ANY LAKE INFO ON MUSKIES FOR THE SUMMER.

[Cody Gruchow]

i know its a little early to be asking but this summer(2008) is my first year actively pursuing muskies. and i was wonder what lures work best, what pound line, rod length etc..and any lakes that the bite is a little above average...i have thought about going on a guided trip on mille lacs for them also. any info is appreciated. thanks

[3willy]

You need to go to the Muskie show at the national sports center in blain, Mar 7,8 &9 10$ to get in free parking and a lot of good infoand equipment. The show seems to get bigger every year. Hrs are 2:00 to 9:00pm on fri the 7th, 10:00 am to 7:00pm on the 8th and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the 9th. If you get there early the usually have some pretty funny t-shirts for sale. Muskies eating the other game fish ect.

[HD]

I use a 6'6" bait caster ugly stick, and a spin caster ugly stick, also 6'6" (broke lotsa rods before these) I keep um both rigged and in the boat. The spinning rig, I got 20lb spider wire with a steel leader and I like to keep a giant spinner bait on it, the ones that have a mister twister tail on um, (look like a huge beetle spin) in yellow or white. I mainly use these ones for searching, look'in for boils and casting into reed beds. (less hang up's)

The bait caster (make sure you buy a good one) I have the same line, but you have to be careful cause the spider wire is slippery and likes to slid into itself on the spool. That's why I keep my heavier lures on this one for casting (jerk baits and large jointed rapilas) I use alot of ones with perch design on them, you have to try to match what's in the lake (lota perch, throw a perch, lota shinners, throw a shinner look'in one) with a steel leader. (leaders are our friends!) (they got big teeth) I use this one over rocky points, open water, and if you draw one out with the spinner and she won't hit, i'll toss this at her! (most of the bigger ones are girls) (sorry ladies, but it's true)


Here's the disclamer: this is just what I use, I have been very successful with these set-ups, may or may not work well for you.
All taxes and titles are non tranferable and are subject to change, as deemed by the manufacturer. 

[Cody Gruchow]

lol thanks for the info....i use a 6'6  ugly stick as well with abu garcia reel with 20 pound braided spiderwire for all the bigger fish i target such as Northerns and catfish...i mainly use it for catfish though...or when i am using live bait for northerns...i always use steel leaders because i hate losing my exspensive rapalas and such. would you recommend casting for them or trollling? any lakes you would recommend...? i have a ton of lakes around me that have muskie in them but i just dont know which one to start on.

[HD]

I fish on Rush, Saint Croix, and lots on Mille lacs mostly. (only live 30 minutes away)

I did fish a lake by Clearwater that was pretty good, I went with a buddy, I think it was called Square Lake, lotsa muskie, but all I caught was smaller ones, but alot.
(5-10 pounders)

Naw, I don't troll for um, just like bass fish'in, just cast, and cast, and cast, and cast, and then when your arm falls off, cast some more!

If you got a good lake, you catch big pike in between, so at least you catch somth'in!

[3willy]

Here in the cities minnetonka, lots of chalanges there. white bear is where the big one lives unless some one took it hm was close tp the record last time i heard.if you fish minnetonka get a map or we use a gps with the lakemaster pro map that thing is dead on.

[Cody Gruchow]

there are a few lakes that i can catch pike and muskies on but i only think like 3 or 4 are like that

[Fish Guide]

My first piece of advice is to hire a guide for 2 days in a decent area of the state where there are many oportunities to fish Muskies.  Tell the guide what you goal is, --learn techniques, --gather info about equipment, learn about the habits of the fish etc etc , and dont plan on catching one or you will not learn a thing.  Do not purchase anything until you have done this.  If you walk into the wrong store at the right time you will be walking out with $600 of junk you do not need to catch a glorified  30 lb northern.  Why hire for 2 days?  you may get a better well rounded package of info.  Be careful about the guide. there are many part time muskie guides that take your money for gas and put you in the back of the boat all day, good luck

[gds]

To prevent the super lines from slipping on the spool, put some mono on the pool first then tie the braid to it and spool the braid. You will have no more problems.

[gds]

Also instead of hireing a guide find some people to fish with on this site as well as others. There are alot of fisherman out there with a open seat with alot of info they are willing to share.

[dakids]

Hire a guide.  A good guide helps speed up your learning curve.  I live in the west metro and fish Waconia and minetonka the most.  I used a local guide and have learned a lot from him. If anyone needs his number e-mail me and I will give you his name and number.  He is also a really great person to fish with. He has had a booth at the muskie expo for the last couple of years.  I use him once a year and have always seen several fish and caught a fish on over 50% of my trips.  We almost always use spiner baits and bucktails. I have learned that they have the best hooking percentages and are easy to use. You can bring your own stuff or use his.