Getting Started

[JetJockey13]

Just considering getting into the Muskie scene on Lake St Clair...What baits would you guys recommend to have on hand to get me started?

All of my gear is geared toward bass and now walleye trolling.

Thanks in advance,

JetJock

[AllenW]

How much money do you want to spend?
And are you casting or trolling or both?

al

[JetJockey13]

I have my trolling gear for Eyes that I can Convert to Muskie as needed/ wanted but I am hoping to cast as well.

Not cost prohibitive at this point. Trying to get an idea of where to start with baits as I already have a few casting rods/reels in mind.

[hunterjoe]

You're not going to want to troll for muskies with bass/walleye gear. But muskie trolling gear doesn't HAVE to be expensive. The issue is the lures are going to pull way too hard at 3+ mph for those rods to hold out.

As for baits, bucktails and rubber (medusa's, bulldawgs) are king out there. I don't know what the hot trolling baits are so can't help you there.

[JetJockey13]

7 ft med planer board rods with Cabelas depth master reels (size 30) wont do the trick you dont think?

[zeebee]

Where and when do you plan on chasing them?

[JetJockey13]

Not sure I will get the stuff together in time for this season but if I do it will be out in Lake St Clair, in Michigan waters.

[hunterjoe]

Originally Posted by JetJockey13

7 ft med planer board rods with Cabelas depth master reels (size 30) wont do the trick you dont think?

Reels might be okay, rods won't. And I'm guessing you don't have the right line on them if they're walleye rods. I don't use mono for trolling skis but I wouldn't use less than 50 lb. I use 80 lb braid and I'm guessing your walleye trolling reels aren't anywhere close to that. Hate for you to go out with 12 lb mono pulling a $25 lure and one rip and gone in a fish's mouth.

Can you catch them CASTING on bass gear? Absolutely and I've caught a few doing so. Trolling is a different animal however. The strain on the rod/reel is much greater.

[JetJockey13]

Ok. Yeah, I am running 30lb power pro on my reels. Will have to pick up some heavier stuff for sure.

Now on to baits...if there were 5 baits you would carry, which ones?

Casting and trolling.....as I am looking to do both essentially.

[hunterjoe]

Shallow Invader
double cowgirl or JR.
Mag dawg (pounder preferred)
Some form of shallow crank in the 10" range, (Slammer, Custom X, Big Game, etc)
Tail prop topwater (top raider, Lake X, Twisted Sister, etc.)