Canada

[shooter921]

Has anyone fished in Canada? How did you do? I am going there in 2 or 3 weeks to go fishing for a few days, and we are gonna do some muskie fishing along with bass, pike, and trout. The thing is I don't know what to use for muskie, I have never caught one in my life and neither has anyone we have gone with. Should we just use what we were going to for the pike? Or is there something else, or better. Heck if it doesn't work out we might just get a guide, I want one bad!

80

[jimbos43]

Assuming your casting, I would say, go BIG for muskies, big bucktails, big jerk baits, big spinners. goodluck

[shooter921]

Thanks Jimbos!

80

Yes, I would say go BIG! Also, don't just go big on baits...go big on tackle! Stout tackle and big reels are best, it enhances the power to be brutal on these fish, and leave you fishing, not standing there with a rod that's snapped, line that's freyed, and a disappointing look on your face when you couldn't land the beast! This is my opinion, if you don't want to spend money, renting may be best! How stout is that pike gear!???:rolleyes: Anyways, if you have a 6 - 7ft. rod, heavy action, graphite preferably rod (inshore saltwater rods work too) then it will be perfect for jerkbaits and cranks, as well as spinners. Livebait and using heavy weights or floats demands a rod that is less stiff, because if you run quick strike rigs, you have to set the hook as hard as you can. The jerkbait rod will work if you have one rod, but if you have two, or happen to buy another, a rod that is 7 1/2 - 8ft., with a slower action, and fiberglass or graphite will be best here. Another thing is wire leaders, and tough line. Superlines, Spectras, and Braided line is the most popular. I like Berkley Fireline or Whiplash. The whiplash is braided, tough, easy to handle, has no stretch and with a 30lb. test strength, it is equal to a 6lb. diameter of mono. Now I don't have all the answers, but these are just suggestions in my opinion. Hey, Pete Mania is the guy to talk to about this. You can go to Bass Pro Shops and look at their Muskie series rods and reels made by him, since he is a Muskie machine. You could probably find his # and call him with specific questions. Well I hope you land a big one!!!!;)

[shooter921]

Thanks for the info. I do have 2 8' poles I intend on bring with me. Will a 20lb test line work? If not I will get new line. Its a little old and I should replace it anyway. I will actually. I have the steal leaders, but how long should they be? Mine are from 6"-10", is that enough or longer? Are muskies a deep water fish? Because I know when I am bass fishing along the shore I catch some nice size pike in shallow water. Is that the same with muskie?

80

[Bucktail]

20# line will work but that would be as small as I would go. I prefer 24# test 12# diameter spiderwire fusion. the shorter leaders are ok if your casting. Later in the summer the muskies tend to be suspended a bit deeper but you can sometimes find them in the shallows.

Good Luck