Starting Out

[iceman1212]

I was thinking about giving musky fishing a shot this summer, and I dont really know what to use like should I get a open face reel or a bait caster for casting??? Any tips would be appreciated!!! Thanks

[Grant Pearson]

Baitcasit is the way to go. You're going to be able to control the fish better with baitcasters, and you'll be able to cast the lures better and farther. My suggestion is for a starting out combo would be an ambassador 6500 C3 sitting on a shimano compre or Shimano convergence rod. The setup will set you back around $200, but is worth the money, and it will last you a while. I use mine for muskies, pike during mid summer to late fall, and catfishing. I've had my set up for a few years and have yet to have a problem with it.

[Grant Pearson]

by the way, welcome to FM

[Nick Kuhn]

Baitcasit is the way to go. You're going to be able to control the fish better with baitcasters, and you'll be able to cast the lures better and farther. My suggestion is for a starting out combo would be an ambassador 6500 C3 sitting on a shimano compre or Shimano convergence rod. The setup will set you back around $200, but is worth the money, and it will last you a while. I use mine for muskies, pike during mid summer to late fall, and catfishing. I've had my set up for a few years and have yet to have a problem with it.

A 6500/convergence combo will run closer to $200 after you spool it with line and tack on the leaders (and tax). On a compre it'll be about $30-$40 more. Lures are another thing altogether. I just picked up a 6501c3 and put it on a 7'6" H convergence (some of us just bought a new vehicle and need to save a few bucks whenever possible). The compre is definitely a nicer rod, but the convergence handles things well (already tested it). DC10's are a load for the rig though, you probably won't want to throw those for long on this sort of rig.

[Grant Pearson]

agree with you on that Vahn. My next rod will be a compre, but I figured I'd throw out something that was reasonably priced, yet still better quality.

[HugoBox]

Welcome to the HSOforum - the guys and gals on here know their stuff. I'm not much for telling anyone what they should do, but I have learned plenty of what not to do by my own mistakes. The one thing I'd say is to not go out and buy a bunch of lures that are pretty to you without a bit of research. A few years ago I stocked up and tried to do it all at once. That was a mistake - based on the lake you fish and how you fish it you may be able to get away with very few baits to get started. Fishing with more experieced guys and seeing how they fish lures will teach you alot as well. I still need to do that - anything I know I've either learned on the water or here.

Good luck.

[Grant Pearson]

good info hugo. Most of the stuff I've learned to has been trial and error. That, in my opinion, is one of the best teachers. As far as lures go, bucktails in black/orange, white, and firetiger/perch are some good starters. Also, jerkbaits are also a good idea. I had luck last year on x-raps. Daredevels in 5 of diamonds are also a good bet. Try to get them in sizes of an ounce to ounce and a half. You'll get some pike thrown in when fishing the 5 of diamonds, but they work.

[sbro73]

Don't overlook how you're going to release the the fish, once it has been caught. Good cutters, I prefer Knipex, but there are others around, jaw spreader, hookouts, and maybe a protective glove, can help !!!

[RuKiddingMe]

DO NOT do it... Save yourself the friends, the money, the frustration, the time, and did I mention the frustration...

Really though all good info here, and release tools along with the net are just as important as the Rod Reel and CowGirls...

good luck, and don't say you weren't forewarned...

RU

[Scoot]

I'd suggest a Maina combo- affordable and a great product for the money.

Get release tools- a bolt cutter, needle nose pliers, jaw spreader, and big ol' net. Don't skip any of these- they're super important.

Buy six lures- no more. I would get the following, but the specific ones you get aren't that important- you just need to cover the water column from high to low. One inline bucktail (Harasser), one pop-pop topwater (Topwalker or Topraider), an 8 or 10 inch Believer, a 9 inch weighted Suick, a heavy Raddog spinnerbait, and a Shallow Invader. DON'T buy more than that! I guarentee you can catch plenty of muskies on just that. If I didn't use anything besides those lures, I'd likely catch no fewer than I currently do.

[iceman1212]

Thanks for the tips! What do you guys think about the rod length? Anyone have good luck with the muskie innovations heli dawg or the cowgirls?

[Grant Pearson]

I like my rods to be a minimum of 7 feet, 7'6 is better for me.

[Rebel9921]

Thinking about it??? Well... get OUT before it gets worse for you ... all the kidding aside... welcome to the group!!!

First thing... get all the safety and release tools such as hook pick, knipex cutters, good large net, etc etc...

Second of all... get one or two good rods... Shimano Compres would be a great choice... same goes for Reaction Strike rods... reasonably priced... I'd suggest that you start with 7'6 or longer... an all-around 8'0 MH or H rod would be a good start...

Third... getting a reel... really depends on what lures you are planning on throwing... If you plan on throwing Double Bladed 8's, Suicks, Hellhounds, etc etc, Abu Garcia 6500 would suffice... You could go down the Shimano path... but why pay whole lot bucks when you arent sure if you'll become addicted... If you plan to include Double Blades 10 or Mag Bulldawgs (or something like that), I'd suggest that you get Abu Garcia 7000iC3... I used three Abu Garcia 6600C3's last year and I threw out Double Cowgirls 90% of the time... end result??? 2 reels BURNED OUT after 3 months of use... they were BRAND NEW... Im switching over to Abu Garcia 7000iC3 for heavy bucktails this year...

Fourth... Line... I wouldnt think of suggesting anything less than 80# superbraids... Cortland Bronzeback or Tuf Line XP would be an excellent choice... I started with PowerPro... and switched over to Tuf Line XP halfway thru the season last year and liked it much better... People are also suggesting Sufix... I havent tried that line so I cant say...

Fifth... Lures... Scoot covered this wonderful... but I'd suggest that you add either a double showgirl or a double cowgirl... this depends on what kind of reel you choose to get... Good place to start regarding those lures would be several online stores that carry lures... AWH would be an excellent person to talk to about this as his advices has really helped me in some dark times... Pat Smith of Thorne Bros comes highly recommended too...

Just one word of warning... with this addiction comes a HEFTY price to pay... none of those are cheap... and theres no cure for this... Good luck in 2008!!!

[iceman1212]

Where can I find or purchase those double showgirls? Who makes those?

[Nick Kuhn]

They're made by Muskie Mayhem, Thorne Bros will have them, I've seen them at Cabela's. I've seen them elsewhere I'm just not sure where.

[Rebel9921]

Dang I knew I forgot something when I posted that post last nite... I forgot the leaders... there are plenty quality leaders but it seems like many are doing the switch to fluoro.... I currently only fish with 130# leaders that I make myself... Stealth makes excellent fluoro leaders and comes highly recommended...

Vahn's correct... Musky Mayhem makes dbl showgirls and dbl cowgirls... they are basically bucktails with two blades and flashabou for materials... Thorne Bros carries them but they're not the ONLY dealer... Like I said yesterday... talk with AWH... he'll help you out BIG TIME!!!

[ole matty]

My opinions may not be matter here. But I was once like you. My first season for muskie I bought harasser, meeps, musky killer, jake*minowbait*, squirrley burt, lil doc, rad dog and I use 6500c3 and guide series rod. I finally caught my first one on rad dog last summer n got addicted to it so i upgrade my tackles box from 12 lures to 45-50 lures and bought 2 more rods n reels. So I recommend u to go low at first n see if u really like fishin muskie unless ur a multi species fisherman like me. I wld say spend less than 300-500 for starters. But like everyone say its addicted n there's no cure for it! Happy fishing!

[Rebel9921]

Matty... sorry but you're mistaken... your opinion does matter here... Never can have too many opinions/feedbacks for someone to consider...

[Grant Pearson]

Where can I find or purchase those double showgirls? Who makes those?

I think Joe's on Rice street might have some.

[RF23]

Everyone has given you some good advice so far. The thing that I would recommend is to buy a long rod. I prefer anything over 8'. I find that the longer rods make casting easier and the figure 8 more effective as you can go deeper and wider. Good luck!