Posts: 112
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2010
Reputation:
0
I lost a big one today. 8/10 times when I get a Musky strike it's close to the boat at the end of my stripping retrieve. At this point I have 70-80 feet of line on the deck of the boat. Unlike most saltwater fish, musky dont really run that far, they seem to just kinda hang around the boat when hooked and thus the line never gets pulled far enough out which causes me to spend a very long time cranking the reel to get the line on it. It takes too long, giving the fish too many chances to spit the hook. With trout I always hand strip the fish in when landing them and never bother to get the fish on the reel, its just feels awkward handstripping a 40 inch fish. Any tips?
[signature]
Posts: 2,727
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
0
In that situation the only way I know is using your hand to fight the fish. Forget the reel, the fish will be long gone by the time you have the line in. I usually lose a fair number of big salt water fish in this circumstance but at least you have a chance. I've seen it done with a 35 lb Jack Crevalle that put up a fight far greater than any fresh water fish ever could.
[signature]
Posts: 112
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2010
Reputation:
0
I caught a jack that size off the beach in baja but that puppy ripped me into the backing in about a second. Salt fish are a whole diferent deal on fly, but I do find the cat and mouse game with these Muskies quite a rush.
[signature]
Posts: 1,010
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2011
Reputation:
0
I've never hooked a Muskie on the fly, but I've caught a few pike. I've also caught many 30+ inch carp and the one thing that I almost always try to have with me when chasing those big fellas is my old Perine (sp) auto fly reel. (bought it from LOAH a year or two ago) They aren't the lightest reels in the world, but you're throwing at least a seven weight - up to 9 or 10 even - so unless you're a pro, it probably won't make too much of a difference. Being able to suck up sixty feet of line in seconds is fantastic and holding the trigger while you strip them in is easy peasy.
Plus, chicks dig guys with vintage reels.
[signature]
Posts: 718
Threads: 2
Joined: Feb 2011
Reputation:
3
stripping apron, yo!
[signature]
Posts: 19,235
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
[quote joshomaru]stripping apron, yo![/quote]
Absolutely
[signature]
