| I have always been fascinated by the pike and muskie, so I have been planning a trip for Chautauqua. First, I have no good experience with baitcasting setups so I have a larger Browning spinning reel rigged w/26 lb. test, and St.Croix's extra heavy power one piece 8' spinning rod. I will get some good wire leaders. I have a jaw spreader. My friend (whose boat we will use) has a large net. I also have long handled pliers, etc. His boat is rigged with downriggers for salmon fishing, and he has rods appropriate for this.
My question on this gear is whether this will be adequate for a day of casting and trolling.
Next, on to baits. I have begun collecting some large baits. I have 6 or 7 (6-8") bucktail in line spinners in assorted colors, 5 1 1/2 oz. bucktail spinnerbaits in assorted colors, 3 large stickbaits- Bobbies, I think, 1 Rapala super shad rap in perch, a couple large Bombers, a couple other large Rapala minnows in fire tiger, a musky jitterbug, another surface lure made by some company out in Wisconsin with a rear blade that spins, another large surface lure - Poe's, I think.
Anyway, I am wondering what else I need to have for a basic repertoire to use on Chautauqua and elsewhere. What am I missing? I know by name a lot of these other popular baits - like Suicks, Depth Raiders, Jakes, etc. - but I am looking for recommendations so I can go purchase a few more. I can't afford an entire collection that a serious musky fisherman would have, but I also understand that those often take time to build.
Also, we will probably be heading there late this month or into October, so I seek advice on lures to use and whether we should concentrate on trolling or casting, etc. I do have a Hot Spots map of the lake. We are heading over from Rochester.
I thank you for any advice you can give. I would like to give us the best probability for success.
Mark |
| First off, Chautaqua is a great muskie lake, so your starting in the right place. Fish can be caught a lot of differant ways on this lake. If you like to cast, fish the weedlines, but there is also a great suspended bite if your a troller.
As far as trolling goes, you can't go wrong with Wiley, or legend crankbaits. Casting I would go with the jerkbaits of bucktails.
That's where you start, and then, just KEEP CASTING! it will happen. |
