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Posts: 4
| So I just moved to Eau Claire, WI, from South Dakota. Walleyes and smallies are definitely here, which is awesome, but I have an itch to get into muskie fishing next season. I'm hoping to gather enough gear to be able to start casting or trolling in the spring.
I have the lakes in my area and the boat, but no equipment. Where to start? I know I'll need to pick up a giant net, some hefty hook removal tools, and possibly a bump board eventually.
But rods, reels, and those pesky (and expensive) lures....
This may be hard to pin down, but if you were going to pick one rod, one reel, and a collection of 1 to 10 lures, what would you recommend? I've used casting reels enough previously that I'm not worried about spending the time to rehone my skills, if necessary.
Thanks in advance for suggestions. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Join the 1st WI Chapter of Muskies, Inc. The can help you out. Get involved and you will learn all you need to know. |
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| Plenty of folks will help you out with having to join a club as well....If I had to only have one rod it would be an 8 to 9 foot heavy rod, it would allow you to throw most baits. A decent level wind reel spooled with 80lb super braid will help. No need to spend a ton of money on our first set up(this will change as the sport is addictive). As far as lures go, pick up a couple bucktails, a couple surface, cranks, and jerkbaits...You don't need hundreds of baits, just 10-20 that you feel good about. Hook cutters are pretty important as well. If you are able to catch walleyes and smallies, you will do fine with muskies...just a bigger fish with less population density...I am sure you will get lots of help on this thread...Ben |
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| How heavy a rod are you going to buy? How stiff?
To throw the double cowgirl lure you need a pretty heavy rod. To throw jerk baits, the rod must be pretty stiff.
I would suggest starting with normal size bucktails and crankbaits. These are probably your highest percentage baits. I'll tell you what I like.
1. Mepps Magnum Muskie Killer with a tandem tail for summer, single tail for spring. Silver blade with black tail for clear water. Gold blade with yellow tail for stained water.
2. Mepps Giant Killer, again with tandem tail for summer, single tail for spring.
3. 6" Jake with hooks downsized to number 1. The hooks are light but the action of the lure is less if the hooks are bigger. To catch the fish you must first get it to strike.
4. 7.5" Grandma. Casts better than the 8" Jake. Nice action. Because of the size of the hooks, 8" Jake fouls too much on the cast, but is good for trolling.
5. 7" Believer. 8" Believer for bigger fish or later in the season. Really easy to use; and produces.
6. 8" Depthraider, either straight or jointed. Try both. 6" Depthraider for spring or tough bite times.
7. Standard Topraider in dark color or bullfrog. Easy to use and a proven producer. I wouldn't be without one.
8. Any good Walk The Dog topwater lure. I use the Baby Doc (7") from Musky Mania. This is a topwater jerk bait but can be worked with standard rod.
Colors. Don't get crazy. Firetiger is as wild as it is safe to get. In clearer water the natural color schemes should work best. (The Believer in 9$ bass is in point here.) In darker water, lighten up.
You know the importance of the net. It has to be big enough, but it doesn't have to be gigantic. Make sure you can handle it by yourself if you fish alone. Of course, 8" pliers are a must. To me, so are gloves.
Good luck. |
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Posts: 1317
Location: Lebanon,Mo | Turn around now before it's too late.... 
But really,you dont need every bait out there and no need to buy the most expensive rod/reel combo out there until you get your feet wet and feel like it's something you want to pursue in the future.Dont burn yourself out.I recommend to start with a 8' rod and a reel that will handle a small bait and a larger one,maybe a Okuma IDX400,Abu 6500,Shimano Corsair,etc.Baits will probably depend on your lake,and some locals can help you pick out what works best. |
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Posts: 4
| Cast - 10/21/2009 9:28 AM
How heavy a rod are you going to buy? How stiff?
To throw the double cowgirl lure you need a pretty heavy rod. To throw jerk baits, the rod must be pretty stiff.
That's the problem, I don't know the answers to those questions. Those are actually the questions I'm trying to get answers to. I don't know that I've ever even held a muskie rod/reel combo. I've taken some time to look at lures, but don't have anything or know where to even start
I don't mind a steep learning curve to get started; I love being on the water. I will say that I did catch my first muskie on Friday and he was a fun catch. I was casting the Chippewa for panfish and walleye and hooked a little 16" hammer handle on my ultralight. |
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Posts: 156
| I've been looking at overstockbait.com which advertises on this site, and I have to say they have some pretty decent deals on their site. Worth a look. Look for a link on the upper right corner of this page. For sale forum on this site usually has some good deals also. Muskies take a lot more work than seems reasonable, I'm new at this and spent a lot of time on the water before I hooked my first. The feeling you get when you boat one makes that work worth while! |
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | Throughout the winter there are some pretty good things that come across this website too. Both information and things for sale. Just watch it every day or two and you will pick up lots of info. |
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Posts: 283
Location: beloit | stinkynathan - 10/21/2009 10:48 AM
Cast - 10/21/2009 9:28 AM
How heavy a rod are you going to buy? How stiff?
To throw the double cowgirl lure you need a pretty heavy rod. To throw jerk baits, the rod must be pretty stiff.
That's the problem, I don't know the answers to those questions. Those are actually the questions I'm trying to get answers to. I don't know that I've ever even held a muskie rod/reel combo. I've taken some time to look at lures, but don't have anything or know where to even start
I don't mind a steep learning curve to get started; I love being on the water. I will say that I did catch my first muskie on Friday and he was a fun catch. I was casting the Chippewa for panfish and walleye and hooked a little 16" hammer handle on my ultralight.
I use an 8'6" xh gander mountain rod with a calcutta 400b on it, the rod is about $80 and the reel $230. I throw everything with it, cowgirls/showgirls, gliders, twitch/crank baits, topwaters, mag dawgs. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Buy yourself about 20 Plano boxes and start filling them with lures. You will get about the best prices form Musky Tackle Online. He has about anything you need for lures and the best prices. http://www.muskytackleonline.com/
Check out Rollie and Helens too. They will have some good rods and reels for you plus more lures. http://www.muskyshop.com
If you want to try and make your own stuff try Stamina or Moores Lures. Its fun to catch fish on the stuff you make with your own hands. Plus its something to do in the winter time http://www.mooreslures.com
Good luck.
James
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Posts: 283
| Guide series rods are great and it saves you money to buy a little nicer reel like the 400b. For lures Topwater-chopper, tidal wave, weagle, creeper Blades- Cowgirl, flasher, and something small like a fudally musky candy, and a spinnerbait like a grinder or a rad dog Crank/twitch- krusher, depthraider, storm kicking minnow, grandma 7.5 , Jerk/Rubber- bulldawg type bait, suick, tyrant, phantom
Net- Frabill, Beckman, Stowaway they are all good I like the ones with the extra coating on the net
Terminal tackle- Leaders- Stealth 130lb floro Line- Powerpro, Cortland I like nothing under 80lb Tools- Hookcutters(a must have) extra long nose pliers cabelas has a nice pair, and jaw spreader
Sucker Rigs- Since you are starting now why not you may need one. Smity makes a nice one with a blade, single hook, and treble that we have been doing really well with.
Tackle Box- for now small planos are fine but I love my big lakewood for holding tools and a few baits
I know this seems like a lot just to start out but trust me once you start buying muskie equipment you wont be able to stop.  Hope this helps |
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| stinkynathan - 10/21/2009 10:48 AM
Cast - 10/21/2009 9:28 AM
That's the problem, I don't know the answers to those questions. Those are actually the questions I'm trying to get answers to. I don't know that I've ever even held a muskie rod/reel combo. I've taken some time to look at lures, but don't have anything or know where to even start
Nate, since I wrote about this yesterday, I'll add something here. I agree that the Gander Mountain, Guide Series Muskie rods are a nice and economical place to start. I have an IM 8 that cost $80; and two others. I am satisfied. So take a look at a Gander Mountain store, and see what you like. Reels? Well, what do you want to spend? You can go working class, Abu Garcia 6500C3 or Shimano Corvalus 400; in the $80 to $85 range. Middle class, Okuma Induron 400 or Abu Garcia Record; about $110 to $145. Or the aristocrats, Shimano Calcutta 400 and the like; more than $200. Its up to you and your bank account.
The lures I mentioned yesterday are all reasonably priced. If you want to shell out some more money, I would add the 5.5" and 6.5" Wiley lure to the list. It accounts for a lot of fish; at least Out East where things are tough.
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Posts: 582
| Any 7'6" or 8' heavy fast action rod will work. I would look at Gander, shimano, okuma, black river or St Croix. They are all a horse appeice. All will work. I would spend more on the reel. A 400b or a AC300 SC reel will work for you. |
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Posts: 1057
Location: Medford, WI | Nathan, wish I would've seen this post a little earlier. I go to school here in Eau Claire and would love to help you out. Lots of good advice above; just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
Reel: Pflueger Trion 66
-Very affordable (under $100) and has held up better than any I've used, which include Abu Garcias, Daiwas, and cheaper Shimanos
Rod: I would start with something in the Medium Heavy (MH) to Heavy (H) range. Some great rods that are hard to beat for the price are Shimano Compres. For starting out, I would think their 7'6 Heavy or 8' Heavy would be ideal. (http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/keys/compre/page/1/id/999/name/ShimanoCompreMuskieRods)
Lures: The one thing I try to do is not buy brand new lures. You would be amazed at how much you'll save. Sometimes, you may have to buy baits new (soft plastics) but stay away from too many new ones. I've got a lot of baits and I would say about 80% of them have come from the Buy/Sell Board on this site. I have plenty of lures I'll be looking to sell soon. If you'd like first dibs on them, let me know...saves me shipping and gives you a good deal. I think a lot of these have probably been covered above, butttt....
2-3 Bucktails: Mepps Musky Marabou, Musky Mayhem Showgirl/Cowgirl, Shumway Flashers
2-3 Topwaters: Bucher Topraider and Poe's Giant Jackpot (or Weagle or HomeWrecker - these 3 are walk-the-dog or side-to-side topwaters) and for a slower one either a HawgWobbler or a TinHead by Naze Baits.
http://www.nazebaits.com/Naze_Baits/Products.html
2-3 Crank/Twitchbaits: 6" Jake/Grandma, Slamr or Big Game Tackle, and a DepthRaider or Triple D
2 Jerk/GlideBaits: Weighted Suick, Hellhound or Manta
Soft-Plastics: 9" or 11" Curly Sue
http://www.shackattacklures.com/acatalog/9__Curly_Sue.html
There's many options, but I wouldn't overstock on any certain type of bait. Once you start fishing, you'll figure out what you like to throw and then you can expand your collection on that. Aaron, at muskytackleonline.com typically has the best prices and is very fast at getting the baits to you; I would highly recommend going through him for any new baits purchases. (He might also have a few Pfluegers still too). He carries most of the baits I mentioned above with a few exceptions.
I know this is getting long, and hopefully I'm not boring you; but I thought of some stuff that a beginner might not typically think of.
-Bucher or Wolverine Splitrings http://www.muskytackleonline.com/acatalog/Snaps__Split_Rings_and_Sw...
The splitrings on almost all baits are cheap and will bend/twist out pretty easily. I'd hate to see you lose your first pig like that!
-Split Ring Pliers (Pair from WalMart is my favorite and only $5)
Allows you to take off and put on split rings easily and quickly.
-Hookcutters (might not seem essential, but when you get a fish hooked deep, you'll definitely understand!)
-Leaders http://www.muskytackleonline.com/acatalog/Leaders.html
I would highly recommend Stealth Tackle Fluorocarbon Leaders, also pick up one or two steel leaders.
-Hook Sharpener (I'd just pick one up from Scheels - small green/yellow handle)
Any hook is never sharp enough, especially on new baits.
-Line
You want to pick up some braided line in 60-100lb test. I like 80-100, but others like more/less. PowerPro or Tuf Line are my favorite.
Well, I know that was a lot; but if you have any questions about anything, just let me know. Hopefully, we can get out next spring a few times - welcome to the sick sport of musky-fishing!
-Jake Bucki |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Go to a few muskie shows this winter, from your location Tri Esox show in Chicago or Georges Minnesota Expo. The fishing show in Madison has a bunch of muskie stuff but also other fish. and start looking and asking questions. |
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Posts: 4
| Hey, thanks for all the suggestions. Do you guys usually go with the biggest size of any given reel? I'm thinking specifically of the Record, but I believe others had multiple sizes.
I'm working on putting together a giant to-buy/Christmas/birthday list right now. Hopefully I've got enough gear by spring that I can start the casting insanity. |
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| Nate,
What you want is the Record 60 or Record 61. You want a reel that carries at least 220 yards of standard 14 pound test line. You won't use that much for casting, but if you get into a trolling situation, you'll need that much line. Muskies usually don't run a long way, but you need enough line to cover turning a boat around if you snag up on a troll. Better to be safe than sorry. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | I've heard more bad than good about the Record. I'd go with a different reel. |
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Posts: 8780
| The Record:
I loved the Record when I first got it. I loved the replacement they sent me when the anti-reverse went out on the first one after a few days of use, in a tournament no less. I liked the one they sent be to replace the replacement when the handle bent sideways on a fish. I don't like the one I have now, because the handle bent on this one too, on a smaller fish than the first one. I don't like the one I have now because the thumb bar doesn't always engage and disengage all the way, and I'm afraid one of these times my hands will be wet and I'll throw my rod in the lake. Which, I might add, I watched a friend of mine do that very thing last weekend, with a brand new Record.
So yeah, it's a great reel, unless you fish more than a couple times a year....
I am not out to bash any products here. I've broken Diawas and Shimanos too, but for every other brand of reel that fails for various reasons? I go through 3 Abu's.
Now, In a typical season I only fish maybe 40 -50 days. I keep my reels clean and oiled, I tear them down every winter for a full clean/grease/oil/inspection, I back off the drag and the mechanical brake when I'm not using them. I even carry oil with me on the water and periodically pull off the side plate and oil them, keep the pawl and worm gear clean and oiled... I am about as meticulous as you can be when it comes to maintenance and taking care of my gear.
About the only reels I have yet to have trouble with are my Penn's. 3 seasons on one, two on the other. They aren't cheap, but so far they don't break when you look at them funny, either.
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Posts: 4
| esoxaddict - 10/24/2009 3:08 PM
The Record:
I loved the Record when I first got it. I loved the replacement they sent me when the anti-reverse went out on the first one after a few days of use, in a tournament no less. I liked the one they sent be to replace the replacement when the handle bent sideways on a fish. I don't like the one I have now, because the handle bent on this one too, on a smaller fish than the first one. I don't like the one I have now because the thumb bar doesn't always engage and disengage all the way, and I'm afraid one of these times my hands will be wet and I'll throw my rod in the lake. Which, I might add, I watched a friend of mine do that very thing last weekend, with a brand new Record.
So yeah, it's a great reel, unless you fish more than a couple times a year....
I am not out to bash any products here. I've broken Diawas and Shimanos too, but for every other brand of reel that fails for various reasons? I go through 3 Abu's.
Now, In a typical season I only fish maybe 40 -50 days. I keep my reels clean and oiled, I tear them down every winter for a full clean/grease/oil/inspection, I back off the drag and the mechanical brake when I'm not using them. I even carry oil with me on the water and periodically pull off the side plate and oil them, keep the pawl and worm gear clean and oiled... I am about as meticulous as you can be when it comes to maintenance and taking care of my gear.
About the only reels I have yet to have trouble with are my Penn's. 3 seasons on one, two on the other. They aren't cheap, but so far they don't break when you look at them funny, either.
Yeah, I've read enough bad reports of that reel on this board through searching to scare me away from it. I'm still doing a lot of reading. I'm dead in the water on cash for a while anyway. Hopefully be set up for spring! |
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Posts: 121
| I keep seeing people on here slamming the Record. I've had 2 Record 60 HC's since they came out. I use one for jerkbaits and twitching Grandma's. The other is used for Curly Sue's and double #10's. I've never had any problems with mine. Maybe you are putting too much oil on them, too much oil, sometimes, is just as bad as not enough oil.
Just my opinion. |
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Posts: 1348
Location: Pewaukee, WI | I second your opinion. I also have 2 Record 60s and have not had a single problem with them having used them on a wide variety of baits of different sizes and weights. |
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Posts: 1716
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | if going garcia, check out fishermans factory outlet. google it and you will get a site that sells new, and refurb garcia reels for cheaper than new ones at your local shops. great way to start out and work your way up the ladder. |
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Posts: 57
Location: Madison | If I could only have 3 baits, I'd go with a bulldawg, a double cowgirl, and a pacemaker or water chopper. For a rod, I'd go with a Tica 8'6" 1-8 oz lures. That's a great all around rod and won't break the bank.
I have a Record and have nothing but good things to say about it. Actually caught my first 50" on it I also have a Shimano Calcutta which is also an excellent reel. I've had that for over 10 years. It's just a good idea to take the reels in (or ship them to the manufacturer) for cleaning/maintenance every year.
You also want to have a good net. You can't go wrong with Frabill. And some hook cutters. Knipex hook cutters are awesome...a little pricey, but worth it in the long run. I had the cheap ones and they rusted out on me pretty quick. Get some jaw spreaders (8" size) and a good pair of pliers (the longer, the better). You'll also want a file to keep them hooks sharp as well as some split ring pliers. For leaders, go with Stealth Flourocarbon. I personally use the 130lb.
And if you're not broke after all that look into hiring a guide for a day. You can seriously learn a ton in a short amount of time. Can't go wrong doing that.
Keep an eye on the buy/sell boards here as well as ebay. You can sure find a lot of stuff for a fraction of the price. |
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Posts: 8780
| Well.. Here's the thing about the Record. I LIKE it. I like how it feels, it's smooth, it casts well, the drag works well, I like the grip on the handle, I like that it has a power handle, I like the HC model because it holds extra line. I even like the way it looks with the light blue wraps on my bucktail rod. But I'm using this reel for bucktails, (smaller than double 10's, seperate combo for those), spinnerbaits, and topwater baits. Those aren't exactly reel-wreckers. I have a 6500C4 that I've used since 2006. (I think) It finally kicked the bucket a few weeks ago. I used that reel for ripping grandmas, throwing mag dawgs, jerkbaits, big heavy gliders... Those are heavy lures, some of which I really work about as hard as you can work them. It''s a high speed reel, with an aftermarket power handle. You're asking to break it using it how I used it. I got 4 seasons out of it before it even acted up on me. Sure, it's now broken, but those presentations are brutal. Reels wear out. But when you go through 4 Records in two years, some that only made it a few days? Sorry, it's not a reel I'd recommend, especially not to someone just starting out. If I had an endless supply of money, or a 5 gallon bucket full of spare Record parts? I'd probably have several rods rigged up with one, because I LIKE the reel. It just doesn't hold up for sh*t. At least not the way I fish... |
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