04-27-2004, 06:43 AM
With the musky bite ready to start. do you have the right stuff. here is some ideas from musky 101 [font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 4]Proper Equipment[/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Having the right fishing equipment is a must when fishing for muskies. Muskies are a lot bigger than most freshwater fish and the gear you use should be directed toward fish of these proportions. Musky fishing can be very expensive, just ask the addicts. We at muskies.101 would like to emphasize that you do not need to have the most expensive equipment, just the right equipment. There are many places online that sell used fishing rods, reels, lures, etc. Take your time when buying musky gear, do your homework. These purchases will last you a lifetime if done correctly. Be sure to check out our section on how to maintain your equipment.
[/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Map:
Most of the local tackle shops have area lake maps. These maps are very informative and will help in your success rate.
[/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Rod:
The rod length will depend on your height and how high your boat sits on the water. For instance, taller people may need a longer rod than shorter people. If your boat sits higher out of the water you will need a longer rod than if your boat sits closer to the water. Imagine doing figure eight's, including deep and wide turns while your shopping around. If your going to fish with primarily jerk baits it is recommended that, a "heavy-fast" action rod is used. For bucktails and topwater, a "medium-fast" action. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Bait Casters:
This type of reel is used for musky fishing. A good all around gear ratio is 5.1 (5:1 = for every one turn of the handle, the spool will make 5 revolutions). The higher the gear ratio the faster you can "burn" your baits or "speed crank" lures. Low gear ratios are good for some crank baits and slow moving topwater baits. Also, check the line capacity. The line used for fishing muskies is a lot thicker so, it will take up more space and allow you less line to put on it. Make sure the reel feels comfortable in your hands. Low profile reels are good for people with smaller hands, such as children and women. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Line:
The test pound weight of your line should be at least 30 pound, 50 pound if using live bait. Remember these are big fish and having a line break when hooking a big fish could be detrimental if the fish is left to swim off with a lure and line still attached. Using heavier or stronger line will get the fish to the boat faster, which will lessen the stress put on the fish. There are many brands and types of line, monofilament, dacron, fly line, wire line, etc. Depending on who you talk to will depend on what they would recommend. Purchasing line is basically a personal preference. Here's one tip that may help you out: When air temperatures gets below freezing, use monofilament line - it will not hold water so it will not freeze. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Leaders:
There are literally hundreds of types of leaders for all types of fishing. We will stick to the basics on this one. Steal leaders with a swivel snap are recommended. The swivels prevent your line from twisting. The common lengths range anywhere from 6" to 18". The length is another personal preference. You can even make your own if you like. Depending on what type of leader you use will depend on how often you should change them. For instance, seven strand leaders should be changed every three to four fishing days. If you change your lures a lot, you may want to change your leaders more often. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Landing Device:
You should have the right size net, again, these are big fish, make sure you have a big net. Although not mandatory, a rubber treated net (bag) is easier on the fish and makes hook removal a lot easier, especially if the fish thrashes in the net. There are two styles of musky nets that are most commonly used, the cradle (two long rods running parallel with mesh in between them) and the standard hoop net. The cradle is easy on the fish when the fish is in it. The cradle is more of a two person net. The hoop net comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The net must be deep enough to keep the fish (especially his head) in the water at boat side. [/size][/font]
![[Image: tools.jpg]](http://www.muskies101.com/articlepics/tools.jpg)
[left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Long Needle Nose Pliers:
This will ensure safe hook removal. The longer they are the better, you don't want your hands any closer to a muskies teeth than you have to. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Outs:
In some cases, the design of the hook outs makes it easier to get to the hard to reach places. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Jaw Spreaders:
Muskies have incredible jaw strength; jaw spreaders can be very helpful when removing hooks. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook/Bolt Cutters:
Hook/bolt cutters are a must! In some circumstances, it will be a lot safer for the fisherman and the fish if the hooks are cut from the lure and then removed. Do not leave any part of the hook in the fish. Contrary to old beliefs, hooks do not dissolve in the fish and could be detrimental to the fish if not removed. Use quality hook/bolt cutters, your cutters must be able to handle the largest hooks you use. Cutters also come in handy if you accidentally hook yourself or your partner. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Spare Hooks:
Keep spare (sharpened) hooks in your arsenal. It’s a lot faster to cut hooks and replace them using a split ring than struggling to get certain hooks out. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Sharpener:
Sharp hooks will up your catch percentages greatly. On every new lure, hooks should be sharpened. There are many hook sharpeners on the market. Choose one that you are comfortable working with and will do a good job in honing a razor sharp hook. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Removal First Aid Kit:
Just in case there is a mishap, you are prepared. If a hook is buried past the barb, have it professionally removed! It's been said that fishhook wounds are very infectious, make sure you clean it well and get medical advice. If you have a hook removed professionally, do not cut the hook itself. It makes it more difficult for the medical team. Cut the lure/leader off and leave the other technicalities to the people who have medical schooling.[/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][/size][/font][/left]
So if you plan on fishing for them make sure you have what it takes.
[signature]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Having the right fishing equipment is a must when fishing for muskies. Muskies are a lot bigger than most freshwater fish and the gear you use should be directed toward fish of these proportions. Musky fishing can be very expensive, just ask the addicts. We at muskies.101 would like to emphasize that you do not need to have the most expensive equipment, just the right equipment. There are many places online that sell used fishing rods, reels, lures, etc. Take your time when buying musky gear, do your homework. These purchases will last you a lifetime if done correctly. Be sure to check out our section on how to maintain your equipment.
[/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Map:
Most of the local tackle shops have area lake maps. These maps are very informative and will help in your success rate.
[/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Rod:
The rod length will depend on your height and how high your boat sits on the water. For instance, taller people may need a longer rod than shorter people. If your boat sits higher out of the water you will need a longer rod than if your boat sits closer to the water. Imagine doing figure eight's, including deep and wide turns while your shopping around. If your going to fish with primarily jerk baits it is recommended that, a "heavy-fast" action rod is used. For bucktails and topwater, a "medium-fast" action. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Bait Casters:
This type of reel is used for musky fishing. A good all around gear ratio is 5.1 (5:1 = for every one turn of the handle, the spool will make 5 revolutions). The higher the gear ratio the faster you can "burn" your baits or "speed crank" lures. Low gear ratios are good for some crank baits and slow moving topwater baits. Also, check the line capacity. The line used for fishing muskies is a lot thicker so, it will take up more space and allow you less line to put on it. Make sure the reel feels comfortable in your hands. Low profile reels are good for people with smaller hands, such as children and women. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Line:
The test pound weight of your line should be at least 30 pound, 50 pound if using live bait. Remember these are big fish and having a line break when hooking a big fish could be detrimental if the fish is left to swim off with a lure and line still attached. Using heavier or stronger line will get the fish to the boat faster, which will lessen the stress put on the fish. There are many brands and types of line, monofilament, dacron, fly line, wire line, etc. Depending on who you talk to will depend on what they would recommend. Purchasing line is basically a personal preference. Here's one tip that may help you out: When air temperatures gets below freezing, use monofilament line - it will not hold water so it will not freeze. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Leaders:
There are literally hundreds of types of leaders for all types of fishing. We will stick to the basics on this one. Steal leaders with a swivel snap are recommended. The swivels prevent your line from twisting. The common lengths range anywhere from 6" to 18". The length is another personal preference. You can even make your own if you like. Depending on what type of leader you use will depend on how often you should change them. For instance, seven strand leaders should be changed every three to four fishing days. If you change your lures a lot, you may want to change your leaders more often. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Landing Device:
You should have the right size net, again, these are big fish, make sure you have a big net. Although not mandatory, a rubber treated net (bag) is easier on the fish and makes hook removal a lot easier, especially if the fish thrashes in the net. There are two styles of musky nets that are most commonly used, the cradle (two long rods running parallel with mesh in between them) and the standard hoop net. The cradle is easy on the fish when the fish is in it. The cradle is more of a two person net. The hoop net comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The net must be deep enough to keep the fish (especially his head) in the water at boat side. [/size][/font]
[left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Long Needle Nose Pliers: This will ensure safe hook removal. The longer they are the better, you don't want your hands any closer to a muskies teeth than you have to. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Outs:
In some cases, the design of the hook outs makes it easier to get to the hard to reach places. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Jaw Spreaders:
Muskies have incredible jaw strength; jaw spreaders can be very helpful when removing hooks. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook/Bolt Cutters:
Hook/bolt cutters are a must! In some circumstances, it will be a lot safer for the fisherman and the fish if the hooks are cut from the lure and then removed. Do not leave any part of the hook in the fish. Contrary to old beliefs, hooks do not dissolve in the fish and could be detrimental to the fish if not removed. Use quality hook/bolt cutters, your cutters must be able to handle the largest hooks you use. Cutters also come in handy if you accidentally hook yourself or your partner. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Spare Hooks:
Keep spare (sharpened) hooks in your arsenal. It’s a lot faster to cut hooks and replace them using a split ring than struggling to get certain hooks out. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Sharpener:
Sharp hooks will up your catch percentages greatly. On every new lure, hooks should be sharpened. There are many hook sharpeners on the market. Choose one that you are comfortable working with and will do a good job in honing a razor sharp hook. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Hook Removal First Aid Kit:
Just in case there is a mishap, you are prepared. If a hook is buried past the barb, have it professionally removed! It's been said that fishhook wounds are very infectious, make sure you clean it well and get medical advice. If you have a hook removed professionally, do not cut the hook itself. It makes it more difficult for the medical team. Cut the lure/leader off and leave the other technicalities to the people who have medical schooling.[/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][/size][/font][/left]
So if you plan on fishing for them make sure you have what it takes.
[signature]