First musky of the year (pic)

[Max-in-Mn]

I think most guys would say 80lb braid is ideal, but 50 should be ok as long as it's good stuff. Your rod and reel sounds good. Just make sure to get a really heavy duty wire leader of 100lb+ test, those are a must! Other than that I'd recommend you make sure you have proper landing gear such a huge net, long pliers, heavy duty hook cutters, and maybe a steel mesh glove for grabbing the fish around the gills {they can cut up your hand real bad}. If you catch one, I'd recommend trying to get the hook out while he is in the water {in the net or have a buddy grab its tail}. You really don't want one of those things thrashing around in you boat with a big lure in it Good luck and let us know if you have more questions!

P.S. Do some research online about the "figure 8". You will almost always get a following fish during an outing, so make sure you're ready and know what to do when that happens!

[billbrum]

There is a nice muskie fishing site called muskiefirst. Ask a question there. Alot of good people that would love to help out a beginning muskie angler.

[Munkin]

The secret to catching them around here is not to fish for them? Try fishing for bass and you will hook into a couple. They will hit just about anything but seem to like jerkbaits better than other lures. The biggest one I caught (45")was on a oatmeal ball fishing for carp.

Allen

[basser89]

The secret to catching them around here is not to fish for them? Try fishing for bass and you will hook into a couple. They will hit just about anything but seem to like jerkbaits better than other lures. The biggest one I caught (45")was on a oatmeal ball fishing for carp.

Allen

My majority of my action with muskies on bass tackle has come late in the year. I landed two late last year on jerkbaits. The only other one I've had on, on the Potomac, came on a Norman Mad N crank (that one was about 30"). The rest of mine on the river have come on my typical musky gear (although, one of my go to baits has been a 6" jointed Rebel minnow). Most of mine come on top water musky baits! What fun that is!!!!  ;D  I have had limited luck swimming a bucktail jig (that I tied) as well. The rest of my MD muskies (tigers) have come at Black Hills and all have been caught on my bass gear (mostly spinnerbaits). I've had a couple on there over 40" but they've thrown the baits one way or another.  >  The last bigger one I had on there, hit a 1/2oz Rattle Trap and cut my line after a short fight.  :'(  

[MskSlyr]

I think you are right on the money with the jerkbait suggestion Munkin. I have had a few instances like basser and yourself with bass gear and a bass size jerkbait/minnowbait where fishing for walleye/smallies and a muskie hammer it. The muskies size jerkbaits are great as well.