I have never fished muskies before, so I'd like a little help getting started. I generally fish for 'eyes (catch and release anything over 4lbs), crappies (tasty), sunnies (good at a fry) and an occasional bass trip.

What rod/reel could get me started, a lake in the Twin Cities area and two to three lures. Also, what size fish would you consider getting a replica made?

Rod?
Reel?
Line?
2-3 Baits?
Special net or landing device (I have a walleye sized net)?
Any other must have accessories?
Best way to hold and then release a big fish?
Lake?

I'm full of excitement and if I get good feedback I'll be on a lake this weekend - in the hunt.

Thanks,
Rick

I started with my Quantum flipping stick with a Abu 5600 reel, I already had this stuff for Bass fishing. For lures I make almost all my own Bucktails, but I started out bying a lure every payday and every time I would buy a different type of lure. With winter coming it's a great time to stockup and alot of times you can get clearence stuff for a good deal. As far as a rod, Gander mountain has thier guide series rods and you can get a good muskie rod for about $50, get a Abu 6500 for about another $70 and whatever line you want for $10 - $40, it's up to you on what line you want but stick to the name brands and you'll be OK. Remember you don't have to spend all you're money on this stuff.

Really the best think to do is to stop in a shop like Thorne Bro's in Fridley. They specialize in Musky Equipment and can help you pick out decent equipment. That being said you need at a minimum.

1 good rod/reel setup, a 7 to 7 1/2 foot rod will be a good starting point, the Abu reels are a good value for their price range, and the previosly recomended Gander Mtn rods are a good place to start.

Spool your reel with a good quality super braid in the 60 to 80lb test range using 6 to 10 lb mono for backing,Thornes can do this for you off of bulk spools.

A couple of good steel leaders and know the right knot to attatch them with, a Polomar works fine. Spare hooks and a hook sharpening file...keep em sharp!!!!! or cry later.

Release tools ...IMPORTANT , at a minimum, Long nose pliers or a long nose Hookout and some heavy cutters for cutting out hooks, hopefully you get to cut the hooks out of the fish and not YOU !!!! Leather gloves for your hands are also a good idea.

A bigger Net or Cradle if you plan on landing the fish in this manner.
Remember to keep the fish IN THE WATER while unhooking, pulling the fish to the bottom of the boat is pretty much a death sentence.
You can also water release by hand grabbing and unhooking at boatside.


Three lures.........thats the tough part, probably a whole new tread.... but one topwater such as a Topraider.... a good bucktail, even though the season is coming to a close for effective use on b.tails and a good Jerkbait will get you started, try a Phantom, great on metro lakes.

A good camera so you can get a picture of you and your first Big Green Pig.

The trophy is in the eye of the beholder, a picture may be all you need, a replica $$$$ can translate into lots of shinny new tackle.

Good luck have fun!

Bob Turgeon

The 6500 abu is a great place to start.
The rod length is a personal preference
but I would go with at least a 7fter.
Good starter lures would be: black/orange bucktail...A classic
suick or bobbie bait...solid performers
8 or 10" Jake...one of my favortites.
Topraider....covers alot of water.
Good luck!

There are many good metro Muskie lakes around to choose from. On the NE side, theres White Bear and Bald Eagle. On the west side there is Independence and Minnetonka. Waconia has decent fish too. There are quite a few tiger lakes around too like Long Lake along 694 and Crystal in Burnesville. I'd recommend getting a Metro Lakes and/or MN Muskie Lake map guide. You can pick one up at Gander Mountain. If it isn't to far of a drive, I'd recommend Minnetonka. Its an easy lake to fish and there are lots of bonus fish to keep one interested.

And you're going to learn that the biggest challenges are the tough times when you can't even find a single Muskie. It will get very frustrating at times, but keep in mind it is for all of us. Just gotta stick at it and eventually the fish will be there.

Good luck.

My first Muskie came out of Long Lake in New Brighton. Scared the crap out of me considering how unprepared I was. Always was an underfished lake in the early 90's with a great park and trail system to make for a good day out with the family.

Good luck with just one rod / reel combo and a couple of lures. Started this less than 3 weeks ago and just passed $1000.00. I just wanted enough to get thru this fall. Of course I've actually got little more than that, too, just enough to make it thru this fall! After today I can already see a couple more lures being added to my takle box. Note: 2 undersized fish to the boat and 2 nice follows. Wait till you see that 40 plus inch shadow several feet below your lure and it just slinks into the darkness under the boat!

For a reel I would get an abu garcia 5600 or 6500 (C3, C4, or ultra cast) I personally i have a 5600 and a 6500 and the 5600 isn't near as good. For line go w/ 50-100 lb superbraid, may be expensive but dang, this stuff does not break. For lures its tough w/ just a couple, but I'm sure you'll get hooked and buy more lures later on.:) I would get a couple trolling crankbaits like a depthraider, believer, jake, ect. A good bucktail or two. You can make 5 for the price of buying 2. Although they haven't done much for me, a good topwater like a topraider or creeper would be good to have. Jerkbaits seem to be a favorite of a lot of people. Suicks and bobbie baits are always good. I also like the super shad rap. Make sure you get the biggest net you can afford. I have a 30x30 and some fish just barely fit. The bigger the net, the easier to remove hooks and get the fish back in the water. for releasing and holding the fish, there is a good article at http://www.muskies101.com

Good luck catching one! It may be hard and take time, but its well worth it!





-Zach Schuler

One more thing.........WARM CLOTHES !!!!!!!!!!!

I just got into Muskie fishing this year myself. I use an ABU 6500 C3 on a Quantum 7-1/2' flipping stick. I can cast those big muskie baits a mile with this set-up. I can't really add anything to the choice of lures. One thing that is a must have is a good pair of polarized sunglasses. It makes those followers much easier to see. And they might just save your eyes if you ever get wacked in the face when a muskie spits one of those big baits.