Hey I need help on the set ups for muskie fishing...

Ace2000 · 08-27-2007, 10:25 PM

Well I've always heard from In-Fisherman by Doug Stange that you can use alot of bucktail jigs and things that make the water ripple. Along with sometimes splashing the water with your fishing rod will attract those big muskies but is that true I've always wondered because I'm open to new suggestions and tips on this subject also.

Pat Curtis · 08-28-2007, 03:14 PM

Muskie fishing can be tough. You can easily go several full length days without a fish in the boat.

It's a good trick to use bucktail in-line spinners (around here black...and black/red really seem to work well for muskies) and "bulge" the surface. The lure doesn't come out of the water, but pushes water up over the lure on the surface. I do it like this: As soon as the lure hits the water, pull the rod to the side to get the lure's blades spinning and moving. As soon as this happens, start reeling in fast to get the slack out of the line.

I've never heard of splashing the water with the rod.What you want to do with your rod is do a figure-8 at boatside. After you retrieve your lure but before you pull it out of the water, stick your rod about ½ way into the water..and make very wide (but fast) figure-8 motions. Try not to slow down in the turns, but rather attempt to speed it up.

Muskies are very picky eaters, and will follow your lure all the way to the boat quite often...especially if you reel the lure straight back to the boat. If you see a follow, never slow or stop the lure down...they will lose interest instantly. Instead, do random quick jerks and irratic motions with the lure. Wear a good pair of polarized sun-glasses..and constantly look behind and/or under your lure for their long/dark body.

Bulldawgs are great lures...you'll want to try those if you can. Believers, SS Shads, and Kickin' Minnows have worked great for me this year too.

BTW, where will you be fishing at?

Pat Curtis · 08-28-2007, 03:27 PM

Here's a good video of the local Hoosier Muskie Hunters. Mike Ice nails one doing a figure-8. Neat little overview...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LypFrVuHkQ

Ace2000 · 08-28-2007, 05:21 PM

Hey thanks watching it will be great

Pat Curtis · 08-28-2007, 06:58 PM

Just to add a bit more, I like to use 7½ and 8 foot rods. I like several brands of reels, but one important thing I like is an actual thumb-bar release...not the small button on the side of the reel. It's just a lot more comfortable for me.

When I figure-8, I'll click my reel to free line it...but keep my thumb pressed hard on the spool. If I get a strike, I can set the hook..and let the fish take some line out without taking my rod with it. It seems crazy, but a 30lbs fish is very powerful..and can take off in a flash.

I am a firm believer in very strong fluorocarbon leaders, and a heavy braided line. My leaders are 12" and 120lbs. I use Power Pro 80lbs line. I get great lure control, and have never had a bite off. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible in the water, so the lure looks as natural as can be.

If you go with a couple friends, each person should start off throwing something different. We like to have the guy up front burning an in-line spinner. The guy in the middle usually has a bulldawg or a crank. The guy in the back has a topwater if we're shallow, or a jerkbait. Usually one guy will get a couple follows on a specific lure..or even a strike. By the end of the day, we're usually using the same lure..or something very close to it..and we'll vary colors.

If you have a good fish finder, locate schools of baitfish...and thentoss lures right thru them. If you can't find any, cruise until you find submerged weeds. These fish will bury themselves in weeds..then bolt out like a mad-man after a lure or prey. Some lures (bulldawgs) are GREAT at being ripped right thru weeds. It's not a bad thing to be tossing weeds back into the lake after a retrieve of a bulldawg. Shallow points near deeper drop offs hold muskies too. If you can find a hump, toss around it like crazy.

Other than that, make sure you have a good net, or a cradle. Hook cutters and pliers are a must too. These fish fight so hard they can easily die..even if they swim away perfectly fine (ESPECIALLY if the water temps are high!!). Handle them with care. We get the hook out while it's in the net in the water, then get it in the boat. We measure all of our catches, snap a picture, look them over really well...and then back in the water they go. Usually takes no more than a minute.

Muskie fishing rocks. One good 45" muskie trumps any bass I've ever caught.