Still trying for 50"

[Lunker Larry]

Just tucked the boat away for the winter but will still be fishing until the weather says we can't. The goal each year is for at least 1 50 inch muskie. Been close with 2 49.5s and a 49 3/4.
This is the latest 49 1/2.

[Hardy Boy]

Wow that is a great fish! Good luck with the last fraction of an inch..


Cheers:

Todd

[PacRat]

Nice fish! I've heard muskies are addicting. I've only fished them a couple of times but they do get under your skin. What did you catch it on?

[Sharkb8]

Wow great fish good luck with your goal

Kim

[Lunker Larry]

Nice fish! I've heard muskies are addicting. I've only fished them a couple of times but they do get under your skin. What did you catch it on?

Large 6 Oz spinner bait

[steelfish]

Thats a nice fish Larry, good luck on your quest

Btw what gear did you used?

[Midway Tommy]

Well done Larry! Where do you chase them?

[oc1]

Yeah man.  You have a knack for it.

[Crow]

Great catch  !

[nelz]

Been close with 2 49.5s and a 49 3/4.

Larry, the expression on your face is priceless    49 3/4 eh??? Come on man, that's a 50!  Congrats.

[Lunker Larry]

Been close with 2 49.5s and a 49 3/4.

Larry, the expression on your face is priceless    49 3/4 eh??? Come on man, that's a 50!  Congrats.

Can't fool the bump board. LOL

Ref gear.  keep things simple and within budget. I use a 8 foot St Croix Premier rod with a Okuma CV30d. Minimum 80 lb test, 250 lb leader. and clips The heavier gear allows you to land the fish faster. They stress out pretty easy, build up lactic acid and potassium which can give them a heart attack. They may swim away but will belly up later. A quick release, little time out of the water and having all the right release tools like a huge net where you can keep the fish in the water while getting things ready helps. They may not fight long like salt water fish but the big ones can really haul a boat around and quickly straighten out a hook or split ring if it is not heavy enough. Usually the more stressed out the fish is the redder the fins are.
Also muskie baits can get pretty steep. Don't want to loose a $100 body bait.

[Hardy Boy]

Larry we should confuse the US gang and use centimeters ..................... then you would have a monster ...................... 127 !!!

Cheers:

Todd

[Shark Hunter]

Nice Catch Larry!

[nelz]

So Larry, being that you use a Okuma CV30d I'm guessing that's for trolling not casting?

PS: $100 lure? Holy cow!

[Lunker Larry]

Correct. It's my primary trolling reel. It's bullet proof and  I like it way better than Tekotas. Larger and easier to retrieve and a loud clicker. For casting I have a Shimano 400D, Curado 300 and Okuma SS 346 that I use primarily. But at 69 I'm more of a troller now. Can't cast all day like when I was young. Big baits are too hard on the body.  Many muskie pros like Jim Saric of musky hunter, have all had shoulder surgery.

There are a lot of commercial muskie baits out there for under $50 but the custom bait makers have pretty much taken over the market. They build fantastic baits that are a work of art and run perfectly. They can be $100 and more. I've got a tackle box made out of down spout and a milk carton. Just that one probably holds a grand in baits. I'll take a few pics later and follow up on this post.