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Posts: 4
| Hello everyone,
I'm getting into Musky fishing and I envy you Northern guys who have access to these fish. I'm fortunate enough to be in a part of NC where Musky are stocked and a few reproduce naturally. I've not caught one yet but I'm going to try and land one soon.
Is it really, really necessary to get those big musky rods? Will a heavy power bass rod do?
I've noticed Musky lures can be expensive and was curious if I can just use Bomber Long-A, Saltwater Rapala cranks or the large Cotton Cordell cranks that are used for striper fishing.
Bass Pro has two store brand Musky lures on sale now: Thump N Deal and Deal N Dog. Has anyone used these?
Thanks to all that reply.
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Posts: 2097
| You should start off buying a muskie net and release tools
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Posts: 865
| IMO stay away from those baits...Stay on this site and ask questions. You will learn a lot....You do not want to extend the fight of the fish in warm Waters which you do have ..So the answer would be could you use bass rods , Sure....BUT WE DO NOT RECOMMEND IT.....Get a heavier rod braided line reel is not as important, a nice xlg net and a hook cutter to cut hooks...A good video or book will be a Plus..... Mike
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Posts: 865
| And Practice Catch and release..... leave fish in net, Lift out correctly when ready, and hooks are out.... One or two quick pictures and release |
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Posts: 1209
| If you have a extra heavy swim bait rod 1-4 oz or higher and you use lures that don't have a lot of drag resistance on a hook set AND the lure has thinner hooks you can manage.
If you have a comparably light rod and try driving a thick heavy 8ough hook it will not work. And I would say the reel is important if you want it to last but if you want to try it out for a while go ahead just keep your mind open to the power to hook to 35#+ fish equations in check |
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| you certainly can use bass sized equipment. Ive caught several up to 45" on a carrot stick, 8lb braid and little 2" shad raps.
always caught short line trolling, never casting. the drag must be very loose and adjusted during battle. The hooks are so small and sharp that really no hook set is necessary. The hooks will always get bent up though and the chance of loosing the fish is about 50% id say as the hooks only make it into the meat and not through the jaw.. Its a lot of fun catching one this way as it wears you out as much as the fish. Certainly finesse fishing when one is on the line and using the motor to catch up to them helps as they rip line. All that said, I would still opt for musky gear over bass gear. buy used stuff if money is tight. Doesnt have to be high-end gear. |
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Posts: 4
| What are a few lure choices you all would recommend? |
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Posts: 1283
| Agree with the release tools but I would disagree with the reel not being important. I think they are one of the most important things to spend money on if you are truly are going to start muskie fishing. You will destroy your bass reels and yourself reeling in hard pulling muskie baits.
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | The 7.5' to 8' bass flipping rods & swim bait rods will handle the smaller/lighter musky lures. You might have issues with the bass reels though. Most bass reels have weaker drags (usually around 11 LB max drag) plus they have less line capacity, which will affect the retrieve speed when your spool is over half empty after the cast. You also need to consider the size of the musky in the waters that you are fishing before you go spending money on lures. I'd avoid the BPS musky lures. Sure they will catch fish but the quality is lacking, thus the reason for the cheaper price. |
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Posts: 20248
Location: oswego, il | You can use heavy bass gear for muskies. You just have to use the right baits with them. I caught several muskies this week up to 48.25" on my 20 dollar bps flipping stick, Garcia revo s bass reel spooled with 30lb braid. I also used a home made fluorocarbon leader with a solid ring and the next size smaller stay loc snap. Been using it for years. I have a Calcutta 200b I will probably use that more in the future but the revo s has caught alot of muskies.
Now for baits, I am not throwing big rubber or double tens. My baits of choice were a crane 104, savage gear slow rise and a jackal swim bait. I even caught two on figure eights this past week. Pointer minnows and baits this size are what I am throwing. Nothing over 6" really.
You can't horse and force them once hooked. I use freespool alot anyway when fighting a fish so I don't worry a ton about the drag. Bring them in when they are not fighting, keep tension and let them have line when they are not. Kind of funny, I lost 5 fish this past week, 4 of them on my musky rod and reel.
As stated make sure you have good release tools. Long needle nose pliers, jaw spreaders, knipex hook cutters(could save your life). Get a musky net. Hopefully you already have these things.
If you want to throw bigger musky lures you will need musky gear. |
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Posts: 8828
| You can catch a musky on anything. The fish isn't going to destroy your gear. The gear we typically use is designed for the large heavy and hard pulling lures we use and not for the size or fight of the fish.
As for the lures? Many many muskies have been caught and still ARE caught on the bomber long A. Saltwater cranks should be sufficient. If you decide you want to continue to pursue musky fishing, a gear upgrade is in order.
Biggest general concerns: You don't want the line/leader to fail leaving a lure in the fish. Use a quality leader and at least 65# braided line. I'd say, as a general rule, try to use the largest lures possible. Small stuff will definitely work, but it's much more apt to wind up in the throat/gills, or buried in the mouth where it won't be easy to unhook the fish.
The tools are important. Once you hook one you have to be able to unhook it without putting the fish and your fingers in jeopardy. You don't need a $50 pair of Knipex to cut a 1/0 hook, but after having to hand someone a pair to take a 1/0 out of my arm a while back, I'd not have wanted him using a regular pair of wire cutters.
Big net, yes. Borrow one if you can. No use spending $150 on something you're going to use once. |
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Posts: 20248
Location: oswego, il | Good hooks are a must with a bass rod too. I like a thinner wire black nickel hook for an easier hookset. Since you have a bass rod you don't have to worry about the kind of pressure it would take to straighten them out. |
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Posts: 39
| i think 65pound braid is way over kill for the set up hell ne running 40-50 would be way better off. you are gonna want line capacity as well as strengthj and with a long cast and using 65 pound braid if you do hook one way out itll be gone for sure itll strip the line right off the reel |
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Posts: 1749
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I use an 8' flippin stick and a toro 50 with 65 lb braid and bass baits/leader and catch a lot of muskies on it every year. Set the drag accordingly and you will be fine. |
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