Why am I addicted???

[crappie jigga]

I've fished muskies MAYBE 8 times in my life..
I've never seen a confirmed muskie follow, pike (yes), muskie (not positive).
I've casted a (10lb) lure, ATLEAST 10,000 times!!
I've spent alot of time and money on these trips, w/nothing to show for it!!!
After these trips I've ended up being, sun burned, sweaty, stinky, exhausted, frustrated, madder than a wet hen, and moneyless.......
Now, someone please explain to me why I can't wait to get back up north to do this again? I read all the muskie posts, I even subscribed to the magizine (Musky Hunter)..
I just can't quit thinking about it, the worst part is, I really don't know much about muskies at all...
What I do know is, whenever I read a post about a 48" or a 52" musky being caught, I grab my tape measure, extend it to those measurements and just sit in amazement....
That's just crazy.... I would mess myself if I got to see something that big...
Well, maybe this year....
Just had to get that off my chest....

If anyone has a sugestion(s) on a favorite lure/structure or anything that might help me see/catch one of these piggy's.. I'm willing to listen..

Thanks and have a great day on the water....

[RuKiddingMe]

Keep your head up, all your questions will be answered with the first Muskie you put in the boat. Get yourslef a Sportsmans Connection Minnesota Muskie Map and go from there. I too put a lot of time in before I hooked up, the frustration, the money, and the time just ate at me. Then that one day it happened, and I realized the sun shines on every dogs arse, for I finally broke the cherry and put one in the boat. It's funny how your sucess rate increases after that first one, you'll see.

RU

[minnesotamusky]

I feel the same way you do. I just started fishing for muskie last summer. I've only caught one small one. Only 32", but man was it fun. My cousin just caught a 51" on Lake Vermilion last weekend. I would say that I've spent over $1000 in the past four months just on muskie fishing stuff. I can't even enjoy fishing for anything else. All I ever think about now is muskie fishing. I see that your from Tyler. That's cool, I'm from Marshall. So where do you normally go muskie fishing? My brother and I have been to Lobster Lake twice this month. Have had about ten follows and I've had two nice fish on. But both got off. Last weekend I was casting a silver Dr. Spoon and a little 15" pike hit it right beside the boat. About a half second later, this huge muskie came from under the boat and attacked that pike. I tried to pull it out of the water, but I only got it about half way out and then it let go. It was a huge fish, I'm guessing close to 48". Well, let me know how you do. Maybe we could go muskie fishing sometime.

[Rino]

My first muskie came on the 8th cast trying for one it was ~16 Lb just a baby it hit a top water buzz bait at 3am in the morning on it's second attempt.We fished the rest of the day and saw ~6 follows but no takers. What a fun frustrating fish.

Catching that fish sure hooked me.

Rino

[brandon72000]

iam in the same boat i have had many encounters with seeing them follow may bait.1 i've casted till i felt my arm were going to fall off. even had a guided trip on mille lacs last weekend and still got no fish on the line. vary depressing but i still cannot wait to go do it again.

[DUCKJ]

If your just getting into musky fishing my advice to you is hire a guide. Yes this will cost you a little money (not so much if you and a buddie split the cost)but I asure you you will lurn alot in a short amount of time on the water(spots, lures, lure presentation, structure, ect). This will shorten the lurning curve and put more fish in the boat for you.

Happy Hunting
Duck

[Trailblazin]

Simply stick with it. Work weeds (inside and out), rocks, drop offs, etc... You have to hit all of these spots extensively!

Find the baitfish and you'll find Muskies.
Don;t be afraid to go REAL SHALLOW. Don't be afriad to throw top waters in 20,30 even 40 feet of water. I found a school of baitfish just popping on the surface last year in 40ft of water. I starting throwing a Top Raider, and WHAM - 46" Muskie. That was the first time I tried it. I heard it could be done,and it worked!

Lures - So many to choose from. Need a Top Raider, Bucktails/Spinnerbaits in Various sizes and colors ( I like all types), Crankbaits (Shallow Raiders, Cranes are great), Jerkbaits (Suicks, etc...)....

Colors - stick with the basics - Black, Black and more black. Vary the blade colors from Gold to Silver to Red, etc...
In addition to all of this, don't be afraid to throw something that looks whacky....I like the Pearson Pink and the Chartruese Grinder Spinnerbait. The Grim Reaper Bubblegum is another favorite. Firetiger colors can be deadly!

I could go on and on and on.......

Good Luck!

[crappie jigga]

We fished LOW 2 times, Cass lake 1 time, Miltona 3 times...
I had some small pike smoke my bucktail right at the edge of the boat, every time that happens I start screaming "MUSKY,MUSKY,MUSKY, Oh $h!+, it's just a pike" all that anticipation gets me wired up....
I guess that what keeps me coming back!

Lonewolf
I think my brother knows who you are n/s...
We might have to hook up sometime...

[fishing4fun]

Hey Crappie,
Are you in for a trip north this Sunday? I have to do some landscaping on sat. I sent you an email. My brother is in! Maybe we'll get you your first pig.

Remember if you don't go you won't catch one. I do like the way you cry about it though.