Got any advice on gear?

[mainbutter]

So I'm thinking of trying my hand at musky fishing. I'm going to have some opportunities this summer to get out on some Minnesota lakes, and some time up in Canada.

I've never used baitcasting reels for any serious cast/retrieval of lures before(though I have a little familiarity with them) and I hear that's the way to go. Any suggestions on a rod and reel for tossing around some of those musky lures?

Price is certainly something to consider, but then again I don't want to pay money for something that breaks the first time out.

Any other specific gear suggestions?

[Esox_Magnum]

Learn the proper way to hold and release the fish, get the proper release aids.As for rods and Reels, I'm partial to Shimano or Okums 400 series reels, on a good qulity muskie rod such as Thorne Bros, St Croix or G Loomis.

[b1gf1sh1]

your a beginner so i'd suggest starting with these. it sounds like you'll maybe be getting out more than a few times so medium quality is the ''least'' you want. here's my list

reel- Shimano Calcutta 400B or Diawa Luna

rod- Gander Mountain Guide Series IM8 MH fast action 7'6'' Musky Rod strung with 65# stren super braid.

A big net with thick hook-proof coating.

125 bucks minimum to start in lures and 100-200 more by years end. some tackle totes too. quality ballbearing swivel leaders.

a 10'' heavy duty needle nose with curved jaws, 10'' end cutters, release gloves, and a first aid kit. i miss something?

good luck.

[NCLaker]

It is a whole different ball game with musky fishing. Has raised the bar for spending compared to any other type of fishing I have done. Mostly it is the lures and having to buy musky sized catch/release tools.

If you can, get yourself a rod/reel combo, few lures, and go out with someone that has everythings else before you go crazy dumping a bunch of money into it.

I'm no expert, but it sounds like you won't be hitting it to hard starting out. I know the Abu 6500C3's aren't really popular with many of the guys that hit it pretty hard - but for the amount of use your talking, I would think that this reel and a gander rod plus 80# super line you could get a decent combo for $150-200. If you find you like it you can always upgrade/add more quality equipment.

I strongly recommend you do as much practice on the water with the baitcaster before you set out on your musky outing. Baitcasters are great, but can take a lots of practice before you get use to it with out haveing backlashes. You don't want to hit the water for a day of musky fishing only to have your reel get such a bad backlast that it cuts your day short.

Good Luck!

[JRedig]

I would encourage you to read through several pages of this forum thoroughly, it's kinda been beaten to death lately.

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

I've never used baitcasting reels for any serious cast/retrieval of lures before(though I have a little familiarity with them

best thing i know is read the instructions on how to adjust everything before casting. the reels i put down have a little better adjustments than cheaper stuff and makes the learning curve easier. my advice is at first, at least the first couple hundred times you cast, don't try and just zing it out there. you'll find out you don't get much from harder thrown casts anyway. the spool only goes so fast, and the angle a lure leaves the tip is more important than anything...later... keep the adjustments tighter than the instructions say if your having trouble with over-run (backlash) and always keep your thumb touching the spool. you'll lose some thumb prints so if you want to start a life of crime then is the time eventually you'll get it down and can start easing off on the thumb, easing up the brake and opening magnetics, which is a lot easier on the reel and it will thank you for it. the looser you can keep things the better for your reel. but that may take awhile. maybe not.

[smeese]

Suprisingly baitcasters are easier to use with the typical heavy weight musky lures then say a regular old rapala. With that weight on there even a light flick will send it flying. I was addicted very quickly and still have not caught, I had a strike on a top water once that I missed and that was enough to drive me through my next three times of getting skunked.

[Rebel9921]

I cannot stress onto you how IMPORTANT it is for you to have all the proper release tools such as proper-sized muskie net, Knipex bolt cutters (Any bolt cutters will do but none will last as long and perform as well as a pair of Knipex), 12" needlenose pliers, 8" needlenose pliers, hook-out, etc etc...

I have to admit that when I started out muskie fishing, my focus was mainly on gears such as rods/reels, lures, lines, and leaders... but as of now, I look back and I realize that I was an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly for not sharing some of the focus on all the required and important release tools... It took me more than 6 months before I realized, at the urging and advices of many contributors to this muskie forum, that the release tools are as equally important as your fishing arsenal... I felt much more confident going into my second year having adding those tools... Granted, I've only caught two muskies in my 2 years of fishing them, but I've been with others enough to see them being caught or following a lure back to the boat, including that "monster" I saw following Hugobox's prized Cowgirl one night, and I can say that today, I cringe at the improper handling techniques along with not having proper release tools that few has shown, but Im glad that I have gotten through few of those fews and changed their mind about having proper tools and learning about the proper release methods... keep in mind that I've learned the proper ways from most of them and realized the true value of being prepared from them too...

With a rod/reel and a lure, You can catch a muskie, but being inadequately prepared, what will you do if a muskie engulfs your lure and you'll be faced with knowing that if you had the proper tools, that muskie would have a higher chance of survival...

I definitely will NOT go anywhere without my release tools regardless if my partner have them or not... and I will definitely bring my net along if I know my partner doesnt have one...

[guideman]

Hey mainbutter,

I know all these guys mean well and good equipment is always the way to go. However I don't think you need to go out an break the bank, to give Muskie fishing a shot.

Those high end roods and reels are sweet if you can afford to spend $340 on a 400te and then another $250 on a rod. I think you can try it for way less than that and have a good experience.

Shimano makes some very good over the counter rods for about $110 and they carry a lifetime no questions ask warranty. You can find some good rods at Gander Mt in their guide series as well for around $100. Unless you plan on throwing nothing but Cow girls all day long there are a number of decent reels in the

$100 to $150 range that will work just fine.

The record from Abu runs about $140 at most retail outlets and the Pete Mania series at Bass Pro shops, is also a good option for your first set-up.

The release ools are important however if you're going to be fishing with someone that has them, I'd wait and see if Muskie fishing is somethig you want to do more of, before investing in a $150 net.

You can buy a craddle for about $50, they have some drawbacks however they will do the job for you. Get a few bucktails, some light some dark and maybe a topwater or 2 and a couple crankbaits and maybe a spinnerbait. Jerkbaits are something you can try after you get your feet wet.

The important thing is to just have fun with it your first time out. After that, you can deside if it's something you want to invest your total life savings in. JMHO

"Ace"

Ace guide service.

[JRedig]

Another thought branching of Ace's recommendation, maybe come the fishing season post up here and ask if anyone will take you out fishing. I know i'm always looking for more people to fish with, I have plenty of gear you can learn with and all the proper release tools. Many other's are the same.

The north metro muskies inc chapter is another great option, go to their meetings, meet some great people, i'd bet there are plenty that would be willing to take you out. Then you have some idea of what you're buying and need IF you do want to take that plunge!

[HugoBox]

JRedig is right on. A day or two out with guys who knew what they were doing would have saved me a lot of time. Actually, at this stage of the game, you may even want to schedule a day with one of the many good guides there are around.

At least for me, I know I spent a ton of dough on pretty colorful things before I figured out what works well-- actually I figued out what doesn't work!

Also, an ABU on a Gander rod served me just fine when I only fished muskies a few times a year. Kinda like how lots of guys love an 870 Express for getting out after ducks a few times per year (also, I know there are lots of guys who still love their 870's so don't send too much hate mail) - it does the job but once they switch to a Benelli or Beretta their perspective changes a bit - I put a Cruado on a custom Thorne rod and boy has my perspective changed.

[50inchpig]

I have a couple expensive rods but I got an 8.5' Gander Mountain rod last year and love it. A really good all around rod.

Shimano has a few good musky reels for the price. I like the Corvalus myself but wouldn't hesitate to use another model.

[Shack]

It sounds tacky, but after you get your first reel/rod, spool it with line, go out in the front or back yard and practice casting.

You would not believe how well this works for learning what to do as far and accuracy and preventing backlash. It all comes to depth perception and working the thumb

I used some 6 once river weights last year. It gets you in the ballpark IMO!

I only got in a hand full of trips last year and have not even had my first follow yet. This year, that will change It was pretty easy for me, because of all the “cat” gear and release tools I have from my main species. If you search back, you will get an idea of what lures everyone is using. I will also say to allow your self at least $150-$200 in lures, to cover the spectrum. That money will go quick though .

Good luck!