Dire need of help Muskie fishing!

[FLiP6735]

I'm trying to get prepared for the coming Muskie season, and in order of improving my luck this year, was wondering if anyone wouldn't mind evaluating my strategies. :help: I wouldn't mind a few suggestions either! ;)

I'll start by explaining how bad I need it! Although I had fun trying, out of approximately 15-20 trips trolling for Muskies last year, I only caught three! :smile-mad One was about 15 inches, one was about 8 lbs, and the last was about 12-15 lbs. If you can imagine, this was quite discouraging to say the least. Most days, after several hours of trolling, I would end up walleye fishing out of pure frustration of not catching anything. Then I would go home, check out the forum, and read report after report of people catching up to 10 Muskies a day, up to 35 or so lbs! (grrr....) That combined with the constant reminder in my head telling me how Lake St. Clair is tagged as the "best Muskie fishing lake in the world!," really got me upset, but in a good way cause it usually motivated me to try harder, which still didn't really get me anywhere. So this year I figure I'll first try to battle what I'm doing wrong.

There are several things that I probably do different due to lack of, or different equipment, but nothing that had me believing I couldn't catch a few fish a day, maybe even a 30 lber. Evidently I was wrong. My rod holders only extend at a 90 degree angle, so from these I only fished long rods. Also, I don't have planer boards (a worthwhile investment? I'm starting to think so...what do you all think?), but I do have downriggers, and often tried fishing with those (never got one fish on the 'riggers...). With the long rods I fished 20 lbs main line mono, and then rigged the leaders pretty much like this - http://www.muskie-lures.com/rocketman/leader.jpg - except I used a ball sinker, and fished a variety of lures, with the sinker and distance away from the boat varying. On the downriggers I also tried a bunch of different methods, from fishing the lures high to low, close and far from the boat. These were all fished from 3 - 6 mph.

VERY open to suggestions on the above!

A few questions of my own - any specific lures that are a MUST-own? Could my leader have an effect? I'm not sure how spooky muskie are - is it worth it to switch to fluoro? How heavy? Thank you very much for any help! I just hope to improve my trips to fish ratio this year! :D

[stealydawn]

there are very terratorial and can be very aggressive feeders. I have actually caught them trolling, dropping the lure only 10' behind the boat. The key's are, finding active fish, and tickim off, in that order. The larger the bait the better chances that you'll catch musky and not northerns.

[Fishnnut]

:dizzy:
I only went out about 10 times and only 2 fish 1 big pike and one small muskie.
I would sure like to go out and watch you guys once.
I have the wrong boat for this anyway.
Speedboat. loud 454. for sale
Do any of you guys fish from a aluminum boat for Ski's?

[ESOX]

I use a 17 1/2' Starcraft Superfisher. Works well as a casting platform, OK as a trolling boat, but I could sure use more room for trolling.

[Gone Fishing]

I would say planer boards are a must especially if your looking for numbers. Downrods and the rest of the boat rods tend to do better for me on rougher days but the the boards take the majority of fish as a rule. Loke and Wiley baits do well for me and the natural colors (Perch, Frog etc.) are usually a good place to start. Try not to run your baits too deep. Muskie are sight feeders with eyes on the top of their head (looking up). I usually run my baits back off the boards 20 - 50 ft. and only use 1 -4 oz. of lead. The downrods, I run tight to the boat maybe 10 foot back with 8 - 16 oz. of lead. I use Big Game mono in green and is 60 lb. test. I could go on for awhile but my boss is looking for me to get some work done today! :p Good luck!

[ahartz]

I also would consider the places you fish for the beast. For example, if I don't get a hit at the dumping grounds in 90 minutes I pull and go off the Grosse pointe Yacht Club, or up the channel and fish near the LSC light. you can cover alot of water in 90 min's. if they arent there, go somewhere else..then go back to where you started....also I would prefer a choppy day over a calm day. SW wind 10-20, low ceiling, gray clouds..mid july....let's go fishin!
these are also the days the lake is used by fisherman only and sailors I suppose. ...also read homer Leblanc's book...andy

[Downrod]

Keep your baits clean
Tune your lures
don't fish too deep
Planer boards will help you catch more fish
20 lb mono is light for trolling. the line takes alot of stress pulling big plugs.
3 mph is generally too slow
6 mph is usually too fast.
try 6 oz 20 ft
try 1 lb 10 ft ( not with 20 lb mono)
Fish a variety of depths until you find fish
Buy a Canadian license

[Fishnnut]

:cool:
I already have my Canadian License from my Simocoe trip this winter.
Atleast I have that cost out of the way.
Now I need some more lures and a new boat.
I do fish near the Dumps or in front of GPYC in 12 to 16 ft of water.
Can't wait to try the Belle river hump and some of those other areas.
Do you guys have good luck in Mitchells bay?
I have caught them on Tubes in the Summer, 1 for 2 and have seen some monsters over there.

[FLiP6735]

Wow guys, thank you very much for all of the advice you've shared. Do you guys think that engine sound scares the fish at all? I don't have a fishing boat, but rather a 24 foot Four Winns with an inboard Volvo motor, so its not like a quiet trolling motor. Anyway, thanks a lot again. Maybe this is my break-out year! I'll get a hold of it yet, and I'll let you guys know when!

[Gone Fishing]

Naw, don't worry about engine noise. Sometimes running a big bait right in the prop wash bubbles and turbulance will take fish and it's usually a good one! :)

[mallardtone-man]

Gone Fishing, I have heard this also. I have not purposely tried it, but once in Canda when we were running from a storm, my brothers spoon came undone and dropped into the water right behind the boat (still attached to the rod), a monster pike nailed it probably less than 5 ft from the prop.

[ESOX]

Muskie scared of noise? Nope. Two years ago a buddy and I decided to take a break from chucking 4oz. baits on a steamy late July afternoon. We headed to Peache Island and I dropped the anchor. My buddy jumped in off the bow and made a huge splash. When he hit the water a nice muskie came charging across the flat right towards him, thinking it had found something to eat. It turned away when it was only 10' or so from my buddy, and he never saw it. Never could get that thing to reappear despite tossing everything but the outboard out there.

[FLiP6735]

You guys are great and have been extremely helpful, thanks a lot. However, if you guys don't mind, I still have several questions:

1) To Gone Fishing - when you say you use green 60 lb. Big Game mono, are you talking main line or leader?

2) If I was considering planer boards, and I think I would rather purchase them simply because I've been pretty busy lately, what kind would you all recommend? Are there boards that work well in different situations, like boards that I can use to run big baits for muskie and small baits for walleye? And how do I go about getting these out? What kind of line do I use, and what do I need to crank 'em in? Is there anything that doesn't have to be mounted to my boat for this? Is it possible to fish the boards off of a seperate rod with a big enough reel to hold the right amount and proper kind of line?

[Gone Fishing]

As far as main line, I use 30 lb. mono on my planer board lines and 40 lb. on my boat rods. The 60 lb. is leader material that is used on all lines. I have posted plans for a very good set of big boards here on the site. If your too busy and don’t know someone who can build them for you, a friend of mine could probably help you out. Call Rod Rogus at 1 800 462-9968. He makes a great set of Mahogany boards. Mine and his are basically the same design but I spend way too much time on the non-important inlays and such. Here is a decription, plans and a pic of some of mine.

Below is a sketch of the port side board although through the scanning process much detail was lost. If you can't make out something, ask and I'll try to clarify.
Material for 1 set of boards is as follows:
(1) 4/4 Honduras Mahogany rough sawn x 10 ft. long - plane a minimum off each side to just to clean up. Keep thickness as close to 1 in. as possible.
The following hardware is required -Stainless Steel is preferred
(6) 3/8 - 16 threaded rods x 18 in. long (18 in. will give the proper board spacing)
(24) 3/8 - 16 nuts and washers
(12) 3/8 lock washers
(2) ¼ - 20 eyebolts with 1 ¾ to 2 inches of thread
(4) ¼ -20 nuts and washers
(2) ¼ lock washers

Note: on the bottom sketch, I forgot to show a nut on each side of the board for the threaded rod and eyebolt but these need to be there for proper fastening.
Also, the sketches are for the port side board. The starboard side is a mirror image but remember to cut the 45 degree angle on the lead edge in the opposite direction.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/2049PB1aa.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/2049PB2aa.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/2049Planer_boards.jpg

These boards will work for Muskie, Salmon, Walleye any other species that planer boards are used. Most everybody uses some type of planer board mast or reels mounted high on the forward half of the boat. Theoretically, you would like to have the main line to the boards as far forward and as high as practical. Big Jon has several models, manual or motorized mast type or reels that could be mounted to a hardtop, arch or something sturdy up high on the boat. Typically, most guys use 200 lb. test Dacron or weed wacker line as a main line to the boards. I usually put 150 feet of line on each reel. Here is a link to Big John masts and reels:
http://www.bigjon.com/store/planer.asp
I personally do not have much experience using in-line boards (Yellow Bird type) so I not sure if they would work using the hard pulling baits that are used for Muskie but the big boards can handle at least 4 lines with big baits per side without a problem. Hope this helps a little. Now go get some boards and pop a Hawg! Good luck.
John

[Fishnnut]

Thats what I want.
Maybe someday.
:rolleyes:
Can't wait for June!!!!! :p

[ESOX]

Tiara? Nope, not only couldn't I afford to feed it, but I spend a lot more time running around casting to specific spots trollers can't fish. A small boat is a big advantage for that.

[FLiP6735]

Thanks a lot! Since its usually only myself and one or two other people, I think I may get planers on only one side. That way, if I wanted to, I could get 4 lines on that set of planers, than 2 boatrods on each side. So a total of up to 8 rods out! That sounds great, looks like I'm really making some progress here!

Gone Fishing - you say you use green Big Game as leader material - do you find the green draws more strikes or fits better with the water? Or is it just something you've been doing for awhile? Especially on clear days, the leader probably makes at least a little bit of a difference, and I'm trying to maximize my chances from any angle, so I figured I would ask. Thanks again!

[Gone Fishing]

Although Muskie are probably not very leader shy, the green seems to be less visible to me. I've used clear in the past and I can't say I noticed any significant increase in hits using either. I may experiment with florocarbon this year but I'm guessing I won't notice much difference with that either except in my wallet. :lol: :p

[ESOX]

John, I have a spool of 80# floro coming, I'll be tying up some leaders as soon as it comes. What do you use, 5'?

[Gone Fishing]

That sounds about right! Maybe we can try an experiment and put the same baits and weight off each side with different leaders. As soon as a bait catches a fish, switch leaders and try to determine if it was the bait action or possibly the leader. That will be the day I get skunked no doubt! :p

[ESOX]

I muskie fish as much as neccessary in the name of science.;)

[ahartz]

regarding engine noise...I have always heard lake st. clair musky folklore that the thump thump of V-8 engines through the hull and down into the water actually ATTRACTS muskys. The are inquisitive creatures and why not, they eat most things they respond to and nothing else eats them so theres no real danger of attacks on prey that isnt there. ..muskys and LSC..happy happy...andy

[FLiP6735]

Cool, thanks Andy. Thats good to know because I was always a little hesitant about trolling baits close to the boat because I wasn't sure how muskie's responded to that. I know that a lot of pelagic ocean species are attracted to diesel engines, but wasn't sure about here....after all, people say they catch most fish on planer boards, which spreads the baits away from the boat, so I figured they were boat shy.

[Downrod]

Nothing like the drone of a straight inboard V8 engine at 1200 rpms against a wood lapstrake hull. music to my ears and a dinner bell to the muskies.

[ahartz]

Yea I saw that about planer boards and I am not sure I agree that most fish come on the planers. You HAVE TO run atleast one if not two rods in close. I mean close...like you can take the rod out of the holder and lift it and the bait comes out of the water. right behind the boat, right along side, we do both...andy

[ESOX]

It depends on the conditions. On sunny and calm days, boards will outfish the other rods 4:1