What should i do

[thewalleyeguy]

I was wondering what lures are good to start with . I won't be fishing for pike or muskies hardcore but I plan on getting out a good few times this summer . I will only be limited to about 40 lures .

[38poundbeauty]

There have been many posts regarding good "starting" lures to stock up on. Look in the archives.

[thewalleyeguy]

Oh yeah, waht's a weagle.

[38poundbeauty]

A topwater bait....a "walk the dog" type of lure. short quick twitches with the rod tip.

[jerk bait]

3 topwaters, one being a top raider, 3 bucktails, 3 jerk baits, 3 rubber baits, bulldawgs, and 3 crankbaits. If you have these lures it will be all you will need until you get the sickness and then you will have three large boxes full and only use the same three baits. Make sure you get some good leaders. You will also need a muskie sized net, jaw spreaders, large needle nosed pliers,a good hook cutter, and a tape measure to 60". Handle the fish carefully and get back in the water quickly.

[38poundbeauty]

Well said jerk bait! Try for no more than 30 seconds out of the water.

[Giant_Jackpot]

30 seconds out of the water? Try 15 or less. Get your camera ready before you lift the fish out of the water to minimize the time.

[Steve Foss]

I would add a couple spinnerbaits. There are times you want to get right in the weeds and these are good for that. I've talked to several guys who have hundreds of musky lures and only use 10 or 15.

[Smallmouth]

For my sons birthday this week - turning 13, does anyone have any suggestions for a starter musky rod/reel/combo's that anyone can suggest?

He CPR'd his first musky (31') last fall on Mille Lacs and has caught the fever!!!

Thanks in advance !

[Steve Foss]

Price range? It makes all the difference.

[Hugo]

Smallmouth,

I have 3 boys 19, 17 & 13 and started them all out with Gander Guide series rods and ABU reels. Still using the same stuff 5 years later. Can always upgrade if the kid gets into it in my opinion.

Hugo

[Random guy]

Quote:

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For my sons birthday this week - turning 13, does anyone have any suggestions for a starter musky rod/reel/combo's that anyone can suggest?

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Remember one thing when shopping for kids; smaller hands, shorter arms. Unless you have been feeding him Miracle Grow his hands won't fit the big reels, you don't want to over size and wear the young buck out making for a long day on the water. I would look at smaller yet tested and true reels that dad can also use from time to time like the 5500C3 from Abu. Good reel, fits smaller hands and is built the same as the 6500 only smaller.(plus it's priced right)

As for the rod look at something in the 6'3" -7' range with a MH action and a fast but flexible tip. This will help him to cast the baits a little easier with the shorter rod that he can handle. I have a couple of St. Croix’s in the 6'6" MH range that I use for jigging , nice thing about the Croix’s is the handles are a little smaller then other rods. Making it nice for those of us with small paws to handle. (These are priced decent also)

[Smallmouth]

Thanks Jon and Hugo,

Went with a 5500C3 from Abu with a Cabelas IM7 rod - MH. Thanks for the advice !! Now to pick out line and lures....