Good Musky Book?

[TMF89]

Any tips out there on a good book to teach one the finer points of musky fishing? As stated in another post, I know the basics, and a lot more, but I know far from everything, so I'm looking for a book that would be able to help me out. Any tips? Thanks guys.

[Rebel9921]

No offense but that would be like trying to learn tae-kwon-do via a book too... You'd have to get MANY different books because theres some things that would work for one person but not for others, etc etc... Thats why we have this forum, thats why we have guides, thats why we have get-togethers... everybody shares tips, tries something new... it works great it doesnt oh well theres 10,000 other hints out there to try... and most importantly... you wont learn as much as you would via trial n error....

[TMF89]

Well of course, but I'd rather have a two or three hundred page book, then asking a few dozen individual questions about the fish here. I don't even know what to ask yet, because I don't know what I don't know, if that makes sense. I know what you mean though, thanks

[Rebel9921]

at first it wont make sense, but eventually it will.. and you also get to know the regulars thru their postings... as far as I know... we do have few celebrities: Jon Pink, RK, CFAC, Steve Jonesi to name a few.... you'll enjoy it as much as I did... so keep hitting that shift and mouse key over n over... I did go back as far as 2005... full of info... probably couldnt get all that into one book...

[TMF89]

I know we have some good guys here, but again, I don't even know what information I should ask about, because I don't know enough about the musky. I'm looking for a book that'll tell me the basics, so I can ask more specific questions here, instead of annoying everybody with a dozen questions a day.

[Random guy]

"You can buy him books and buy him books but all he does is chew on the corners" Thats what they always said about me anyways.

Trouble with all those books is you have to sit inside and read them...in your house...not on the water...over muskies.

Now I know several good musky guides that are sitting on the water over the muskies everyday that are ready to answer any questions you may have from rods/reels, leaders and even why muskies make poeple go crazy. You will learn ten books worth of stuff in a day or two with a guide, and you get to go fishing! Not to mention it cost about as much as all those books.

Take a look at the guide locator on this site or look up guys like (about to hack some names, sorry boys)Steve Jonesi, Lee Tauchen, Fathead Guide Service, Tim Anderson etc etc. That way you can see the gear in use first hand, ask questions about this and that, even use the guides gear before you buy your own. Plus it will shed years off the learning curve by fishing with someone that does it for a living.

[MUSKY18]

Yes guides are the way to go, however, not all people are in the proper location to hire a guide and books are all they have until they can. I would never discourage anyone from reading books, magazines, or any other printed material, or watching DVD's. It is sad to see when a person asks for some information and is basically chastised. If you aren't going to offer help, don't post. That being said....you want to learn how to fish a shield, go out and get Dick Pearson's book. Jim Saric and Steve Heiting have also written a very good book, little more on the basic side, but good.

[MJBo]

Muskies on the Shield is a great book (Pearson). I've never fished with a guide and I'm doing fine. THey're just fish and its not as hard as people try to make you think. Get a large spinnerbait and a decent baitcaster spooled with heavy line and start casting on a good lake. If you fish it they will come. Don't be intimidated.

[harvey lee]

I would take a look and do a search for more info on this page and you should find all the answers to your questions. A book would also work. Another option as stated above is to hire a guide for a day on a muskie lake. You will learn alot and have fun at the same time if money isnt a issue.

Also, dont be afraid to ask questions, as they will be answered. Good luck.

[Muskycrazy]

I have one book and it is The Freshwater Angler - Northern Pike & Musky . Its more of a text for habitat , different type of water , etc. . I read it once a year for a refresher . I have found most of the other books to not be very helpful and self serving to the author . One guy said just go fish and that probably is the best advice . Get one of those Musky lake books , they usually have tips and whatnot in them , pick a lake and hit it . Just like any other type of fishing ya gotta pay your dues and that comes from experience . Good luck .

[MJBo]

Yeah, thats a great point. The metro lakes musky guide is pretty handy. It has kind of crappy topo maps and points out many of the obvious structures. More than anything it will probably help you validate your instincts and give you confidence, but it has some pretty good tips as well.... they have em at the wal-mart by my house.

[Scoot]

"Muskies on the Shield" is excellent. Heiting and Saric have an excellent editted book too- "The Complete Guide to Muskie Hunting". I'd suggest reading the Heiting and Saric book first (pretty basic, but very informative), then reading Pearson's "Muskies on the Shield". I think these books will steepen the learning curve dramatically if you're starting from scratch.

After that, I totally agree with what's been said above- 1) use this forum for all of your questions (lots of very knowledgable dudes here), 2) hire a guide if you can (do research and find out which one will provide the best learning experience), and 3) get your butt out on the water and fish (no better way to learn and have fun doing it).