woohoo musky!!!!

[hypox]

I went musky fishing with 2 friends yesterday. All of us had never caught one or even tried to before. We just thought it might be fun to try. well, after about 15 minutes of being there my one friend hooked and landed a 36 inch musky!!! It was awesome. That was the only fish we caught in about 4 hours fishing but it made it all worth while. He was casting a deep diving rapala in about 10 to 15 foot of water just a little ways outside of a weed bed. we tried trolling for a while but had no luck. I was wondering If anyone had any suggestions on time of day, baits, depths, just about everything really. I fish a lot but have very limited knowledge on muskys. Any help would be great, I want to catch one of these gators.....thanks

[Steve]

Fishing muskies out there is a whole science in itself, one that I know nothing about, but congrats on your first.

[shooter921]

The ave total fishing hours before people catch muskie is around 175 hrs! You did well and got pretty lucky.

80

[burbotman]

I caught a 25" musky(promptly released)on a crappie jig in the spring:D "The fish of a thousand casts" is pure BS.They bite when they want to-just like your average walleye.:rolleyes:

[hypox]

well, I don't know I'm sure there was a bit of luck involved:) Anyways it really got my blood pumping, I'm ready to learn all I can about them, so with skill, information, and luck hopefully I'll be posting a pic of a 20 pounder:)

[jacondie]

Hypox,

Where were you fishing, and what kind of tackle were you using???

I too caught my first muskie in Lake St. Clair (unfortunately trolling and not casting) about 3 weeks ago -- now I'm addicted! I'm looking for good muskie water on the west side of the state. CONGRATS!

[Cable]

Welcome to the fever I have had it for about 10 years infact I just got back from Wisconsin last night and I plan on moving there this fall because the Musky lakes in Mi. are to far apart.

A good place to start is with Musky Hunter and Esox Angler mags. They also have web sites good ones are muskiecentral.com, muskiefirst.com and muskyhunter.com. Also be ready to spend alot of money on lures the best luck I have had with is Rollie and Hellin's musky shop at muskyshop.com

Good luck because you will need it. When we got to Wi. on sat. the temps were 90 when we woke up sun. they were in the high 30's and didn't go above the 60's till wed. and we left thur. morning and didn't have a hit or a follow all week so be prepaird for disapointment. If there is any other way I can help please e-mail me. I can also give you the names of some good guides to try.

[jimbos43]

http://www.muskie-lures.com/rocketman/index1.htm

[shooter921]

I hope I can get as lucky as hypox here. I will be testing my luck this weekend!!

80

[JD]

hypox,


Welcome to one of the biggest challenges known to fishing. When I moved to the U.P. in 1992 I spent three years fishing the Tahquamenon River every day I had off for musky and when I started catching them I could not stop. When I started fishing the river the size limit was 30” they have raised it to 42” and some monster fish are growing around here now. I have never fished a lake for musky so I can not help much their but I have found when a storm front is moving in and the water is choppy while other fishermen where heading for shore I started fishing harder. I don’t know what it is about a storm but it turns the musky on like a light switch. This is very dangerous but does work. I actually caught two of my biggest fish one being 44” 21 lbs. on a six inch jointed perch color rapala. You can use just about anything on these fish large or small lures it all depends on what they want. You might spend hours finding the right lure and color but when you do fish hard and long. Cover as much water as you can and if a fish follows and does not want to bite mark the spot and come back for him later, musky are territorial and will hang around the same area. Listen to what the others have posted and do some reading Musky Hunter is a great magazine to learn from. If you ever come up to the U.P. and want to hit the river give me a call.

Jim

[hypox]

well guys,
Thanks for all your help. I think I'm heading out this weekend. The lake we went to was bankston. I've heard some stories about some big ones in there. If I have any luck I'll post all the fishing details.

[hypox]

Two days ago I went back to bankston lake to try muskie fishing again. I was useing a big spinner and after about 15 minutes I felt a bump, then when my lure got next to the boat there was a HUGE muskie with his nose about 1 inch behind the spinner. I did a couple figure 8's in the water but he just turned around and swam back slowly. I was freaking out, my friend saw him too. We continued to fish in different places then went back close to that same spot. I was useing a dardevil this time...after a few casts I saw one follow my lure again!! I'm not sure if it was the same one...but It was another huge one...I'm guessing 40-45 inches. Anyways he got close to the boat and darted away this time.. I was bummed he wouldn't bite but was thrilled just to see 2 of them like that. Hopefully he or another one will bite soon:)

[shooter921]

Hypox, you are having some good luck this year. Hopefully next time you land one.

80

[Jackson Musky Man]

Good job guys. Many have asked questions about lakes and such.
Here are some of the best mid Michigan muskie lakes.

1. Thornapple
2. Bankson
3. Lake Hudson
4. Campau
5. Sanford
6. Murry

Michigan has 2 Muskie clubs with a bunch of great guys. It is the Michigan Muskie Alliance and Michigan Muskie Hunters. I do the web site for the Michigan Muskie Alliance. Visit http://www.geocities.com/michiganmuskiealliance for more information. There is a bunch of muskie pictures, a forum and a catch log for this year. You do not need to be a member to log fish catches. Just follow the instructions to get you fish logged.

"Catch a Babe, Throw a Hoginator"