Musky Newbie, Questions + !Answers!
- xxcanuckxx
- Participant
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:59 pm
- Location: Toronto
Musky Newbie, Questions + !Answers!
I fished for musky my first time last fall. Caught two fish in two days!
Needless to say I am hooked and will be spending stupid amounts of money on lures for years to come.
My questions are:
What is a decent entry level Rod/Reel combo, mainly(90%) for trolling? I don't want to spend hundreds, but I want to pay enough to get good quality.
Should I buy a tackle box or just make my own tube box?
I want a better net option, I'll be fishing mostly from a pontoon boat, so cradles won't work. What is the best net for the fish's welfare?
I tend to read as much as I can once I become interested in a hobby, but I have never seen an article on how to outfit a beginner...
My first two muskies:
[EDIT]
So for the other newbies keeping track:
Rod:
7',
Medium Heavy to Extra Heavy Power,
Medium Fast to Fast Action,
20-50lb / 0.014-0.018in line weight/diameter (which I guess is the mono measurement, so superbraid at that diameter will get you your 80-100lbs test),
3oz. or heavier lure rating,
1 piece
I think I will be getting: Shimano Compre CPCM68XH
Reel:
The Abu Garcia 6500C3 (1115458) was the most suggested reel for a dual purpose reel (casting and trolling)
3 ball bearings
5.3:1 gear ratio
14/245 line weight/length
Net:
Frabill seems to be the most suggested net.
Features to look for:
strength/size needed for a muskie sized catch, knotless mesh that is easier on a fish’s scales, eyes, slime coat and fins
I think I will be getting: Frabill 28'x50" PowerCatch Kwik Kradle Landing Net Model: 8465 A cradle I might be able to use!
Mini Bolt Cutters:
Most times its better to cut the hook.
Line:
Superbraid 80-100lbs test
It sounds like too thick of a line to me, we don't even use that heavy a line for tarpon!
I am going to stick with 30-40lbs I think, maybe 50lbs, probably powerpro.
Leaders:
80-100lbs
Trolling: 36"to 48" Fluorocarbon if you can afford it, why not try and make your own!
Casting: 18" steel
If I missed something or you have a comment let me know and I can edit...
[/EDIT]
Needless to say I am hooked and will be spending stupid amounts of money on lures for years to come.
My questions are:
What is a decent entry level Rod/Reel combo, mainly(90%) for trolling? I don't want to spend hundreds, but I want to pay enough to get good quality.
Should I buy a tackle box or just make my own tube box?
I want a better net option, I'll be fishing mostly from a pontoon boat, so cradles won't work. What is the best net for the fish's welfare?
I tend to read as much as I can once I become interested in a hobby, but I have never seen an article on how to outfit a beginner...
My first two muskies:
[EDIT]
So for the other newbies keeping track:
Rod:
7',
Medium Heavy to Extra Heavy Power,
Medium Fast to Fast Action,
20-50lb / 0.014-0.018in line weight/diameter (which I guess is the mono measurement, so superbraid at that diameter will get you your 80-100lbs test),
3oz. or heavier lure rating,
1 piece
I think I will be getting: Shimano Compre CPCM68XH
Reel:
The Abu Garcia 6500C3 (1115458) was the most suggested reel for a dual purpose reel (casting and trolling)
3 ball bearings
5.3:1 gear ratio
14/245 line weight/length
Net:
Frabill seems to be the most suggested net.
Features to look for:
strength/size needed for a muskie sized catch, knotless mesh that is easier on a fish’s scales, eyes, slime coat and fins
I think I will be getting: Frabill 28'x50" PowerCatch Kwik Kradle Landing Net Model: 8465 A cradle I might be able to use!
Mini Bolt Cutters:
Most times its better to cut the hook.
Line:
Superbraid 80-100lbs test
It sounds like too thick of a line to me, we don't even use that heavy a line for tarpon!
I am going to stick with 30-40lbs I think, maybe 50lbs, probably powerpro.
Leaders:
80-100lbs
Trolling: 36"to 48" Fluorocarbon if you can afford it, why not try and make your own!
Casting: 18" steel
If I missed something or you have a comment let me know and I can edit...
[/EDIT]
Last edited by xxcanuckxx on Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:56 am, edited 2 times in total.
- troutnmuskiehunter
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3131
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am
Nice fish!!
Your hooked
www.muskiescanada.ca
We have a couple chapters out your way and lots of great info....
Your hooked
www.muskiescanada.ca
We have a couple chapters out your way and lots of great info....
- 86Robinson
- Participant
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:57 am
welcome I got hooked 2 years ago 46 incher first muskie ever. I think I have spent about $400 on lures and a cheap rod since. I have a bunch of different baits my favorits right now are bucktails. Lots of other things in every colour just to be able to change it up to something different. Haven't caught anything near that size again but still get out all the time. I hear the rubber nets are better if ur not going for the cradle. A pontoon would have lots of space for some good fishing. Im guna be looking for a bigger takle box there are some good ones designed for large baits. Ill be pickin up a lot more baits now that I'm in an area with more opportunities. Its addictive and tons of fun, cant wait for some open water.
xxcanuckxxx
I too am a fellow muskie nut.
My suggestion is to attend some MCI or OVCM meetings. Get to know some guys etc.
There are also alot of good musky fishermen on here. From the pics it seems your doing pretty darn good!
As for gear. I started out with some spinners, glidebaits, a bulldawg and a topwater bait. I bought a second-hand Loomis rod and a new reel (from a fellow MCI member). I also bought a large frabill net and a good set of cutters (knipex). During the down season, I'd suggest joining 1 of the 2 musky clubs available in the area. Learn as much as you can about catch and release. Nobody is going to reveal a "sweet-spot" but if you know musky habitat...you'll know where to start casting/trolling.
Good luck!
I too am a fellow muskie nut.
My suggestion is to attend some MCI or OVCM meetings. Get to know some guys etc.
There are also alot of good musky fishermen on here. From the pics it seems your doing pretty darn good!
As for gear. I started out with some spinners, glidebaits, a bulldawg and a topwater bait. I bought a second-hand Loomis rod and a new reel (from a fellow MCI member). I also bought a large frabill net and a good set of cutters (knipex). During the down season, I'd suggest joining 1 of the 2 musky clubs available in the area. Learn as much as you can about catch and release. Nobody is going to reveal a "sweet-spot" but if you know musky habitat...you'll know where to start casting/trolling.
Good luck!
- rodbreaker
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:13 pm
- Location: Ottawa
- troutnmuskiehunter
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3131
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am
I believe xxcanuckxx is from the Toronto area and won't be able to attend the Ottawa chapter meetings....Geos wrote:I went through all this last fall.
#1 The best thing you can do is go out with or take someone that knows what there doing
#2 the Ottawa chapter of muskies canada is your best resource for all things muskie (but it may push the limits of "safe for fish" fishing)
#3 Dont think for a moment catching 2 or even 1 muskie a trip out will be the norm.
- Chevy Champagne
- Gold Participant
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:00 am
- Location: ottawa river
- troutnmuskiehunter
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3131
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am
- Bass Addict
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 4536
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:47 pm
- Location: I'm keeping an EYE on Fish-Hawk
- troutnmuskiehunter
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3131
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am
Sorry Paul....I'll translate it for you and Jamsers (his fantasy has put him in Yokohama now according to his avatar )Bass Addict wrote:TroutnMuskieHunter wrote: Daijoubu desu yo!!!!!
It means "no problem" in Japanese....I used to travel to Japan frequently on business many years ago and picked up a few phrases here and there
BUT...lets not hijack xxcanucksxx post
Check your pm's xxcanuckxx