Muskie Fisherman

I have fished for pike many years and now I have a reservoir near my house with Tiger Muskies. It is about 8,000 ft. elevation.

Are muskies a lot similar to pike as far as behavior? I am wondering what tackle to use for good early season fishing. For pike I have had the best luck with floating minnow rapalas right when the ice is off. Any tips and techniques appreciated.

I'm a huskie fisherman. I have a lake by my house but it's only about 5000 ft. Don't know about no pike but us huskie guys like a nice comfy chair in the boat so we don't get a sore back. Best tip i got! lol

Pretty similar. When does the season open where you're at? Back in Wisconsin the season usually opens the 3rd Saturday in May so when I used to fish for 'em the ice was always off, temps. were warmer and the spawn was done. Always used some type of superline (spiderwire, fireline, etc.), at least 50, sometimes up to 80lb test so I didn't have to replace the line later in the year, with a 12"-15" 100-150lb test leader. Smaller lures- anything to "match the hatch" so to speak- minnowbaits, smaller bucktails, even spinnerbaits. If it's pretty cold (earlier in May),you'll need to downsize to slower presentations/retrieves. Set up your baitcaster w/ 25lb and use jigs with large redtail chubs near the weededges if you like using livebait. If you get followers on the swimbaits but no takers make sure you have a rod rigged with a follow-up lure, usually some sort of large soft plastic (tube or minnowbait).

We have tiger muskies here in NC in the New River. I fished for those things for about three summers and hooked up 4 times but never landed one. They have to be a min of 30" here to be keepers and all the ones I hooked were way over 30" Its hard to fight a fish that large against the flow of the river. I hooked them all on a Mepps Muskie Killers. Its a lot of fun but it takes a lot of time and casting to get a strike. I only fished for them during the summer, I am usually turkey hunting in the spring and deer hunting in the fall. Don't know much about pike, I fished for them one time in northern Maine on a bear/deer hunt, no luck though.

I'm in Colorado, don't know if that makes any difference or not. I guess it just depends on the conditions of the water and available food sources. Good suggestions. I will try a few of them.

Sounds like they are a lot like the northern pike here. I have had days where I caught 6 pike in one morning including 2 over 40" - in a river. I also have months at a time where I won't get a bite anywhere, lakes or rivers. One thing is for sure though, when you do hook into one it's a great feeling.

They are somewhat similar to pike, they spawn about 3-4 weeks after pike though and in slightly deeper water. As always try shallow bays on the noth side of the lake especially one with some warm water flowing in. Weedbeds that make it through the winter in 8-15' water are excellent places to start. As previously stated, slower baits and on the smaller side, although I have caught them witha standard size baits in the spring. I usally used small bucktails, twicthbaits/jerkbaits early in the spring. also like already said have a follow up bait ready and to add to that if you get a follow come back later in the day, especially if the weather changes, evening arrives, moon rises/sets or if you even get cloud cover.

Just remeber they are the fish of 10,000 casts. The best hint is if you see/catch a fish there is a reason it was there and there will be others. After 2-3 years of fishing them Dad and I had discovered all the "good" spots on the lakes we fished and just jumped from spot to spot and ignored everything in between, are seeing/catching % jumped way up once we started this technique.

Oh yeah, you can try open water trolling too, some fish seem to head out to the open water immediately and stay there till next spring, that is if there is a bait fish that is in the lake that hangs out in deep water. For trolling the "Old" style Grandma's lures seem to work best for us.

Best of luck


Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Trolling is out of the question unless I could row very fast. No gas or electric trolling motors are allowed where I fish. Most of my fishing will be from shore anyway but there are a ton of shallow bays and inlets.

Most of the lakes in WI are smaller and don't allow motorized trolling either but a lot of people do what's called row-trolling, which as you probably can guess is a bit more work but does the job.

oh, but like backpacker stated it is possible, if you have a canoe and a buddy it really isn't too difficult.


Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"