First Time

[jalberg]

Hi, my cousin and I are targeting muskies for the first time this weekend. We will be in the SW metro area. I'm not looking for specific spots or anything, but what would you recommend as far as a bait to throw and what types of places to throw it this time of year? Any help would be much appreciated.

[rugbymn]

Target weed lines. If this is your first time targeting them, sticking with something like a bucktail or spinner would be a good choice.

Then again, based on the way my year has gone so far, I wouldn't listen to a word I say.

[asteffes]

Jalberg-

Being this is your first time I have a couple of suggestions/questions for you.

1.) Do you have a large musky net? This is vital in muskie fishing. If you do not have one you are risking the life of the fish as well as injury to yourself trying to catch and release the muskie.

2.) Do you have proper release tools? Hook cutters, long nose pliers, mouth spreaders, etc...These are also a must. When a fish is hooked badly, muskie fishermen cut the hooks on their lures and then remove the excess remnants from the fishes mouth/gill areas. Without these items, the fish will suffer and you may end up with a treble hook in your hand.

3.) Water temps are very high in the metro right now and many of us are choosing not to fish for muskie because of this. Check your water temps and consider what they are before targeting this species. They become very stressed during the fight and warm temps equal lower oxygen levels which means it is more difficult for the fish to recover from being caught.

4.) What lake are you fishing? Every lake is different and it is tough to give you advice without knowing this.

Please do not take my post negatively. I think that it is great that you and your cousin are interested in the sport. I am an addict and hooked for life, but I want you to also know how much many of us value this resource and the steps we take to ensure that it is protected. Please make sure that you have the proper items as mentioned above if you do end up going.

Tony

[10,000 Casts]

Great Post Tony.

[jalberg]

Yeah, we will have all those things with us. At what water temp would you recommend not fishing for them? I've been seeing surface water temps in the low to mid 80's lately. Honestly, I'm not sure what lake we will be on.

[jalberg]

releasing fish in the best condition possible is a priority for me. I will probably pinch down the barbs on anything with a treble hook, or is that a bad idea?

[Nick Kuhn]

There's no clear cut water temperature, but frankly at 80 degrees they seem to stop biting anyway so it's what most people use as a cutoff. If you do go out I'd try from just before sunrise to about 9am. The lake will be it's coolest then and there won't be much traffic to bother you. But with warm water combined with what has been the worst fishing year out of the past several and my expectations would be set extremely low. Carry the bass gear with so you at least get some action.

[jalberg]

Thanks for the advise. May try for muskies early and then after striking out switch to bass.

[asteffes]

So what lakes are you considering?

[jwmiller33]

We will be in the SW metro area.

FWIW, Minnetonka and Waconia would be good, well-known muskie lakes to try in the SW Metro.

[jalberg]

I was considering waconia or maybe independence and one or two smaller ones.

[asteffes]

Waconia and Independence both have very high water temps right now....mid 80's for sure. You have the right to fish them, but I encourage you to consider waiting a week or two til water temps improve.

Smaller lakes? I hope you are referring to Wasserman, Piersons, or another Tiger Muskie water in the area. Do not go to Lake Rebecca - that is a brood stocking lake and we cannot put heavy stress on those fish right now. Temps out there have to be mid to upper 80's, haven't been there, but I know it is very small and heats up fast.

Let me know where you decide to go.

[jalberg]

we ended up just bass fishing. we are going to wait a while to target muskies.

[Nick Kuhn]

The metro will still be warm this weekend, but if you can escape to the north there should be some water back into the mid 70's.

[FutbolGuru]

I remember my first time, jk. I don't, but couldn't resist. If you have the net and hook cutters go out and start chucking. You'll learn the good spots quickly just like you would fishing any other species. I'd recommend a walk the dog topwater and then a good bucktail or spinner... You can't go wrong with either. Persistence pays off in this sport - keep in mind it's more like deer hunting and less like bass fishing, if that makes sense lol. Just fish, fish, and fish some more... and you'll get your musky.

[workin4bait]

I was on Waconia Friday water temp 81-82 degrees in the morning.There were about 10 boats fishing muskies,I was fishing bass. Somebody should have told the 45 inch muskie that ate my Rattle Rap that I did not really want to play with her.Short fight on 30 pound Power Pro taped her in the water and popped the hooks and away she went.Yes, it was my personal best,but I will get a photo of a bigger one someday.

[50inchpig]

you set a good example - it's tough to let that first one go without a pic, especially your PB as it was, but it sure feels good watching the swim away