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Posts: 5
| hello, soon as the snow melts im looking to get into musky fishing. Been fishing all my life. I was wonder what kind of rod, reels, line and lures some people use for these fish. And if anyone wants to share some lakes to go to in Upper Michigan that would have muskies. Thanks in advance | |
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Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Welcome to the sickness known as muskies....lots of questions there, and I'd love to take some time to answer them, but work is calling my name. My number once suggestion is that you use that time between now and ice-out is to poke around this site looking for the answers to those questions. Also, use the Search function liberally. | |
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Posts: 28
Location: crivitz, wi | If your from the UP area you could come to one of our
meetings. Our club is boundary waters musky club.
bwmuskyclub.com
Come check us out and join if you like. We have meetings
in Iron Mt. and Crivitz.
Bob | |
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Posts: 8792
| You'll get 50 different opinions on what equipment to buy... Of those 50, 10 will be from guys who have reasons (other than being helpful) for promoting those products. 10 will be from guys who are recommending something they do not own and have never tried. 10 will be from guys who do own it, but haven't used it enough to know how it holds up. 10 will be from guys who own it, use it, like it, but have never tried anything BUT that and have no idea how it compares to the other stuff out there.
That leaves 10.
Of the 10 remaining unbiased opinions from people with no sponsorships, no stake in products, whose friends don't own the companies, who actually have fished long enough, often enough, and with enough products to have an opinion that you ought to listen to:
- 2 don't type or communicate well enough to make sense.
- 2 are jerks. Nobody likes listening to a jerk, even when they are right.
- 2 will recommend stuff that is way out of your price range and completely unnecessary for a beginning muskie fisherman.
That narrows it down to four. Of those four, 2 will have bad experiences with the products they now recommend and will be telling you never to buy them in a year.
That leaves 2.
I am one of the two. 
And here is my advice:
Don't buy anything until you have fished enough to know why you are buying it. You will eventually develop a fishing style that suits you, and your equipment will reflect that. You will grow to prefer certain types of rods, reels, grips, action, lures, colors, etc. Until you have done that? You can waste a #*#*pile of money buying things you don't need, will not use, and will either collect dust or you'll be selling on Ebay for less than half of what you paid for it. There's a lot of perfectly good gear for sale here that provides a great example of "I bought this because I thought I wanted it but now I'm trying to unload it for $50 because I don't like it"
On the other end of that transaction there is someone with $50 going "what an idiot, I LOVE that ____! $50 is a STEAL!"
Until you can look at that $50 _____ and know you want it? Too soon to be buying stuff.
If you absolutely must buy muskie gear anyway? Do not skimp on terminal tackle. That means buy good leaders, good snaps, good split rings, etc. Don't know which ones are good? That's my point -- its too soon to be buying stuff until you know what you are buying.
Dig up the old thread where we all tried to figure out how to outfit a newbie muskie angler with $1,000. Then go fishing. Worry about buying stuff later.
Edited by esoxaddict 2/11/2009 4:39 PM
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| for rods/reels etc you don't have to spend a ton. when you are new, start off with the lower priced stuff that you may find you like just as much as the high dollar stuff.
For rods, start off with a long one, 8 to 8'6" as you will be happy you did.
Okuma and Tica are 2 that come to mind in the 130-140 dollar range and people love them.
For reels, there are plenty in the 70-140 range that are good reels. For the money imo the Maina reel from Bass Pro can't be beat, they had them on sale for $70 not too long ago. If they break send it in, they send you a new one.
Line, go with 80 lb in whatever flavor you like, PowerPro, Stealth, Bronzeback, etc etc. Get some good leaders and you are set.
Go down to Minocqua and visit Rollie and Helens if it isn't too far of a drive for you and they will set you up.
my 2 cents. and I'm one of the jerks that is always right! ; ) | |
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Posts: 91
| very well said addict! | |
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| dawger - 2/11/2009 4:47 PM
and I'm one of the jerks that is always right! ; )
never listen to a man that wears a visor | |
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Posts: 38
| Heres a start
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=783
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Posts: 38
| Heres an important part also , release tools and tech.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=766 | |
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Posts: 5
| thanks for all the replies. Sure cant wait till the snow melts here. | |
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| Men who sport visors. Bucher, Heiting, Saric, SWorrall, yah, never ever listen to guys who wear visors....they don't know anything..... ; )
Tapsboy, get yourself a visor! | |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Let me speak from experience. Three years ago I got into musky fishing, so I know a lot about getting outfitted from scratch.
You already made a good start by visiting this forum. There are others. Find those, too. To really get into musky fishing you have to be familiar with what everyone is arguing about. Musky fishermen are always arguing. Always, no exceptions. They agree on nothing. Oh, sure, there are small groups that might agree on an issue or two or what equipment to use. For about five minutes.
Anyhooo, read a couple thousand posts about what's out there for equipment, then you'll have a million different equipment ideas banging around inside your head. This is a good thing as you'll realize going forward. You'll need to get started on that right now and do it for the next 24 hours straight. You'll be a little short on time, but you're cramming.
Next, forget EsoxAddict's post. Completely ignore it. If you hang around these boards you'll find he has an agenda. To put it simply, he thinks you might have a boat and wants you to take him fishing. That's why he's telling you not to buy anything right away. Soon he'll offer to let you try some of his stuff, if you'll take him fishing on the lake on which he owns a vacant lot. Next thing you know, he'll be staying at your house every weekend and you won't be fishing the UP, but on "his" lake in the Presque Isle area. Consider his post white noise.
Now let's assume you follow advice. Friday morning, 2/13, yes, two days from now, get in your car with a wallet full of cash and credit cards. Drive to Milwaukee and straight to State Fair Park where the Milwaukee Musky Show is being held this weekend. Also bring some blankets because if you follow my advice properly you should probably sleep in your car Friday night. When you walk in, the show is a little overwhelming. It's loud, crowded, and there are rows and rows of shiny, new, pretty things. It's a little like the first time you walk onto a casino floor, but without the angry old blue haired ladies playing the slots.
Head over to one side or the other and start down an end aisle. Don't talk to anybody or stop and look at anything. You're not ready yet. Go about halfway down and you'll see a beer stand. Stop there and drink three or four beers. More would be good, but I don't know your tolerance. When you finish the beers, head across the show through the middle to the other side. There you'll find a beer stand. Have another four or five beers.
Now you're ready to shop. Start by weaving your way down the aisles talking to everybody at every booth. Tell them you're new to the musky addiction and need to buy some stuff. Everybody will tell you exactly what you need. Tell each and everyone you appreciate the info, and you'll be back once you're organized. After you've browsed every single booth, it's time.
For more beer. Drink another six or so, then start down the aisles. Much like it does with women, the beer will have given you pretty strong opinions on who you liked, what was pretty, and what you want. Start buying with all three hands (for my first show I grew a third hand, might be tough for you because you are short of time).
You'll need at least three rods. Look for expensive semi-custom stuff. Four would be better. You'll want at least five reels, preferably six because they always break. The pricier the better. Go for the BIG cranking handles. Baits? Buy at least three hundred. Lots of soft plastic, dozens of spinner baits, maybe twenty gliders of all different sizes, at least forty different topwaters, and no less than 150 bucktails with double ten blades.
As far as colors go? Again, like at bar time, the beer will make some more appealing than others. Buy two each of every color that seems pretty. Muskies view baits much the same way as a beer drunk human, so you can't go wrong. Make sure you get at least fifty black baits. Black is really important.
After the baits have been purchased get three or four sets of release tools. Knipex, pliers, hook removers, etc. Get two that float and one that doesn't. By a crapload of leaders, trebles, and different kinds of line They're all good, but you'll want to try them all, so stock up hugely. Get the biggest Lakewood bait box you can find and three dozen flat Planos. You'll find the huge Lakewood a pain, but it does come in handy around the house as a light bulb changing platform so you do need one.
At the very end, buy a cradle net and the biggest a$$ hoop net you can find. I would imagine these days you can find one big enough to hold Starr Jones before her surgery. Cradles aren't real practical in a boat, but they work well as a travois to get your newly acquired treasure out to your car.
After you buy all this stuff, I'm thinking you can get it done for less than $6,000, head back to the beer stand and drink a bunch more beer. Hard liquor is also good if they have it, and I think they do. That way you'll have something to blame Saturday morning when you say to yourself.....
"OH MY GOD, WHAT HAVE i GOTTEN MYSELF INTO!!!!
Then head to the Bait Swap Saturday Night and buy another tackle box full of cool used stuff that you can't find new anymore.
Good luck. You might think I'm kidding, but I'm not. This is almost exactly what I did. I haven't purchased anything since. I was safe from Esox Addict as I don't have a boat.
Kevin
Memories of my first show. | |
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Posts: 32894
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Hopeful
Only one weakness in your advice. After 10 beers in that place this fellow is sure to be nearly broke. a Pop is like...35 dollars or something. Look around, find the booths with felows who look entirely too happy to be working. They have a stash, I guarantee it. Beg a couple shots, and THEN go about Hopeful's routine, skipping the rudley expensive barley pop. With the money you save, you can buy an SUV or something. | |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Funny shint, Kevin... I will sleep good tonight after Laughing my rear end off...
You should be a comic .
Jerome | |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | Hopeful
Does that work for anybody, or is that only for newbies? And I'm not just talking about staying away from Addict.
Peter | |
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Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA | Tapsboy68, These guys must of been arguing before they posted . If your new to the sport or never fished for them before ,you might want to go out with someone that has maybe a friend . It is unlike any other fishing you probably fished for before. It is not all just what is on the videos all catching, there is long hours and sore hands and back sometimes. It is very rewarding though . Its the top of the food chain in there world and KNowing that is makes it all the sweeter when you succeed. Tackle though ,you do not have to spend all your money on it,At first . One of the guy said the Pete mania combo thats a good start . Me and Tom Dietz pushed the garcia 6500 and the Gander series musky Rods combos for beginers. I still have one I use ever now and then. The price is not everthing but on the other hand you get what you pay for in most cases, but if you do not have it you have to get what you can. If you like the sport you will buy more rods and reels. as fare as lures there are so many , bucktail are a good place to start . Research others start talking to people local tackle shops are probably your best bet. good luck ,Herb
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Posts: 5
| Thanks for all the advice. The real thing i had questions about was the rod, reels, line setup and possible places to fish in the UP. I make my own lures that i use for pike and lake trout. i have alot of info to take in but cant wait to try. | |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | To answer that question accuratly, it would help to know what kind of lures are you going to be using, size wise, and what is your price range. For line I would reccomend Spiderwire Ultra Cast Invisi Braid in 80 pound test.
Peter | |
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Posts: 8792
| Kevin, you forgot to add the critical last-phase of your buying adventure:
Decide that muskie fishing really isn't for you and dedicate your time to golf instead...
Also worth mentioning:
If I had all the money I spent the first couple years buying stuff I thought I needed? Well, I'd have enough for a boat, that's for sure. 
Edited by esoxaddict 2/12/2009 9:46 AM
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Posts: 5
| well i dont really like golf. I play it once a year for my girlfriends grandpas memorial outing. And all i end up doing is getting really drunk.haha | |
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Posts: 225
Location: Nordeast Minneapolis | It may not be the flashiest reel in the world, but for starting out, an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500 is a pretty darn good reel. I seem to remember an issue of 'Field and Stream' calling them the most versatile reel in the world... and after a quick search on the ebays, it looks like you could easily get into one for under $50. That was what some of the 'buy it now' prices were at; the ones with bids were considerably lower.
And while you could go for a 8' rod, pairing that 5500 C3 with a 7' or 7'-6" St. Croix Triumph series will give you a remarkably useful tool for catching muskies, larger northern, salmon, etc. without breaking the bank. This website and Craigslist can be your friends in that regard.
A decent braided line in the 60-100 lb test range should sit on that pretty well, and I've found ebay to be a pretty good source for that, too.
And that's how you can start before you spiral into the depths of addiction like the rest of us! Good luck. | |
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Posts: 145
| Ok, I'll chime in... it depends on your budget mine is small.... that being said, I have an abu SSC3 that I got on e-bay and a trophy tamer made by southbend that I got at walmart. I am looking to upgrade to a musky rod from gander and an induron. I like spidewire stealth it has treated me well and it is affordable. They are right don't skimp on your leaders! For floro leaders your looking at abou $7 each. Single strand and 7 strand are cheaper I like them both but everyone has opinions. LURES its best to go with the standards, get one or 2 of each category top water, cranks, deep cranks,bucktails. I get one natural color, one bright (firetiger or the like). Get a suick! They are easy to work and they catch fish. Remember paint jobs are made to attract anglers first and then maby the fish. A few lures in the primary categories to cover all depths where they may be is a good strategy. I am only a little over a year into this but this is what I did I figured I would pass along the info before I got too far along in my journey and possibly lose touch with where one starts.
Good luck!
Jacob | |
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Posts: 8792
| sworrall - 2/11/2009 9:13 PM
[...] Look around, find the booths with felows who look entirely too happy to be working. They have a stash, I guarantee it. [...]
Dennis Lappen??  | |
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Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA | Jacob ,very well put , when he dicide on the sport and catches the fever more things wil follow and it can get salty as we all know shoe boxes full of lures we will not ever use . Taps if you never use a bait caster reel you migh want to spend a couple of extra buck on titanium leader at first they will not kink when you back lash and shoot your confedence to dirt,also they will last for years saving you money in the long run. Herb | |
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Posts: 3871
| Welcome! Lake/river suggestions depend on where you live in the yoop. Check out Boundary Waters Musky Club, mostly folks who live in the MI/WI border area. They'll have a lot of good suggestions and I have some, too, but will wait to hear on your location. (After all, the yoop is as wide as the lower is tall.)
Rod - of the rods I've owned (Falcon, St. Croix, All Star, Fenwick, etc) the Cortlands are the best deal. Sweet rods, under $100, and I think they still have a no-questions-asked return policy (so if you break it you get a new one). I have 3 sizes and would suggest the 7' bucktail for you.
Reel - Abu Garcia Ambassaduar, 5500 maybe. Bet you can get a nice one from someone on this site, just post a WTB on the buy/sell page.
Line - I'm a Powerpro 80# guy all the way, but if you are just getting the hang of casting bigger lures with a baitcaster then I would suggest you start with heavy mono rather than the expensive stuff. Beginners get backlashes which will require you/us to cut out line to free the spool. Gets expensive and you want a full spool to cast with all the time. So maybe Trilene Big Game in 25# and then switch over to the good stuff after your backlashes are so few you can call them "professional wind knots".
Leaders - I make them and will sell you a few for next to nothing. Hit me up at [email protected] for arrangements if you're interested. These would be flouro and straight wire. I avoid sevenstrand because it kinks and I won't use a kinked leader. Nor will I waste boat time tying new ones on all day 'cause I hate downtime in the boat. So, flouro is the way to go for me. (I use straight wire only for glide baits, flouro for everything else.) I had Titanium leaders fail twice so, with respect to Herb above, I don't recommend them.
Please let me know where you are and I may have lake/river info for you. I know the western half of the Yoop the best, maybe 15 musky lakes/rivers, but also some waters in the eastern part of the yoop. If you live to the west of Escanaba, I know some WI lakes, too. I collect lake maps and have a fax at home so I'll share.
Lures - you make your own but will they move muskies? I agree with Jacob above, "A few lures in the primary categories to cover all depths where they may be is a good strategy." So - a dark colored Bucher TopRaider for surface, a Perch Colored unweighted Suick for the top 10 feet, a Crappie pattern 7.5" Grandma crank bait for throwing and trolling, and a black/silver tandum RadDawg spinnerbait for nightime casting/trolling. Maybe a firetiger jointed Bucher Depthraider for deep water. You want a decent file so all hooks are as sharp as possible all the time, and, paint the fresh metal of each tip with a Sharpie magic marker to prevent corrosion.
ASAP get a BIG net plus release tools (Channel locks and heavy needlenose.). Side cutters will NOT cut thru a 3X hook, you must have mini-bolts like the Knipex mentioned above. You'll understand why mini-bolts are real important the first time you get hooked. Pluse you can cut hooks out of fish if necessary. I wonder how many regulars, like me, have been to the hospital to have hooks removed.
Last - consider making a WTB list and post it on the buy/sell page. You might get everything you need from one or two guys/gals and save a bunch of money. Heck, I'll probably trade leaders for one of your homemade baits.
Ok, hope that's helpful!
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Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA | Tap ,I think Ranger and the rest of us coverd most aspects and probably saved you a bunch of money and time . there was a broad amount of specific info. to think about and you will develope your own ways and opions on things as you go. If Ranger is going to save you some money on leaders or trade and give you areas to fish I would its a good opportunity. | |
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Posts: 5
| I want to thank everyone who posted on here to help me. I have been pricing out reels and rods and my lines and I am getting anxious for this snow to melt to try out some lakes. | |
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Posts: 156
| The things I have learned as a newb musky hunter on the various forums (this will save you a lot of reading):
1) Unless you have at least $350 for a rod and reel you might as well forget about fishing muskies. The fish know how much you spent and they won't bite on any combo worth less than that, its beneath their dignity.
2) No matter how good of a reel you get it is a piece of junk because if you post up what you bought at least 5 guys on the forum have broken that model on its first day on the water.
Good fishing.
I'm just getting into this too. I found that "Pro Tactics: Muskie" by Jack Burns and Rob Kimm is a great introduction that teaches you about the lures, gear and tactics. However, it does not have much in the way of specific rod/reel recommendations.
Edited by Makintrax73 2/16/2009 9:32 AM
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new to musky