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.
Wow that is a great fish! Good luck with the last fraction of an inch..
Cheers:
Todd
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?
Wow great fish good luck with your goal
Kim
Quote from: PacRat on October 28, 2021, 08:49:27 PM
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
Thats a nice fish Larry, good luck on your quest
Btw what gear did you used?
Well done Larry! Where do you chase them?
Yeah man. You have a knack for it.
Great catch :o!
Quote from: Lunker Larry on October 28, 2021, 08:35:47 PMBeen close with 2 49.5s and a 49 3/4.
Larry, the expression on your face is priceless ;D 49 3/4 eh??? Come on man, that's a 50! Congrats.
Quote from: nelz on October 29, 2021, 02:54:30 PM
Quote from: Lunker Larry on October 28, 2021, 08:35:47 PMBeen close with 2 49.5s and a 49 3/4.
Larry, the expression on your face is priceless ;D 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.
Larry we should confuse the US gang and use centimeters ..................... then you would have a monster ...................... 127 !!!
Cheers:
Todd
Nice Catch Larry!
So Larry, being that you use a Okuma CV30d I'm guessing that's for trolling not casting?
PS: $100 lure? Holy cow!
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.
Man, you are goin at it right "the heavier gear allows you to land the fish faster". No telling how many released fish swim away only to die latter. Just a little hand squeeze of the upper body supposedly can cause internal organ damage.
Are you doin fork length or the tail tips? Obviously you ain't gonna round-up. As long as your method is consistent, you're right!
Do you think you'd get bit more by the big'uns with lighter leaders?
I'm with Nelz, that's a 50! Congrats on a beauty of a fish, Larry.
Best,
Dom
Muskie don't pay attention to terminal tackle. They even hit trolling motors. We often troll with the rod tip in the water when there are a lot of floating weeds. Keeps them from going down the line and cowling the hook. Saw a go pro video where the muskie hit the rod tip in the water. Clear water. Dirty water. Doesn't matter.
Here's a couple picks of the body bait types we use.
The second photo are an example of what is being made by home bait makers.
I'm too cheap to buy these. Won them on prize tables over the years. lol
Enjoy the craftsmanship.
Photo of a strike on 13" Believer
Quote from: Lunker Larry on November 01, 2021, 02:57:22 PMPhoto of a strike on 13" Believer
Wow, wicked-cool, a fresh-water 'cuda! :o
Very nice lures. Btw, I still kick myself over having sold my custom etched "
Le Lure" Abu. You know that name?
Well done, great fish!
Now for the final one.
So Cool!
Quote from: nelz on November 01, 2021, 03:27:20 PM
Quote from: Lunker Larry on November 01, 2021, 02:57:22 PMPhoto of a strike on 13" Believer
Wow, wicked-cool, a fresh-water 'cuda! :o
Very nice lures. Btw, I still kick myself over having sold my custom etched "Le Lure" Abu. You know that name?
It rings a bell but I think it was a long time ago.
I applaud your fishing ethics, both the measuring and handling. So close... I knew some guys way back when that used to break a few vertebrae if a Stripper was just under the legal minimum limit. Then there was those people in Nor-Cal & Oregon that'ed get a no-keep wild Steelhead(no adipose fin-clip), hide it in their vehicle and take off.