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7:56 pm
Hey all, just registered in this fine site. I have a couple questions for you all and by the sounds of it you all know what your talking about. I am actually from NE PA and fish the river from NY where is enters PA all the way to where it goes back into NY. I fished years ago for musky with no success, this year I put a little time in and actually landed 3 (32", 38", and 40") this was all in Hot weather deep into fall. Bait of choice is the super spook bass color, 14lb fireline (palomar knot only), 6'6" rod. I did alot of scouting probably non intentional, having full breach misses I would say atleast 20 different times. My question is.... How can I catch these muskies that totally devour the water around my lure, they give one shot and maybe a swirl afterward and then disappear totally. This instance happened almost everytime I went out with either myself or someone I took with.
1:53 am
For starters use a differnt lure try bucktails they have a ten time better hooking average than topwater.
Second 14lbs test is to small for muskies you are over fighting the fish to the point of exhaustion or death , These fish are fragile fish a quick landing job with a even quicker release is the only way they will survive after release. 30 lbs to 100 lbs is average muskie line. with a steel leader.
If you plan on fishing muskies regularly you should also get some release tools like Baker hook outs, bolt cutter to cut hooks out if needed. and even a large net helps even when wading.
The musky is challenge to catch . And they take a long time to grow to 40" but releasing a 40" today will get you a 45" tomorrow.
7:37 pm
Thanks Matt... I do agree with you on the easy exhaustion on the musky, I have seen it with a freind of mine and he is a very low experienced fisherman, we did however manage to watch the fish take off with enthusiasm. Not sure if you are trying to call me out on this release thing but I assure you there is no way I am keeping anything I catch or anyone that is with me. I do have Hook outs which work really well and I carry pliers that will cut any hook I have. The fish we catch are out of the water just enough for a snap shot. Anyhow, out of the 5 fish I seen get caught this year only the one 40" put up any kind of fight with lots of aerial time (5 min fight). The heavy line I have tried and just can not find a good enough casting mono that I am comfortable with, and I cannot use a steel leader with the top water lures I use, as every one knows it is hard enough keeping the line out of the 3 sets of hooks. I will however try to get off the super spook after I normally waste a half hour re-casting after a miss and start carrying a buck tail, I have a few Mepp's laying around. I would still like to know if I should keep throwing at these fish or just come back a few days later and wait it out like I have learned is the only thing that has worked for me. I am just nuts for Musky fishing... went every day in 2001 that I could possibly fish using under water lures (Rattle, Bucktail, jigs, and Rapala's) with only sighting to talk about. In 2007 I got word that someone actually caught a 37" on a super spook and I went as much as I could this year, what helped was within the first 5 minutes I landed a 32" and I too was landed once again, so now I am hooked on Super Spooks and maybe a little on the Storm Raider, I probably had over a hundred outings this year with maybe 1 or 2 times with out seeing any sign of a Musky. Sorry this is so drug out and probably over typed, just figured I would explain myself a little more....
1:07 am
January 5, 2006
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DUBER, Matt is correct with the hookup and spinners--the reason your getting more action with the spook is because of its ratical movements --#1 -wear polarized glasses #2-watch for the follow #3-gotta make the lure run or try to excape from the preditor --thats why we use the figure 8 last chance to make lure look like it's excaping---also as Matt stated--too lite of tackle -try using a super line(braided) power-pro or spiderwire stealth --40---60# and flourocarbon leader
1:08 am
It's good to hear that you catch and release .
I was just providing information that might be helpful to you in your pursuit of Muskies that is one of this clubs goals. It hard enough to catch these fish let alone the misinformation that is out there.
The thing that I think that most anglers are not aware of is there is not and endless supply of muskies in any givin waters , So catch and release is important . Good luck with your muskie huntin and let us know how you make out.
1:40 am
March 6, 2005
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When I first started muskie fishing, I invested over $2K in real muskie tackle. Sadly, after making this investment, I landed my first muskie while bass fishing on bass tackle. This fish came the very next cast after putting my new muskie rod down. I was actually pissed off about it because I lost a muskie a few minutes before that on my muskie set up. On prior trips, I had lost four others. After I settled down a bit, I realized I must be doing a lot of things right, but something was missing. Why could I stick a muskie with a light action rod, 8lb mono and a bass tube? The answer- I was using a super sharp tube head. What I was missing was not sharpening the hooks! I don't know of any muskie lure that comes out of the package with sharp enough hooks. Make sure you add a file to Matt's list of muskie stuff. -Eric
1:42 am
Oh, I will definitely keep you all posted as I said ... this year was just an unbelievable year for me, maybe just luck. I learned alot and had alot of small heart attacks when the monsters decided to come up and show the belly flop. As far as too light of tackle, I do agree with you guys on that especially using a 6'6" rod, just can't get the hook set with the bigger lures on long casts. The more posts I read here the more I see that most anglers in here are from more of the mid to south East of PA and NJ. I am in about the most NE part of PA as you can get. Also I would like to get into this tourn. for the MI50 club, but I think it may be a little to late. At the end of the year I located one specific hole that has atleast 3 different muskies in that were very active and virtually unpressured other than a few small mouth fisherman. The one that I did get a good look at looked to have about an 8" scar from a prop or something, he had to be pushing 4', which to me is a monster. If I knew how to post pictures I do have a few of the catches from last year stored away. I will probably not start fishing for them this year until about the beginning of may due to the small mouth run in March and April and then a couple weeks of trout. But you never know I am already getting the itch to go. Does anyone know what the Musky average on yearly growth? I am probably posting this on the wrong part of the forums, I think after any replies on this I will start on the questions page.
1:57 am
March 6, 2005
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I just picked up on another thing you said- not using a leader with the topwater spook since it always fouls. Try using a rigid wire leader. I mean completely stiff- not braided. This works on any walk the dog or erratic lures- topwater or sub-surface. The leader will always twitch the opposite direction of the lure, but never swing far enough back to pick up a treble hook.
In addition to trying some other baits with higher hooking percentages I would also stick with the topwater. You have had some success with it and therefore confidence. One adjustment I would make is a heavier wood topwater. There are a lot of baits that look and have the action of a spook, but since they are wood can weigh 2-4 ounces. These baits will be a lot less likely to be the first thing to fly out of the water when a big fish hits. Another topwater adjustment would be a straight line bait. Try a Top Raider or Pacemaker that has a prop. These baits can be fished faster to locate fish and have a better hook up percentage because they move in a straight predictable line. -Eric
2:13 am
I have actually tried the storm raider and they are just to much work (Heavy) with the 6'6" rod, I guess as long as your talking about that..... the raider seems to really get the muskies attention and has out performed the spook a few times, but the one thing I don't like about them is the stock hooks they put on them. they are like 12 guage wire for a house, seems like you would need the strentgh of a cherry tree to set the hook through the iron jaws the fish has. A guy that I fish with will not take this off his pole, unfortuneatly he did not catch any musky this year but he definitely had some hellish strikes on it, I know he uses a 6' rod and it is not as heavy action as the one I use so that is definitely his problem, he could just not get the massive hook to set. I told him to put the smaller hooks on it but he didn't. There is also another mimic raider out there that is almost identicle but I can't rememver the name of it.. the eye of the lures sits forward about 1/8 of an inch and the big hooks cannot reach the line, I think this might be a MFG flaw on the raider, but any how, both these lures are great and I will have to look into this rigid wire leader, the bad thing on that is that I have not lost a musky to broken line yet, just hooks coming out and total misses, but definitely will take that into consideration. Thanks
2:15 am
October 14, 2005
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FYI...All sound and experienced info from a couple of successful and knowlegable musky hunters! As it turns out, you aren't the only musky fisherman in Ne Pa. One of our members ( Musky Ed) lives up that way and we've fished a couple of those lakes. In fact a couple of years ago, we had our Chapter Tourny on Prompton, Lower Woods and Belmont Lakes. Good luck with your Musky Hunting and hope to see you at our Tourny in May.
Sometimes you've got to "jiggle' it, and sometimes you've got to give it one big
"jerk"
TEAM BLACKBERRY
2:32 am
GET OUT!!!, that is pretty cool. I too have fished all them lakes. Never for musky. This year will be a totally different story though. Is this tourn. or Tourneys posted and to only members of the MI50 club. I have actually seen a musky in Belmont and I heard this year that they stocked Lower woods with them. I was asked to go up last sunday ice fishing ... but not to sure about the ice yet.
3:05 am
March 6, 2005
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That's why I still multi-specie. If you are throwing true muskie baits all day- it takes it toll. Some guys break the day up by trolling, but the river doesn't allow for a lot of that. The big hooks that you are talking about are pretty standard issue on muskie baits. The key is BIG hook-sets- Bill Dance style with a little more attitude! The diameter of the hook is not a problem if the hooks are sharp. A big muskie will straighten out or break bass size hooks easily. The other advantage is that they have a larger hook gap which allows the hook to get around the "rim" of a muskie's jaw into the softer areas.
The biggest fish I ever caught had one hook in it. It was right at the tip of it's lower jaw- lodged directly through the hard cartilage. There was no way it was coming out without bolt cutters. More importantly, there is no way it would have ever been hooked with a smaller hook. It would not have had the strength to penetrate or have a deep and wide enough gap. A lot of this stuff seems like overkill and a lot of the time it is. 40" is about the size where these fish start to get serious. Every inch above that is pretty impressive with regard to weight and strength. You don't want to miss that big one because of light tackle. There just aren't that many big fish or opportunities in this area to risk it. -Eric
3:30 am
I see your point totally. I know the fish that I did catch were all like running the spooks hooks through grinder. The point you made about the gap making a difference is totally right and definitely makes sense and makes me want to step up with the pole action and size. I will also tell you the truth about all this chat, ... I am ready to go out right now! If I had more luck at night time I probably would fight the cold and ice and throw a few casts. Shaper hooks??? Should I sharpen the stock hooks or get new ones? Cause if that is the case I will use the raider and little more this year.
4:41 am
March 6, 2005
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I don't know of ANY out of the box hooks that are sharp enough. I would sharpen the existing ones. Use a flat fine file. When sharp enough, your lure should be able to "stick" to your thumb nail under it's own weight. If you drag it across your nail without pressure, it should leave a dust or powder-like trail.
Look at muskie tackle like a car. If you want to go fast you need a lot of horsepower. Once you have a lot of horsepower, now you need a lot of other things....a stronger transmission...a stronger rear...stickier tires....the list goes on and on. Find out what combinations work best for you.
Sounds like you've got a winter bug. If you really need to get out, there is some fishable water on the Delaware this time of year a little south of you. I just wouldn't throw topwater 😉 -Eric
5:08 pm
I thought the only thing in the were Trout.... The only familiar area of the Delaware I know of is in Deposit. I fish Cannonsville alot for smallmouth early spring, and used to fish the river for trout. I am not to familiar with the names of the branches E, W, N, S branch? But I know of people talking about monster Walleye and Stipers in one of them, I would guess that .. that is the branch I am looking for. I don't know many people that really just go out for the Musky, which is probably why I don't know any other areas that well. Now changing lures.... I think I am up to that challenge, for the record though I am a stubborn fisherman, Large mouth.. white Spinner Bait.. Trout.. gold #2 blue fox.. These two fish I have had huge success on and them lures never leave the pole all year. Small mouth are all over, from Tubes to chug bugs depending the time of year. Anyhow, do you know what part of the Delaware or what town it is near, cause I am always ready to explore and try new areas, especially if it involves a musky. I mostly fish from shore and cover alot of area fast, I like to call it run and gun fishing or basically locating for another trip. I do have access to a boat if that is what it takes, my buddy is into it as much if not more although he has alot more $$ tied up into equipment and is a good fisherman hooked on the raider.
6:59 pm
May 11, 2004
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A couple additional comments...
You want to contact Rollie and Helen's: http://www.muskyshop.com to request their 2008 catalog. They are usually sent out around March/April. This catalog is one of the best resources available IMO to learn about proper muskie gear. I would be embarrassed to know how many hours I spend a year going through this catalog.
Never skimp on gear, you never want to loose a muskie because you have a deficit somewhere in your setup. There are just not enough opportunities to catch these great fish.
After loosing a fish a couple years ago on a lure that I didn't sharpen the hooks on, I am now an obsessive compulsive hook sharpener. If your hook doesn't grind into your finger nail when "gently" sliding it across its not sharp enough.
Daniel McCann
8:39 pm
May 19, 2004
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How do you guys find the time to keep these hooks sharp? I have about 90 baits, each with 9 hook points gives me a total of 810 points to sharpen. Even at 1 minute a point it's 13.5 hours without a break! I just don't have the time!
Barry
We may only see what we look for.
9:21 pm
April 29, 2007
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Sharpening hooks is a pain in the you know what. I try to get them all sharp before heading to my fishing spot. While on the water, yes, a certain percentage of my time is spent sharpening hooks. When it's raining, the hooks are re-sharpened throughout the day. It's just a routine, like checking the drag, leader (I use flouro), line for knicks, etc...
After a while, it just becomes second nature, I can't make more than a couple of casts with a lure anymore if I'm not 100 % sure those hooks are sticky. As few fish as I tie into, I need all the advantage I can get. 😉
Tim
Team MTF
10:05 pm
Barry I sharpen my hooks before work each morning the week before fishing
3:05 am
August 28, 2007
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Since I got the Musky Monster tackle box it keeps the hooks real nice and sharp. Once you got them sharp it will keep them that way longer, they don't get all messed up, like in the clear plastic trays. It made a huge difference they're not constantly rubbing and dulling each other. I check them before tying on and usually still run a file over them, they can never be to sharp.
ITS NOT THE SIZE OF YOUR BOAT
ITS THE SIZE OF WHATS ON YOUR BUMPBOARD!
M.T.F
6:26 pm
Not sure but I think I will try a dremmel on the hooks, might speed things up but I am not sure how it is going to work yet. I have a few musky killers to sharpen. I believe that my first outing is going to be this weekend either on the chenango river or the old faithful susquehanna, waters are high, cold, fast, and still have ice chunks through out. Is there any chance I might be able to get a fish to surface this time of year?
6:33 pm
And, thanks dmccann for the catalog info, I called and was put on mailing list for 2008...
2:37 am
March 19, 2004
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duber8 wrote:
Not sure but I think I will try a dremmel on the hooks, might speed things up but I am not sure how it is going to work yet. I have a few musky killers to sharpen. I believe that my first outing is going to be this weekend either on the chenango river or the old faithful susquehanna, waters are high, cold, fast, and still have ice chunks through out. Is there any chance I might be able to get a fish to surface this time of year?
Nothing beats a good old fashion hook file/ flat bastard file (I love saying that), I would not recommend using a dremel tool.
Just my 2, Jeff
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
˙˙˙ssɐ ʎɯ ssıʞ uɐɔ plɹoʍ ǝloɥʍ ǝɥʇ os 'uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯ ʎɹnq ʎǝɥʇ ǝdoɥ ı
-------------------------------------------------~ >')))))))))))><
5:41 pm
worked pretty well, just not sure if I lost some of the hook strength, and length, I think I will stick to the "flat bastard file" as suggested.
6:38 pm
I tell you what when you have no way to fish because of high ice filled waters, your hooks tend to get sharp and poles tend to get cleaned up with new line, but still just collect dust.
11:57 pm
March 4, 2014
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Hi Duber,
I'm also a Noreaster ( Lake Winola Falls area) thats passionate about muskie fishing.
Mostly limited to fishing lakes due to the size of my boat but am working at downsizing in the next year or two.
It's often convenient to have another guy in the boat to help net Mr. Toothy. I know this from experience as my one man band tried to manage a rod and net at Lackawanna Lake last season only to finally loose a small tiger boatside. PM me if interested in connecting to do some fishing this year.
The MI-50 guys offer a lot of good advice and do a lot to perpetuate the muskie fishery throughout Eastern PA. I was going to follow my wive's suggestion for a psychological evaluation until I realized there were actually other "Muskie Nuts" and am otherwise "NORMAL"
{[{[
+o________
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Kevin T.
12:57 am
Hiya doing Kevin, I am always interested in Musky fishing. I really don't have the first idea what to use in a lake, but I think anything with action has to attract them. I do plan on hitting a couple lakes around here this year maybe pick up on a few tips. I will keep in touch. I just hope I make it out of this winter daze I'm in.
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