Hypothetically speaking...

[Guest]

Here's an imaginary situation, which I hope nobody ever has to actually face, for all you seasoned muskie hunters out there. I'm hoping it will result in some useful startup tips for newbies (including myself), and some interesting discussion among the experts.

You have a week of mid-season muskie hunting on your favorite lake in the Bemidji/Cass Lake/ Walker area planned. Your lodging is reserved and paid for and your vacation time from work has been approved. With your work schedule and family stuff, this will probably be your last trip this season. Two weeks before you're going to leave, some dirty lowlife breaks in and steals all your tackle. Your boat is in the shop getting a new prop (need to mark those reefs better for night fishing!), so your electronics are safe, but all your rods, reels, tackleboxes, lures- gone. Your insurance may or may not pay for the loss, but you won't have a decision from them until after you return from your trip. So, here's your problem. You have only $200 to spend on tackle. You'll be able to replace the good stuff by next season, but not in time for this trip. What do you buy? How would it change your plan if you had $300 to spend- more gear or better quality? Just to keep things fair, no borrowing from buddies or stumbling across a Calcutta TE for five bucks at a garage sale. And no factory sponsorships- retail only. Any takers?

[Guest]

Hypothetically speaking, I'd be [PoorWordUsage]ed! Well, you can't go fishing without a rod and reel. With only $200 to spend, go for a combo that costs 150ish and then 50 for tackle. A few bucktails of your fav colors, some crankbaits and some top water...gotta love watching them explode! Sometimes, smaller is better, so don't be afraid to go smaller. We caught one the other night and it coughed up a 2 inch perch. So while they like big things, little can go a long way too. If you like live bait, you could spend more on the rod and reel combo. then you catch your 60lb muskie...catch the little turd and put them in a very small pool!

[DUCKJ]

abu reel 6500 c3 = 75.00
decent rod to get by = 50.00
blk/slv, blk/org, wht/slv bucktails = 24.00
blk/slv poes = 13.00
tan, blk reef hawgs = 26.00
80 lb tuff line = 15.00
total = 203.00 plus tax
if it has to be under 200.00 get cheeper buck tails.
happy hunting
duck

[Guest]

Spend $100 on rod and reel and $100 on lures and lines.

[Biggestfish]

I think Willy and DUCK have it down pretty good. Myself and a buddy of mine were just talking about this the other day and we too figured that $150 to $200 (depending on the Rod and Real) is the least amount of money a person could spend and still go muskie fishing....We figured this a Fleet Farm prices.

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Just Having Fun!
Love to Fish.