Fighting acrobatic muskies

[Scoot]

How do people deal with jumping muskies when they are on your line? Tarpon fisherman advocate "bowing to the fish". Meaning- when the fish jumps, lean forward and allow your line to stay limp when the fish is in the air. When the fish hits the water, lean back and take the slack out of the line immediately. Is this how one should deal with a jumping muskie or should I try keep the line tight all the time? The mantra we've all heard is "never let there be slack in your line", but I'm not sure that applies to a jumping fish.
Thoughts???

------------------
Scoot

So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

[Esoxmn]

I would say keep your rod tip down and keep tension on the line. When they jump they shake their heads. If you have slack line, bye bye.

[RK]

Ahh just let 'em jump - that's half the fun

Most memorable fish I had all last season was a wild leaper on Mille Lacs. Big fish way at the end of a cast that cartwheeled like you can't believe, and threw the bucktail in the process. One of those deals where if I had to lose the fish to get that jump, it was worth it.

When they're at the end of a cast there isn't a lot you can do about it when they jump. The idea of bowing to the fish comes from tarpon fishing I think, where they tell you to 'bow to the king.' I don't know if I agree with it or not when it comes to muskies though. With big, heavy muskie baits, the slack line just gives them more opportunity to flop the bait around and let the lure knock itself out. To me having a longer softer rod and keeping the line tight probably does more good.

With fish that are closer to the boat, you can usually keep them in the water by jamming your rod into the water to knock their head back down. Sometimes have to go in to the reel seat, but it usually works.

I'm only half kidding about letting them jump though. They get off or they don't, but the leaps sure are cool

RK

[Scoot]

RK,

The leaps are definitely cool. This summer a big fish took a surface lure about 10 yards from the boat. It half-left the water and shook it's head. This threw the lure COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP OF THE BOAT and it landed about 5 yards on the other side of the boat! It was really cool. That being said, it would have been cool to land that fish- she was a bruiser.

------------------
Scoot

So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

[David Swenson]

Keep your line tight. There is no time for kneeling, bowing, or any other fancy move. Just keep the pressure on by reeling or pulling back your rod.

David Swenson
http://muskieguide.homestead.com/
Lund Pro Staff

[Guest]

When they surface like that, or leap is when I put the wood to them. I'll horse them hard at that time. For whatever the reason, I've yet to loose a fish that way.

If you give her slack line.....9 out of 10, she'll spit the lure........guarenteed.

I'm 6'7" and I primarily use 7 to 7.5 foot rods. It gives me the leverage that I need.

My most memorable moment was watching my buddy run up the gunnel of one side of his Lund, around the bow, and down the other gunnel. He never missed a step, didn't break anything, and battled a 50 incher that was tail dancing up one side of the boat, around the bow, and down the other side. It happened so fast, I laughed my butt off. The fish wasn't going to give up, but he maintained a tight line and boated it. To this day, I'm still impressed with his footwork.

Point is, when you got a good hook set and the right equipment, horse those fish. When you do, you will find out they are not quite as strong as you think they are. They tire very fast, so boat them fast and get them back!

Good luck!

------------------
Let 'em go so they can grow!!!

[AWH]

Nothing much to add to what's already been said. When they jump it's awesome until they throw the hooks. So when I sense that they're about to jump I'll put my rod tip down, sometimes down into the water. Sometimes it keeps them from jumping, sometimes it doesn't. But I always keep a tight line when they start to fly.

AWH

[guideman]

I'm with Big G on this one, that is why we use heavy tackle. Stick it to em and make them dance to your tune.

------------------

Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
Muskies and More.
Pro Staff Member.
Catch-n Tackle.
CKat Custom Muskie rods.
Bearpaws Handpoured Baits
Ohio Pro Lure.
Muskie Nut Tackle.
Big Chimney Muskie Baits.
Marcum.