Any Musky Fisherman on here???

[Big Tom]

It seems that I am starting to get the itch to go Musky fishing again.  I dedicated a weekend to it last fall (which is supposed to be prime time on the local lake) and didn't catch any.  Had quite a few follows and had one absolutely crush a Jr. Double Cowgirl.  I didn't hook it because the hooks that come on most musky baits seem like they are really dull and I was using a severely underpowered rod.

I have a couple questions:

First, how do you guys deal with the bad hooks that come on most musky baits? 

Do you replace them or sharpen them? 

If you replace them, where in the hell do you find 7/0 trebles?

What kind of setups are you guys running? 

I am thinking about purchasing a Shimano Compre 8' XH musky rod.  I may put an Abu Garcia C3 on it and load it up with 80lb. braid. 

What are some of your favorite musky baits? 

I currently have a Jr. Double Cowgirl and black/orange Medussa.  Getting ready for this fall, I am tempted to buy a couple large bass swimbaits and see how I do on them.  Spro's 8" BBZ-1 in the carp color looks like money.  They run about the same price as Musky baits and are a whole lot prettier.  I know a musky could potentially tear the living dog ish out of one but it would be worth seeing in my opinion.

Since this is a dedicated bass forum I suspect that I may not get a lot of answers.  Any input is appreciated even if you have no advice but a good story to tell.

[bear7625]

I still love musky fishing even though as I've grown older, I found myself going back to my roots as a bass fisherman. All musky fishermen sharpen their hooks, even if they're on new lures.

Musky equipment and baits have become huge in the fishing industry the same as bass. There are so many choices, it can become overwhelming. Start with the basics. You can't go wrong with a few bucktail spinner baits and topwater baits like the tallywacker and giant jackpot. There are just to many to list. Here is a site that will be a big help.

muskyshop.com

Musky Hunter magazine is one of the best on the market, and their online forums are good.

muskyhunter.com

[Big Tom]

Thanks, Bear.  I will be sure to check out those websites.

I appreciate the info.

[Nice_Bass]

Honestly, I have about 4k in musky baits and all i throw now are large swimbaits, all year round.  I sharpen every hook but the jigs i buy to put on shad bodies are all very sharp.  My one stop shop for anything musky is muskyshop.com

As far as the rod, I throw a c4 abu, on an all star rod most of the time with 65# power pro and 80# fluro leader.  I catch most of my musky any more bass fishing on bass rods and 12# mono...That is a lot more fun to me now instead of throwing big musky baits all day.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I have been throwing swimbaits for them, but the biggest producer this year has been a regular old Terminator spinnerbait.

I have thrown everything from a High Power Herring all the way up in size to a Nate's Bait 11" trout.

Fish Cave Run and you'll hook up.   

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Fish Cave Run and you'll hook up.

We went out on Cave Run last year, it was a rough day, cold, spitting rain, Big Tom was sick for about 2 weeks after that.  It wasn't a successful day at all but good enough for us to want to go back, the day I went we all three had followers.  Tom hooked the the musky he did on a 7'9''MH Dobyns Mike Long Swimbait Rod.  I hope we get to go out a few days this year, definitely something I could get used to doing, maybe not all the time.

[Big Tom]

I would have no problem spending an entire fall season chasing Musky.

nice_Bass, I will be sure to go check out that site. I think I want to get another bucktail, a standard spinnerbait and a swimbait or two and I will feel pretty adequate.

SPEEDBEAD, thanks for the advice and encouragement. Have you ever been to Cave Run? I guess it has a pretty good reputation among Musky lakes.

[bear7625]

Honestly, I have about 4k in musky baits and all i throw now are large swimbaits, all year round. I sharpen every hook but the jigs i buy to put on shad bodies are all very sharp. My one stop shop for anything musky is muskyshop.com

As far as the rod, I throw a c4 abu, on an all star rod most of the time with 65# power pro and 80# fluro leader. I catch most of my musky any more bass fishing on bass rods and 12# mono...That is a lot more fun to me now instead of throwing big musky baits all day.

Musky fishing does get expensive. Most of us have built our tackle up over time. I know guys that always musky fish together and both contribute to a communal tackle box.

I agree with nice_Bass! muskyshop.com is the best around. I have known Rollie & Helen since they first started out and they will treat you right.

Don't let weather scare you off. Some of the best musky days aren't fit for man or beast. ;D

[Big Tom]

It sure is expensive.  Even the ugly baits are pricey.   ;D

Its funny how it can be such a different world than bass fishing.

[bear7625]

It sure is expensive. Even the ugly baits are pricey. ;D

Its funny how it can be such a different world than bass fishing.

It's a different world with the same addiction. Sounds like your already hooked. ;D Fishing in northern wisconsin for over 50 years and musky fishing has always been a part of it. It's good to see that more fishermen are getting hooked on musky fishing. Just remember that the best musky fishing is late fall. (oct. & early nov.)

[Big Tom]

Thanks again, bear.  I feel like I am already hooked.  I hope I can do it a little more this fall.  Last year, just getting those follows was pretty exciting.  I am aiming to hook up this time. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Another suggestion of proven lures is stuff from Joe Bucher.

The Buchertail and Top Raider would by my top two choices.

I like my Squirrely Burt too.

[bear7625]

Another suggestion of proven lures is stuff from Joe Bucher.

The Buchertail and Top Raider would by my top two choices.

I like my Squirrely Burt too.

x2

[Big Tom]

Well, here is my list:

Already own:

Medussa - Black and Orange.  I honestly don't know what possessed me to get this monstrosity.  A Cave Run guide recommended it.  I will soon own a rod that can sling it though.

Jr. Double Cowgirl - Rainbow Skirt and Nickel blades.

My friend owns a Double Cowgirl and a few Musky Marabou baits so I think we have bucktails covered.

What I am buying soon:

Bucher Top Raider - I like the Black Widow color.  What colors are you guys throwing?

Cochran Musky Tackle Musky Bling Spinnerbait 2 oz. - Thinking about getting the Chartreuse and Black combo.

And possibly a Musky Mayhem Stickem Jig 3/4 oz. - Black.  I heard this was a good bait to make some followers commit.

What kind of start is that?

[Nice_Bass]

I think they can all catch fish, just a matter of what depth they are at.  I think it is more important than when bass fishing.  My go to post follow lure is a Lindy tiger tube.  Great action and perfect hook up ratio.  Drives them nuts and the price is not too bad.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I have a couple questions:

First, how do you guys deal with the bad hooks that come on most musky baits? 

I replace most of the hooks on the lures I buy.  If I am unable to replace the hooks (such as Spinnerbaits), then I sharpen them as best as I can.   Musky lures are notorious for having bad hooks and I have found that even after sharpening them, they don't stay sharp for long.   

Do you replace them or sharpen them? 

As mentioned above, I replace them.

If you replace them, where in the hell do you find 7/0 trebles?

The absolute best large treble hooks I found are made by Musky Innovations.  These things are sharp and they make up to 8/0.

http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/9/page/1/id/1818/name/MuskyInnovationsWideGapPlasmaPointHooks

What kind of setups are you guys running? 

I have 6 set-ups that I use (all have 85 lb. Superline).

G Loomis MUR933C-HB & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR786C-JB  & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR826C-JB & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR915C-HB & Ambassadeur 5500-C3

G Loomis MUR946C-TR & Ambassadeur 5500-C3

G Loomis MUR966 & Ambassadeur 6500-C3

I love the older maroon colored G Loomis muskie rods, but since their new Xpediter Service no longer covers them, I will replace them with another brand if they happen to break (which I hope never happens).  I hear the St. Croix rods are nice.

When I troll, I will use line counting reels with heavy mono.

What are some of your favorite musky baits? 

Anything made by Bucher I have found to be good.  I particularly like the depthraiders.  I also like Llungen's DC-10 and Musky Mayhems Double Cowgirl.

[Big Tom]

I think they can all catch fish, just a matter of what depth they are at. I think it is more important than when bass fishing. My go to post follow lure is a Lindy tiger tube. Great action and perfect hook up ratio. Drives them nuts and the price is not too bad.

The Musky start really keying in on shallow weed flats when the water temps start cooling.  A lot of the locals like to run shallow baits over the top of these weed beds.  This is what got our boat the most action last year.  This eliminates a lot of the deeper running Musky baits. 

I hadn't heard of that tube before.  Thanks for the recommendation.

[Big Tom]

I replace most of the hooks on the lures I buy. If I am unable to replace the hooks (such as Spinnerbaits), then I sharpen them as best as I can. Musky lures are notorious for having bad hooks and I have found that even after sharpening them, they don't stay sharp for long.

Thanks for the tip. I am going to try my hand at sharpening hooks as well as buying new ones.

The absolute best large treble hooks I found are made by Musky Innovations. These things are sharp and they make up to 8/0.

http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/9/page/1/id/1818/name/MuskyInnovationsWideGapPlasmaPointHooks

That is a really nice looking treble. The prices aren't bad either.

I have 6 set-ups that I use (all have 85 lb. Superline).

G Loomis MUR933C-HB & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR786C-JB & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR826C-JB & Ambassadeur 5600-C4

G Loomis MUR915C-HB & Ambassadeur 5500-C3

G Loomis MUR946C-TR & Ambassadeur 5500-C3

G Loomis MUR966 & Ambassadeur 6500-C3

Wow. Those are some really nice rods. I handled a few and was amazed at how light they were.

Anything made by Bucher I have found to be good. I particularly like the depthraiders. I also like Llungen's DC-10 and Musky Mayhems Double Cowgirl.

I like the looks of all those baits. I am especially partial to bucktails as that is the only bait I have seen action on. I am going to try to change that soon.

Thanks for the info.

[basser89]

Big fan of the Bucher Top Raider myself! The Black Widow is a great choice! Don't overlook the baby loon color too! That one works great too!

In-line bucktails, check out Figure 8's line up too!

[Vinny Chase]

I have a 7'6" Quantum Aliance H power rod. I like to throw deep diving crankbaits, topwater walk the dog lures, and anothing that is bright and has good movement.

[Hooligan]

Muskies are my primary target species.  (When I'm not forced to work in CA, that is...)

I run pretty much all St. Croix, Okuma, and Shimano rods, with a handful of Loomis thrown in.  Most of them are paired with Calcutta 400TE, with a couple Abu Toros, Lunas, and Trinidads thrown in.  I'm a huge fan of gliders, with well over 1200 baits.  I think I end up buying them more for the paint than anything else.  There are some fantastic painters in the muskie world.

When it comes to hooks and the like, I tend to match what was on the bait in terms of shank length and dimension.  If you fail to do so, most of the time the bait just won't work right with another hook.  The absolute best hooks I've come across as a replacement for most gliders and topwater baits is the VMC 9617BZ.

If you're a glider guy, try to find a Beaver "Perka".  You can find them from him directly, and a few places you'll see one pop up from time to time.  Warlocks are a great bait as well.  Don't go chasing muskies without a 10" Weagle, either.  I hae landed 3 50"+ fish on a 10", and know of at least 40 more 50" class fish to the bait.  Another great glider is the Wabuull.  They were recently purchased by Suick and should be in production in full.

When it comes to blade baits, there are a TON out there, in Safety-pin style baits my choice is either a Grinder, Llungen Nut-Buster, or Ruff Rad Dog.

In inlines, I have several hundred from Mayhem, a few more from Holcombe, a bunch more from Hirsch, even more from Eagletail and Mepp's. 

After bicep surgery two years ago, I have never gained enough strength and coordination to fish muskies.  That and I just don't get the chance since I'm in CA all the time now.

It's a sickness, a madness, a descent in the pits of the unknown.  But man what RUSH it is when you pop a 50".

PM me if you are looking for specific info on things, I'll try to point you in the best direction's I know.

You might go check out the boards at Muskiefirst, too.  They're super helpful and there's a greater wealth of muskie information over there than is contained in the rest of the web as a collective.