Muskie Fishing 101. Advice Please!?

[Only_Weeds]

I'm going up north in July to visit a relative. I also want to try muskie fishing for the first time while I'm there. My relatives are not big fisherman so they wouldn't know anything about muskie fishing.

For you muskie fisherman out there, I need some advice.

Rod: length, power, what brand do you like, are there special rods for muskie?

Reel: I'm using a Shimano Cardiff. OK?

Line: Braid, mono or flouro, how about leaders, special muskie lines?

Lures: what are some of your best topwaters, swimaits, cranks, etc.

Anything else you think would be helpful, please include.

Thanks to all who reply.

[plmmr16]

I am a fishing fanatic who fishes with fairly cheap equipment and basically just knows how to catch fish with what I have. I have done limited muskie fishing in Big Creek Lake in Colorado and this is what I used to catch a few, nothing huge like what is in the water where you are going:

Rod: I use a medim action 6' rod but the longer the rod the better for muskie for extra leverage when setting the hook and if you will be fishing from the shore, the longer rod equals longer casting distance.

Reel: Your reel is similar to mine, should be fine, just make sure your drag is set properly for when that Muskie realizes he's been snagged and takes off with your line like a tugboat dragging an oceanliner.

Line: I use 8lb. mono, but to be safe maybe use 10-12lb. braid for stronger and deeper running line and consider steel leaders for those sharp teeth, but if the fish aren't biting, they may be line shy of the leader, go without.

Lures: My lucky lures were a red and white Daredevil and a brown trout colored 3/8oz. Kastmaster. I have had luck with crawdad rubber jigs and Rapala jerkbaits (silver/gray). Figure out the other species of fish in the waters that you will be fishing and try to find lures that replicate the colors of those fish. Never caught a Muskie with a topwater lure, but I have caught a Pike with a cheap $1 bargain topwater lure and was one of the greatest rushes ever to see the shadow come up from the depths and just hammer the lure.

The water will be warm enough at that time of year that your best bet is to go for deep water fishing during the heat of the day or along steep dropoffs around cliffs and rocks. In the morning, try the inlet area of the lake or around grassy/marshy areas. If river fishing, slow or shallow water during the cold times of the day and fast or deep water during warm times of the day. And if you just feel like sitting back and drinking a beer, throw out some sucker meat on a sharp treble hook about 5-10 ft. off the bottom.

My muskie exp. is way different than what you'll be doing, but since nobody else was answering, I figured I'd throw in my experience. Good luck, Happy Fishing!!