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Posts: 400
Location: Metro | Just gotta keep your head high man. I went through a lot of hours of pain before I landed my nice fish. Even my first two fish weren't very big. You just gotta take breaks when stuff like that happens or just do your best to shrug it off. I think a lot of guys on this site have learned to let things go. Musky fishing is a crazy sport and stuff you think would never happen happens. Just keep throwing and reeling. Find some people in your community that fish for muskies and try to get in their boat. Electronics aren't everything but if you can follow a weed edge or sunken island well it will better your chances at a muskie.
all in all everyone is going through the same thing you are they just don't say it. I was definitely in your boat for a long time so I understand. |
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Posts: 1516
| You never get over it. It will haunt your dreams forever or at least till you bag one |
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Posts: 2026
| My advice, go buy a lure that cost twice the amount of retail and you'll be cured...
Seriously, my first 3 fish were trolling fish. 2 were over 50, but the 4th that hit and I lost due to my error felt unreal... the power of the headshakes and runs it made haunt me, but also provide some extra drive to keep at it. I only fish Vermiliion when I'm in MN. It's a big learning curve there. I was at about 150 hours of casting before I hooked up with my first casting fish, with 3 lost fish before it. I would suggest a robo-handle as well for fishing alone. It's helped me greatly since getting it. Good luck. I'll be up there July 6th to 11th if you are free and need someone to fish with. |
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Posts: 25
| I have to second the "no flouro" statement!!! The only leader that I recommend is a single strand steel leader of at least 120 lb test and at least 12" long. I won't even trust ball bearing swivels as they have cost me fish. Personally, I make all my own leaders (you need a jewelry making round nosed pliers, swivels, and wire, look up how to bend the wire on YouTube) and would recommend American Fishing Wire products. Their wire is great and their mighty mini swivels are bulletproof. And while we're on the topic of failing components I won't even use a snap. I make a small loop at the end I tie to my mainline and put a 330 lb swivel at the other end with a Joe Bucher split ring to attach my bait. Well over 400 fish in my boat on that leader and zero failures.
As for getting over it I will say you never will fully. I have several lost fish over the years that haunt my dreams. But that just makes you hungrier to get back out and beat that fish!!! Stick with it, stay positive, and I promise you will get that first fish in the net!!!
Tight lines... |
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Location: MN | Very well put Hammski.
Losing big fish is heart breaking and being your first would make it even worse. My first couple years muskie fishing I don't think I lost one fish. The last couple years I have had a bad case of losing fish and have hooked and lost probably close to 20 and a couple were biggins and it stings. Fortunately I have caught more than I have lost or I think I would be going nuts. Losing fish is just part of the game.
My offer still stands from last year if you want to get out locally. I'd also suggest joining the local Lake Superior Muskie Inc chapter and go to the meetings and get involved. There are a lot of great guys in the chapter that are willing to help you out. |
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Posts: 99
| The Sad Stages of Losing a Fish
http://mysterytacklebox.com/blog/the-7-stages-of-losing-a-fish-2/ |
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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | Getting back out on the water tonight. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. It still stings but atleast I had one to the boat! Positive thoughts. |
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Posts: 9
| Keep at it. I started fishing hard for Muskie in September of last year, dabbled here and there since spring 15. Took me around 150 hours to get my first one at end of April. Next trip out a week later I got another one. Thirty hours later I got my third. Had my first double day on Sunday, a 33" tiger and a 42" pure. Those came after getting skunked for seven hours the previous trip out. Hang in there. |
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Posts: 14
| Things will start clicking and when they do, they will click fast.
my two passions are muskie fishing and waterfowl hunting. My first few years of both where freaking brutal compared to what a typical year looks like now. Keep at it and try and enjoy every minute of it. Eventually things will start coming together for you.
When I think back particularly about waterfowl hunting I can't help but laugh. If my buddies and me shot a freaking goose or a couple ducks it would have made our week... I don't know how we put all that effort in for MAYBE one goose or a couple hen mallards. The same goes for our muskie careers. the first few years where brutal, but we didn't know that at the time. We just kept throwing baits and enjoyed every minute of it. Only now that I have put in 11 years after these fish do I look back and think about how brutal those first years actually where. |
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Posts: 30
| Retie and keep castin!
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Posts: 612
| I've lost far more giants than I've caught and I fish alone a lot, it's average. After 8+ minutes I lost a giant a little while back couldn't believe that fish dropped off after such a fight my wrist was aching. You'll get over it and they'll be other fish to catch. Don't overthink the situation learn what you can and move on. |
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Posts: 36
| Just laugh and go on I have fished for muskies for 28 yrs and have never landed a 50 My best is 46.75" I fish by myself most of the time so I know your pain of trying to net big fish one handed. Just don't give up keep going Remeber this she will be bigger next time you get a hold of her |
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Location: Eagle Lake Vermilion Bay, Ontario | IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME,.....BUT NOT MUCH!!
HERBIE |
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Posts: 1120
Location: West Chester, OH | Andy Myers Lodge - 7/3/2016 7:19 AM
IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME,.....BUT NOT MUCH!!
HERBIE
Post of the year!! |
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Posts: 32
| Its still gotta eat, its not like it moved to detroit so get back out there. |
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Posts: 68
| Over time you realize that catching fish is just a bonus.... just being out on the water is worth enough. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Don't feel bad dude! This is Muskie fishing! It is not easy, but the fish are catchable. Muskie fishing requires a lot of work, time and just plain persistence. Having lost one +50 inch Muskie is no big deal. You have to remember that the larger the fish, the harder they can be to land. Everyone that has fished for any amount of time has lost big fish and probably more than we care to admit. All one can do is keep trying. Muskie fishing can be strange though. One can go a long stretch between fish and then can catch two or three in one outing. Much of the fun is that one never knows what the next cast brings.
Good luck. |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | It sounds like you are doing everything right. You are using good equipment and getting fish to connect. I was frustrated early on when I started and I was out with Jim Murphy once and he told me the same thing. Doing everything right plus time on the water will net you success. It'll come. |
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