landing big muskys

[Hooky]

Can't seem to get a musky over 4' into the boat. I had four chances over the last two years to land a trophy musky but even after a good hook set they seem to spit it out when they jump out of the water. I try to keep the tension on the line but there is no way they are coming anywhere near the boat. Any suggestions on how to keep the hook in their mouth after they thrash and go crazy when they jump out of the water?? Thanks

[Skyman]

Keep your rod tip down or even in the water.

[TECK]

I lost a nice fish last weekend. Same thing. It was still a lot of fun.

[JoyofESOX]

Skyman is right about trying to keep them from jumping by keeping your rod tip down in the water, works for alot of people. I myself have a real trouble thinking when I hook a big fish so my suggestion is longer rods they help keep tension on the fish and the added leverage makes up for our(fishermen) mistakes.

[Otter]

Be sure your hooks are extremely sharp. That might help a bit.

[HerbB]

"T"ing your hooks on your big cranks and jerk baits can help quite a bit too.

Steve Heiting told me about the putting the rod under the water when the fish comes to the surface. He also said to crank down hard on the line to force their head under the water. Said Joe Bucher taught him that.

Good fishing.

[kmon]

I was having the same problem last year. Then I switched rods and haven't lost a big gal since (all three of 'em). So it might be your rod is too stiff. I went to a softer tip fenwick. the big fish really head shake and I think they used the stiffness of the heavier tip rod to either rip the hook out (ouch) or get slack on the line as they pulled out drag from the heavy rod and then spit the hook out. I don't know why, but as soon as I switched I went 5 for 5 without a fish lost (bought the rod thursday and went out saturday for a 5 fish day including a 49").

Hope this helps. Kmon

[EyeSlayer]

Try free-spoolin'!!