvious in the water; and pressured fish may see them as red flags. (Just my thought.) I like the Topraider in bullfrog.
Good luck. | |
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Posts: 13
| I would suggest getting some multi-use baits, such as Belivers, spinnerbaits, and some plastics. Don't over do it! Leave that too me.
Ozzman | |
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Posts: 28
| One other lure I would suggest getting is a suick in a pattern that would be similar to the forage that is in the lake you fish. | |
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| KYLE, the longer rods will help you with setting the hooks and fighting the fish. also will help with casting of the lures and DOING A PROPER FIGURE 8. Spend the money on a new rod of atleast 7'6"--Gander has a few in the $80-100 price range--You will see they are well with the $. I would also upgrade the reel to at least a Gander Guide series or Ambassaduer. also about $70-80. You will not regrett spending a few dollars and will see why once you have the new equipment. Like said before--Buctails will help you out greatly and casting and retrieving will be a breeze with the new setup---Good Luck | |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | There's nothing wrong with a 6'6" rod if it is stiff enough. 6'6" or 6'9" rods are great for jerkbaits. For me, going longer than that is a pain in the butt for working jerks. I like working them with a straight down rod motion using taps, jerks and pulls.
A longer rod is nice for lures you just crank in like bucktails and spinnerbaits. It works great for diving crankbaits too. Keep the 6'6" rod and when you get some more lures you can think about adding rods that will make it easier to work them.
You should have a Suick or two. I doubt there is another lure out there with as good a track record for numbers of fish caught over the years. Bucktails are essential, but there is no one magic brand. You just need to try a few and see which ones work for you. | |
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Newbie needs some help