Leaderboard

PowerPro is what I’ve been using for years 80#. For leaders not joining two lines here. generally 120-150# reliable snaps, bearing swivel and welded ring. I can recommend Huskie Muskie leaders from Handlebarzfishing.com. 12 inch for casting, that or 36 inch for trolling. Rods, can be personal preference, casting you want a heavy duty but light 8 foot or more. Trolling you can use a telephone poll. I’ve seen guys use a heavy or xtra heavy downrigging rod that doesn’t cost much but do the job. Reels:Started with an Abu Ambassador, great real for the price and good for starting out. Still have one for trolling only (has the clicking function on the drag that alerts me when I get a pull, I can focus more on boat position and route). Casting, after time the gears will wear out in the abu from repeated retrieval of big baits. I’m a shimano reel guy: Shimano Tranx, calcuttas are ideal but $$$.

If you’re good with spending lots of money, time, and tears chasing these behemoths then all the best to you. I still curse that big musky that followed my lure to the boat when I was a teenager.

Running big bucktails in the prop wash can also work extremely well.

as Lew mentioned...sometimes the line 10 feet or less behind the boat is the ticket. I have caught many Kawartha muskies on a believer with maybe 5 to 7 feet of line out with rod tip jammed in the water. Guests/friends who I take the first time always look shocked when they watch me put a line right behind the boat....then they look more shocked when the drag on that one starts to scream!

My go to’s: Jakes/believers for trolling 10inches and up. Casting inline bucktails (double 8s, 10s). Big heavy duty spinner baits. Rubber (bulldawgs, Medusas). lots of good advice above. Can get pricey for sure. “Invest” in heavy braid 80# and 120# leader so you don’t donate those expensive baits to the lake lol. Best of luck. Reef

Get yourself a yellow & black Believer and a 10" Pumpkin Seed Jake and troll them about 10' behind the motor in the prop wash. They catch a lot of fish. For casting, you'll never go wrong with a large black spinnerbait with orange blades. It was always the bait I started ever day with a did very well with it. Twitch baits also work well for casting, move them fast and erratic with long pauses. Don't go crazy buying a bunch of baits until you find what works.