New to the hunt

[Bunger]

I am giving Muskie hunting a shot this year. I recently purchased my ra St. Croix 7'6" MH Triumph paired with a abu garcia 6601c4. I am starting to look at lures the rod is rated for 3/4-3oz. My question is how crucial is it to stay within those limits? Seems most of the plastic baits are really heavy. Any information would be appreciated.

[ammoman16]

You'll be able to throw heavier baits, it will just be more difficult and may require you to tone down some of your casts a little. If heavier baits are going to be the norm, you'll definitely want to add a heavier rod to the arsenal. What you have should get you started and let you figure out if this is something you want to get more involved in.

[Esox_Magnum]

Get the proper tools to land and release, coated muskie net, Nipex hook cutters, good long needlenose...Myself I dont own a rod under a H action most are XH or XXH, my H is an 8'3 rest are all 9', never found a need for a MH action personaly...

[Shawn Kellett]

Check out the Muskie Inc chapter in your area and they can help you get on the right track as well. It's also a great way to network with others who may also take you out and show you the ropes. Muskie fishing is hard enough without trying to figure it all out on your own.

[Jmeyers]

Bunger... I just got a cabin up in Bemidji and was up there most weekends towards the end of the summer. I talked to a member of the Muskie Inc. Bemidji chapter during the banquet down here and we talked about taking a bunch of trips to Cass, Winni and lake Bemidji this coming season if you are interested.

Also, I could always use a musky partner up there as I don't know many other anglers yet. I got all the gear you'd need and can try out to see if it's something you'd like, plus it would be great to fish someone that knows the area somewhat.

[thrax]

Bunger and Jmeyers - I'm the secretary of the local chapter up here in Bemidji. Would love to touch base with both of you, we'd be happy to help both of you in any way that we can. We always have open seats in boats and have some very good experienced anglers in the club who are more than willing to spend some time on the area lakes with you, sharing tips/tactics/spots - all of it. Jmeyers - were you at the Twin Cities banquet or the North Metro banquet? You would have met Ethan at the Twin Cities, or could have met he or I at the North Metro banquet. Either way, glad you made a connection with us, give us a call. Brian Johnson. You can always check out our club HSOforum to get ahold of us.

[Bunger]

Thanks for the info guys and Jmeyers not going to lie to you I'm pretty green to this area myself but my GPS knows its way around pretty good. I have fished Lake Bemidji, Plantagenet, Little Wolf, and Grant in this area.

[KING]

I would stay with lures within the limitations of the rod / reel you have. There are a ton of great baits that you can catch fish on in your area with that set up.

The C4 is a 6.3:1 ratio and you will find some difficulty cranking bigger baits with that, but is great for minow baits, jerkbaits etc...anything you are primarily using the rod to move the bait. I used a 6601 C4 exclusively for my "suick" rod for years.

I honestly recommend to any newer musky guys to start off small, you dont have to throw big all day to get fish.

if you don't have -- invest next in ALL of the release tools.

then once you get some time under your belt you can look at upgrading your equipment to throw bigger stuff. I use an 9'3 okuma xh and a abu 700i red which is a pretty cheap set up and really like it for the bigger stuff and has been bullet proof. I Use Revo's now on everything else.

[50inchpig]

heroin addiction would be a cheaper hobby and cause you less mental anguish in the end, but if you do want to fish muskies then joining MI is the best thing you can do. you'll make friends and learn so much your first few years you won't believe it. i joined the day after i moved up to minnesota and you'll get so much more out of it than you put in you'll be surprised.

you're also in heaven as far as musky fishing is concerned. so many nice lakes around bemidji and no fish are prettier than those big slob spotties up there.

[Musky Buck]

Hey Bunger just a few words of advice if you fish Big up there pack heat. Those are words of advice for all of you guys. If you have a lot of familiarity to the area you already are loaded up, you are at their mercy at the landing if you don't. Don't expect a quick response from LE. I don't want your fun day on the water to turn south on ya in a hurry as a good friend couldn't get off the lake one night. There's a few other spots thinking Andrusia etc. be very careful everybody.

[cbrooks]

Hey Bunger just a few words of advice if you fish Big up there pack heat. Those are words of advice for all of you guys. If you have a lot of familiarity to the area you already are loaded up, you are at their mercy at the landing if you don't. Don't expect a quick response from LE. I don't want your fun day on the water to turn south on ya in a hurry as a good friend couldn't get off the lake one night. There's a few other spots thinking Andrusia etc. be very careful everybody.

What are you saying Muskybuck. I fish up there all the time. Never had any trouble