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Posts: 1
| Hi guys i just recently started musky fishing. To get myself started i bought a medium/heavy action rod and an ABU GARCIA 6600CB baitcasting reel, with 50lb spiderwire EZ braid line and a 45lb steel leader. If anybody is willing to share any opinions about rods, reels, lures etc. to help me better my odds of catching my first muskie the information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Matt |
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Posts: 646
Location: In a shack in the woods | i would use heavier line more like 80lb and a 45lb leader is waaaayyyyyyy too light. a muskie will chew through that in no time. i would suggest a solid wire leader to start. as for lures i would try some that are very easy (m/g spinnerbait by lindy) is cheap weedless for the most part and all kinds of fish will hit to keep you from getting bored.
Edited by bassinbob84 6/23/2009 7:24 PM
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Sounds like you are off to a good start Matt. A lot of people will likely tell you to upgrade your line to no lighter than 80 lb braid, but I think your 50 lb will suit you fine for now, but in a season or two when it is time to change, try out 80 lb Tuff Line XP. Very easy to pick out backlashes and I've never had a problem with it. I would however upgrade your leader to start out. Personally I like Kevin Cochran's straight wire leaders available on Musky Tackle Online.
As for baits don't go insane buying any and every. Get a couple proven producers and go get some fish under your belt. Then you can tailor your box to your fishing style. I'd recommend a topraider or similar bait. A bucktail, a crankbait and a weagle.
Good luck on your quest, the first one is always the hardest. Just remember to have fun and don't take the game to seriously like some would have you believe you need to do in order to be a successful musky fisherman. |
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Posts: 31
| Matt,
Join your local Muskies Inc. Chapter in your area and go to the meetings, there is a wealth of knowledge given for free at every meeting (well almost free). Was the best investment I ever made.
Bill |
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Posts: 222
Location: c.wis | talk to your buddies and see what works for them, then buy that- when you go on a road trip put up a post/do some research and buy a couple more- that way your hobby wont turn into an addiction as quick. my first lures were a topriader,large spinnerbait,suick,bucktail- and everytime I go out I throw one, well different colors but same lure-good luck |
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Posts: 1270
| You're almost there but like the rest I recomend that you up to an 80lb. line and a heavier leader. I do not think that any musky will actually chew through a 45lb. leader but this light of a leader will snap in a heart beat with a heavy lure on a backlash.
As for baits you can get by with 5 or 6 baits to start, then the sickness will set in and you will end up selling your kids to get more lures! Get a top water bait such as a Giant JackPot, a glide baot such as a HellHound, some crankbait along the lines of a 8" Jake and a couple bucktails and you should be good to get started. |
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Posts: 46
| 80 pound test +double show girl+ top raider+jackpot or weagle = musky's |
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Location: Oswego, IL | Figure out what your willing to spend right away to get going and talk to Aaron at Muskietackleonline.com and see what he can do for you, he is very knowledgeable and will set you up with the basics, he's got great prices! And you will get your gear very quickly. |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Good lure suggestions... keep it simple and get lures that are easy to work. Gliders might be a little frustrating given all the other nuances of casting for muskies. I agree w/ the topraider, a medium sized bucktail (regular flasher, harrasser), jackpot (just plain fun), and something you can work erratic (suick or a shallow invader). My #1 choice for a beginner, though, is a spinnerbait, something like a 3 oz grinder. Easy to cast, you can throw it anywhere shallow, deep, slow, fast, and you will catch fish under any conditions. Lure choice is probably 5% of muskie fishing success, you'll improve much faster by concentrating on the other 95%. Snap on a spinnerbait and forget about it. |
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Posts: 167
Location: Ontario | Start off slow and tehn within a couple months, go and increase the limit on you credit card...I got hooked very fast and now I need to think of ways to hide it from the boss!!!  |
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Posts: 264
| ya it is definately not a must to have 80pound braid. I have 65 and you can cast it a lot farther and its never broke.
Heres a couple bait suggestions
topwater- topraider
bucktail- buchertail
jerkbait- muskie mojo wabull
crankbait- depthraider or shallow invader
Edited by 619musky 6/25/2009 10:57 AM
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| You should consider hiring a guide on the body of water that you fish! This will help you save alot of time learning the water and the different types of baits and techniques used to catch fish there. Theres nothing better than hands on!
Joey R. |
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Location: Oswego, IL | All this info herre is great, I forgot to mention a guide as well, good point Joey. Just keep it simple or it will get out of control! |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I'd probably just start off with one lure from each "category", so to speak. Topwater, jerkbait, crankbait, spinnerbait, bucktail, plastic. It will give you the chance to practice with each style and type of bait. |
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Posts: 215
Location: Wisconsin | Welcome to the frustrating sport of Muskie fishing!
Most everyone else has touched base on the "get a stonger leader" and the "Use stronger line" stuff so I will add my two cents to your lure selection. The main reason for using stronger line isnt because you are looking to catch an 80 pound fish, but has to do with the diameter of the super line.
Hiring a guide on the body of water(s) that you fish is a great idea. If/when you do this, remember to ask a ton of questions and be certain to inform the guide that you are new to muskie fishing and are open to suggestions.
For lure choices, keep it simple to start off with. By that I mean pick lures that you simply cast out and retrieve. Jerk baits, glide baits and "Walk the Dog" lures should be avoided at first; until you get a feel how to retrieve them. Here is what I would recommend:
1) Black bucktail (Mepps Giant Killer)
2) Surface bait (Bucher Top Raider)
3) Crank bait (Bucher Depth Raider)
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4) Bulldog (Retrieve this one either steady or go with a "Reel-Tug-Pause-repeat" retrieve)
Here are a few more tips:
-Do a "Figure 8" after every single cast. (a big circle or an "L" will do nicely as well)
-After a good day's casting, remove about 6 feet of line and re-tie your leader. (Even super lines get beat up, a few nicks or frays could cost you a muskie)
- Get a hook sharpener. Even though the hooks on a lure seem fine out of the box, get them sharper!
Good luck, and keep us informed on how your journey into muskie fishing goes! |
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Posts: 156
| Do not be afraid of a long rod. I bought a 7' Pete Maina rod from bass pro. Inside the store it felt HUGE. Once I fished with it a couple times I wished I got a 7.5 or 8. |
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Posts: 73
Location: sw pa | first things first..... hook outs ,jaw spreaders,knipex bolt cutters, frabill net , to make sure the fish is unharmed before releasing it. the muskies inc thing is a great idea. i would use flourocarbon leaders. any lure will catch a muskie if it is hungry enough to eat.you have to experiment a little with different styles and types of lures. fish when you can,thats the best bet to catching your first muskie. figure 8 after every cast! |
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