New to the elusive muskie, what are some suggestions?

[Trany]

I have gone fishing for muskie's with no sucsess. I don't have the gear or skill. I am going to buy a 7'6" MH-H action rod, and have been looking but only find rods that are stamped to 20-30# test, I think there was an Ugly Stick Big fish rod or something that cam the closest to what I am looking for. Also the reel is another hard find, I have looked a Abu Garcia and only found them to be capable of 20# range and 200 yds. What would a good rod and reel combo to handel 50#+ test. I know that 7'6" is about as long a stick that I want, and still have the versatility to toss long and use some nice spinners.

[RuKiddingMe]

If I were you looking to get into Musky fishing and needed to start getting equipted I would go to Gander Mountain or Throne Brothers and pick up.

- Musky Rod - 6'9 to 8'0 MH or H 20-30# Line Weight is right on. (Gander Mountain Guide Series Rods are nice and inexpensive)

- Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3 Spooled with 80# Power Pro or Tuff Super Braid lines

- Back the reel with 8-17# mono and Spool the rest with a little over 100 yards of Super Braid.

- Pick up a few lures and hit the water.

- Don't forget the release tools, jaw spreader, bolt cutters, long needle nose pliers, and a big game net. (Without the proper release tools your first musky can be damging to both you and the fish.)

RU

If I forgot anything, I'm other on this site will point it out.

[Trailblazer]

Tranny - all good ideas, and I'll expand slightly.

If you extra cash:

1) St Croix 7'2" Premier Series rod, rated for lures 1/2 oz to 2oz. Great all around rod at around $120.00. My favorite stick!
2) Reels. 6500C3 is OK. I prefer a Thumbar, therfore I go with the samler ABU reels, the C5 Mag is a SMOOTH reel.
3) Line - Power Pro 80lb
4) And yes, the tools...get 'em all, Please! The Frabill Big Kahuna net, Baker Hook Cutters, hook remover, pliers, gloves, etc.....

You are getting into a sport that costs alot of $$$$$$......Please practice C&R and good Luck on the water! Join a local muskies chapter as well!

[Trany]

Thanks, Are there any rods rated in 1.5 oz -3oz range? I love my new St Croix PS66MF a find Chrismas gift, I broke it in with a carp yumm carp. I have read a post by superfish reguarding backlash, and can that be avoided by the spooling process, or is it mostly dependant on reel drag?

[Scoot]

Spooling process can be a big deal if you are talking about spinning reels. If you overspool a baitcaster you'll also have problems. I try keep the line tight when I spool up and I've not had problems with baitcasters (other than if they're overspooled.) Anyone care to add anything to this?

[delmuts]

i'll try ! line tension on the spool is one problem; many times backlashes are caused by not having the tension adjusted right, or not educating your thumb.also ; don't fill your spool more than slightly below the top of the spool. this can cause problems too. also when casting pay attenton to if you are throwing into a wind. this can cause a lure to float in the air and give you problems. many reels now have a tension adjustment plus a magnetic adjustment. once you have the tenson right for your lure, then play with the mag. one . use the higher settings while you are learning or casting into a wind. as you get better at casting you can lessen(?) it and get more distance! hope this helps! del

[LocalGuide]

How do you guys fish suicks? When I cast it out on a tightly spooled reel I can really whip it. But when I jerk it back to the boat the line is not very tight on the spool, thus the next cast is a nice *snap* and lure goes 20'.
Any way in which I can stop a backlash on every other cast?

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[Trany]

Thanks for all the help here guys, I am now equiped with a fine 6500C3 reel and a nice StCroix PC610HMF rod. I am nof set for the opener, good luck to everyone.

[RuKiddingMe]

Trany,

Looks like you got all you need, nice choices on the rod and reel... I hope you didn't forget the most important stuff--- landing and releasing tools.. Good luck this weekend.

RU

[This message has been edited by RuKiddingMe (edited 06-04-2004).]

[Trany]

I have the shad raps for my norther fishing, but I did buy a red and black buck tail, a chartruse and black buck tail and a super top raider. I have use of my buddys box as well, but, I have yet to find a giant jackpot at gander? I was at the one in lakeville, I looked in all the fishing dept. yet I have either missed it or it is not stocked there.

[Trany]

I covered with the nets, spreaders, clamps, forceps and hook cutters. We will be a moble fish medicat center. Now its time to go load up on some buck tails.

[Guest]

Let me make a suggestion on tackle

Pick 5 baits each of the 4 primary catagories and start from there.

5 bucktails
5 top water
5 jerks
5 cranks

Bucktails: There are many manufactures. Pick 5 colors and find different sizes and blade types of the total 5.

Top water: Can't go wrong with a Top Raider. Simple, great, effective, good hooking percentage lure. Couple of jackpots and docs

Jerks: The famous Suick is a tried and true jerk. It has accounted for most of the jerk bait muskies. I would go with 3 colors, then get a burt and a reef hawg.

Cranks: Ernie, Jake, Super Shad Rap. Pick 5 colors of those lures and take one small and one large type lure.

What is most important is picking a lure that has a good history of hooking percentages. Honestly, the jackpot and doc have the worst hooking percentages of any of the lures I mentioned, but they do make alot of activity for connecting with fish..

Good luck and happy hunting!

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Let 'em go so they can grow!!!

[Chad711]

Headed to Canada for my first Muskie, I hope! Moosehorn Lodge... Stoked