Line Size

[thewalleyeguy]

I got into musky fishing last year. I have 30lb dacron line but was wondering if I should by some bigger stuff . What do you guys think .

[Random guy]

I have found that 65lb super braids work best for me. The line diameter is small enough to cast easy and it still handles well while offering the strength and abrasion resistance needed for battling some of those beasts.

I used 85lb for awhile and had trouble with casting distance and it would not relax enough to to work walk the dog baits or glide baits.

[Cooter]

I'd scrap the idea of bigger dacron. I remember using 45 lb Cortland and you'd be down to the end of the spool on a long cast cuz its so thick. I myself am an 80 and 100 lb superline guy, I like the slightly larger diameter to help prevent it from burying itself in the spool.

40lb or so mono is a third option, good for trolling as it grips well in the clips on planer boards and provides a little stretch if trolling short in the prop wash.

[Random guy]

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good for trolling as it grips well in the clips on planer boards and provides a little stretch if trolling short in the prop wash.

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Yup you ARE from Wisconsin!

[cjac]

I go with 80 lb test Power Pro on most of my set ups, as I'm not as skilled as some of these guys and like to avoid the spool bury as well. I do have the 65 on a bucktail set up, and I like it.

65 is plenty strong enough, I just feel a little better with the 80.

[Stratosman]

I like to run 80lb PP on the jerk bait rods and 60lb on the bucktail and topwater rigs. I think 60 all around would be just fine too though, Have never had a break off on either as of yet. But with the number of ski's I boated last year that's not saying much.

[Random guy]

Try this to stop the dig ins.

This is what I do, it's little odd but works great. When I spool up I purposely over fill the spool. Then I tie one end off to a tree or pick-up then walk out the spool until its empty. Once you have an empty spool crank up the drag and start walking back to the tree while reeling, just like fighting a fish all the way back. This will put the base down super tight and the backlashes won't dig in very bad if at all.

[Cooter]

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This is what I do, it's little odd

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Hmmmm...imagine that

BTW - The tree/truck deal and pretending to fight a fish, thats what I do during the slow periods - along with hollering, "Get the NET!!! I got GIRTHA!!!" Freaks the neighbors right out.

[Random guy]

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The tree/truck deal and pretending to fight a fish, thats what I do during the slow periods - along with hollering, "Get the NET.

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How do you think I came onto that trick?

[cjac]

Yes, this will surely impress the neighbors!!! I think they are still amused by me from having the headlamp on and being out in the yard picking up the labrador landmines a couple nights ago!

Watching me reel in my truck will surely convince them I've gone off my rocker!

[pisces]

Here's a somewhat related question: I'm just getting serious about Muskies, and since Walk-the-dog is one of my fortes for bass, I intend to use it a lot for Skis. Now,the question: Do you use a wire leader or tie line directly to lure? If leader, do you still get the correct action? If no leader, do you break/get bit off? (Assume 80lb. PowerPro)

[Random guy]

I always always always use a leader. I went through a no leader phase years ago that cost me some fish and some lures. I now use all florocarbon leaders and I don't have any trouble with the action. Although I do have walk the dog or glide baits foul up in the lures hooks from time to time. I know many anlgers use solid wire on walk the dog baits or glide baits to prevent this. Personaly I will deal with the lure tangling from to time to instead of running wire leaders. I think wire leaders do retard the action of a walk the dog bait enough to make a difference in the action and a wire leader can create enough weight to mess up the touchy swim style of some glide baits.

[Muskie_Man]

Jon right about the line thing. It works for me but with out the ( GET THE NET ) in the back yard!!!! try it He know's his stuff!!

[Random guy]

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with out the ( GET THE NET ) in the back yard!!!!

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You have to yell for the net and cuss out the fish while stating things like "Come on get **** out of those weeds!" "No not the trolling motor, get the **** away from the trolling motor you stupid fish!"...this not only gets you ready in the off season for the real deal but the neighbors will stop asking to borrow tools or even come close to your grass after witnessing this a couple of times.

[MuskyNutz]

Jon's absolutely right....always use a leader. Now, I too went through my "jon phase" where I only used fluorocarbon and previously mono leaders. It is tuff to find a happy medium, but if there is one, it would be titanium leaders. They are more flexible than wire, lighter than wire and nearly impossible to kink unlike wire! I run many of my glide baits on these now and notice very little performance loss. It's a toss up 6 of one 1/2 dozen the other. However, I must admit I do have one fluorocarbon tied up and in the boat all year it's a must have if you jig for skies at all. As you are just starting to get serious about muskying spend the extra few bucks and buy titanium for a good all purpose leader. It will pay for itself cast after cast. Like anything it comes down to personal preference and what you get accustomed to. Good luck.

"Catch and Release fishing is a lot like golf. You don't have to eat the ball to have a good time."