MJL

In the last 3 months, I've had 4 people step right in front of my car without looking. Last year I watched a girl walk right into a street light while texting. Our ancestors had to fight against sabre-toothed tigers. They had to evade the bubonic plague, malaria, yellow fever, TB, Polio and the flu. It's a sad day for humanity when we have to consider cell phones and distracted driving a major contributor of injury and death.

2 adult men walked off a cliff in California playing Pokemon Go *face palm*

Write them tickets...And Fast!

I'd be more worried about foreign (possibly negative) scents deterring fish from biting...Then again, some people use WD40 as scent...

Flambeau has a tackle box called the Zerust where the plastic dividers exude some sort of anti-rust vapour (or something like that). I bought one box but haven't yet had it long enough to really determine if it actually works. I bought it because it was 30% cheaper than anything else I could find in the store.

Don't know why my lures seem to rust more in winter than they do in summer.

 

lol guy takes a musky to a grocery store after fishing with a jig and grub...could you get any more stereotypical. Probs fishing with an ugly stick too.

Don't think it was an ugly stick. It was one of those rod/reel combos spooled with sketchy 10lb mono that you see at Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire.

Thanks guys. Very cool.

I've only ever seen 2 big muskies in person before. One was in 2007 in the Lower Niagara. The guy next to me landed it while tossing a 2/5oz orange Cleo for salmon. It measured 54.5 inches. I helped him net it with my big carp net and measured it with my tape. It escaped before I could measure the girth. At the time, neither of us really wanted to touch it.LOL

The 2nd fish was from the Kawarthas in 2005. The guy across the river from me caught it with a jig + grub. It weighed 33lbs. He took it to the grocery store he worked at to weigh it and came back to the river for pictures. I personally wouldn't doubt the weight. It was massive and super fat.

All the other muskies I've seen in person were about 36" or less. Here's hoping I catch a very aggressive 70 incher that's lazy and swims into the net when hooked.haha

Very cool

Do you know what software your son used to stitch it all together? I've been meaning to get out for some timelapse making the past few years but never got around to it. Even have a motor/slider that I haven't even used yet.LOL

Mind blowing report Rick!

Pretty amazing to see Kakabeka falls raging like that. I believe it's the 2nd tallest waterfall in Ontario. My dad and I visited in 2014 and it wasn't flowing as much as that.

Now you must apply your new found jigging skills to chinooks in Lake O...In 180ft of water. haha

The "big net" Tom is referring to is used like he said as a livewell in the water. So, big enough for the biggest Muskie you could perhaps hook into to stay horizontal in while in the water.

 

All of the unhooking and such is done while the fish remains in the net.

 

I hope you get into some because you have some absolutely beautiful shots. But, as Tom alluded, be wary of elevated summer temps just as I am sure you are with summer Trout.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Thanks farsider. It's pretty much what I do with the other species that I fish for (like steelhead and trout). This has been floating around the steelhead community for a while. Perhaps it also applies to muskies? (I personally don't know or know of any studies done)

It's one of the reasons I got into underwater photography and have been working on the half & half split shots like this over the past few years. After 5yrs I kind of have it figured out with some degree of success (Though execution still needs work). I would like to get something similar to this except with muskies and pike.

Anthony's Smallie by Mike Leung, on Flickr

Hey Mike.

 

 

8. GTA tackle shops. Tom mentioned a bunch of the smaller shops, and Bass Pro, SAIL and Cabelas have some lures also, but in all honesty each shop might only have a couple baits worth buying at any given time. There are also many custom bait builders out there that make some incredible lures. I've been doing most of my ordering online the past few years, and yes it hurt the wallet with the exchange rate, shipping and sometimes duties. But the selection down there is 10x what you can find here. I think getting a solid all-around rod and reel combo should be plan A - keep some lures in mind that you want to throw with it while choosing - then worry about building up a tackle arsenal. What are you currently using? Rod/reel/line etc? What is your budget for new?

 

I'd be happy to take you out in my boat for a day of muskie fishing and let you try a bunch of my gear out before you make any decisions on buying gear yourself - it can be an expensive and daunting experience with all the choices out there. You will be able to see first hand the differences between all the different reel types and gearing, rods, lures etc. First thing you have to throw is a pounder bulldawg haha... kidding... hopefully we would get into some fish and take some of those awesome MJL pics! Just send me a PM.

 

Hope some of this info helps! Keep asking away - tons of knowledge on this board, and again as Tom mentioned - the learning curve will shorten!

 

Cheers

Pete

Thanks Pete. Really appreciate all of this.

Right now I'm using a heavy action bass frog rod that I have - 7'4" Daiwa Tatula (rated for 1/2 -2oz, 55-80lb braid). Reel: Shimano Curado 300 spooled with 65lb PowerPro that I picked up off Kijiji last week.

Budget for a brand new combo? I don't really have one per se. I don't mind spending $ on something that feels comfortable in my hands and will last a long time. Rods longer than 8ft might be an issue fitting into my car though. Musky rods cost a lot less than most custom steelhead rods so it hurts less that way.LOL

Aside from learning about tackle and tactics, I would love to learn more about where muskies hold/habitat. I can apply it to the small back lakes and rivers that I fish which are filthy with smaller muskies (to about 36 inches or so). Even if we don't catch or see any fish, I've got about 10-12 artsy pictures in my head that I would still love to take about musky fishing.LOL

At some point this season, I'll be sending you a PM

One other question I have is, what's the average sized musky in the Kawarthas? How big do they get there? In the world of musky fishing what is considered a big musky?

Thanks again,

Mike

Hey Mike, the curado 300 is a good reel for smaller bucktails. I throw twin 8's on it with little issues. I wouldn't get another reel for that application. Get something for bigger baits.

 

For leaders, just grab some #120lb (or heavier) fluoro. 12" is the best all round length for casting, allowing you to go into a figure 8 easily with minimal line out. You don't need to get too technical with wire vs fluoro, fluoro works for everything. I do use wire for jerkbaits and gliders, but to be honest don't notice much difference with 12" leaders, action on my baits is similar and I don't foul up too often. 36" is a good length if you troll.

 

I wouldn't bother pinching the barbs on your baits. Do get some decent bolt cutters though. Make sure they can snip a musky hook with ease. Buy some spare hooks and split rings that match the size on our lures. Extra snaps are good to have too... #4 Staylocks (i think that's it - the big one).

 

Good selections of musky baits are hard to come by in Canada. JB's has some tackle, but to be honest it's crazy expensive now with the exchange. Le baron's has a decent priced selection to get started, Sail has a few things as well. Bill's Bait in Hamilton had a few baits last time I was there.

 

Pike don't really bite in the figure 8. I've only had one hit on the turn and I've tried it a million times. Like mentioned above, they spook close to the boat.

Thanks Josh

I've noticed all the price increases after looking through the Lebaron catalogues from 2011 through to 2016.LOL

I've been getting most of my stuff off of Kijiji and saving some $ that way. Just need to pick up some larger replacement hooks big enough for musky lures.

Please don't take this next bit of advise the wrong way. It is in no way meant as criticism.

 

Read and understand the proper handling and release procedures regarding Muskies. Being a relative of Northern Pike, they do not seem to have the same capacity to recover after even a short battle. For the size of the fish compared to it's cousin, they are extremely fragile and need time to recuperate. Similar to Pike (or any larger fish) vertical holds will damage the internal organs and vertebrae.

Get your camera ready for the picture while the fish is swimming in the net in the water. Tough to do in a canoe, but the larger your net the better. They act as a live well.

A lot of Muskie Anglers will NOT target them when the water temps get much above the mid to high 70's.

 

If you wish to learn more about your intended target, you can sit in on any Muskies Canada meeting with no obligation to join. Once your a member, a lot of the chapters are now running a mentoring class. You can get paired up a number of times with an experienced member and shorten your learning curve.

 

Good luck and have fun.

Fishing for muskies seems pretty similar to fishing for resident trout in how delicate they are.

95% of my photography is done underwater or of fish still in the water. I generally don't take very many hero shots above water of my own fish and don't plan to from a canoe unless I motor back to shore. Since the beginning of 2011, I've utilized a few techniques and equipment where I can remotely shoot off several dozen pictures in a few seconds while I (or my friends) am fighting fish or reviving/releasing fish. The "Keepemwet" movement popularized in steelhead fishing, is primarily what I aim to do with most species of fish I fish for and photograph.

For a small sample of the types of pictures I've taken, you can check out my website at

WWW.MJLEUNG.COM

Over the past month, I've acquired longer pliers, wire cutters, jaw spreaders, and already have a big net that I use for other large species. I will definitely look into some of the opportunities Muskies Canada has to offer.

At some point in the future (possibly 20yrs from now) I would like to publish a book of the 158+ freshwater fish species we have in Ontario (including underwater pictures of clear, spotted, barred and tiger muskies).

Thank again for all of your help

Mike

Thank you so much for all of your replies

Targeting muskies is quite a bit different than what I usually do with other species of fish.

I use a Curado 300 for smaller bucktails and spinnerbaits. A Revo Toro S in 5.3:1 would be easier to use but not as fast. I personally don't go over 6.4ish :1, but I know other guys do.

 

I'm not trying to insult you or make fun of you, but maybe you just need to workout your upper body a bit. Or fish yourself into shape. I know that a lot of musky guys in the US train with weights during the winter just so they are in shape to throw big baits all day once the season opens. Things like changing posture by keeping one foot on the platform and the other up on the gunnel help relieve the strain on your back, etc. I know one guy that goes at it so hard that he puts his one arm in a sling when he is done for the day, his shoulder and arm are that sore...

 

Single strand for jerkbaits usually, 130 lb flouro or stranded wire for everything else. I can't say that I think it makes a real difference. I do use mostly 3-5 ft flouro for trolling open water, wire for the odd time for rocky areas. Weights are 130 lb flouro, 90 lb coated stranded wire, 174 lb single strand, occasionally 147 lb single for small jerkbaits (but only because I have it and make my own leaders)

 

I've been barbless for years for musky and I really don't think it's made a big difference in landing percentage. If it has, it's mainly on smaller fish. The way I see it, I'm releasing the fish anyway, so I want to minimize the damage. Even with the barbs pinched down, it's amazing how messed up the hooks can get in fish and netting. I still cut the odd hook. Plus it's super easy to back out a barbless hook from your clothes, skin or unlucky friend.

 

I heard a guy say that he caught a pike on figure 8 two weeks ago. But I don't think a pike follows anything like a musky will.

 

I've read articles that lb for lb, pike generally prefer smaller baits than musky. I personally believe it. Sure bass and pike attack musky baits, but I stay with smaller stuff when fishing for pike specifically. Musky stuff that I would use for both would be 1/2 to 3/4 oz spinnerbaits, 6 inch jerkbaits, and spinners like Musky Killers and smaller.

 

Like all fishing, you will find that you develop your own preference for lures and techniques. For example, I love throwing jerkbaits like Suicks, Leos, Sledges. My least favorite are probably Bulldawg style lures, even though I've caught big fish on them and I know that they work.

This is just my two cents worth. Have fun!

At 5'6" 120lbs, I'm definitely on the smaller end of the scale compared to the musky anglers I typically see on the lake - A little bit of upper body strength training wouldn't hurt either. I wouldn't say I was burned out from reeling in all day but was thinking there might be a more efficient way of doing things.

I was fishing out of a 2 man canoe with my friend and the range of motion was definitely limited to the waist up. After sitting in the canoe for 13hrs, my lower back and butt were definitely feeling it. I would imagine standing and casting in a boat would be easier.

On the bright side, I can cast with either hand so I can switch up when one arm gets a little tired from casting. My dad gave me his old Abu Garcia 5500 C3 which is a lefty and can try alternating between left/right hand retrieves.

At the moment, my tackle box is fairly sparse but has a few spinnerbaits, bucktail spinners, a perch coloured super shad rap, a jointed 7" Shallow Raider, pair of saltwater X-raps and a pair of lures that look like American Eels with curly tails.

Over the next couple of seasons, I'm hoping to photograph muskies chasing lures to the boat both above and below the water.

At this point, I'm not planning to trophy hunt yet. Even small hammer handles are most definitely welcome.LOL

Thanks again guys for all of your help.

Nice ones Terry! Well done!

On Saturday I went fishing in the Kawarthas with the hopes of landing some muskies (which I didn't). In the 13hrs I was fishing, a few random questions came to mind.

1. Is there a smaller/medium sized low profile reel that will make burning in single bladed bucktail spinners easier than a Curado 300e? I'll admit it was quite the workout.LOL

I understand that reels with lower gear ratios have better cranking power and higher gear ratios bring in line quicker. For smaller lures like Mepps Musky Killers, Blue fox musky bucks and Buchertails, what gear ratio should I be looking at? A reel like the Daiwa Lexa 300 comes in 6.3, 7.1 and 8.1 models. What do you chose?

2. There are titanium leaders, fluorocarbon leaders and stainless steel leaders. Is there a time or technique where you would use one type of leader over the other?

3. How heavy of a leader in Fluorocarbon and Titanium do you use?

4. Has anyone gone barbless for muskies? If so, did you notice a difference in landing percentages?

5. I've only landed the 'clear' and 'tiger' variety of musky. Are the 'barred' and 'spotted' varieties also found in the kawarthas? I would love to photograph those ones too.

6. Do people ever Figure 8 for pike? Do pike ever chase lures right up to the boat like muskies do?

7. From what I see on TV, anglers use smaller lures on average for pike, and huge lures for muskies. Is there any reason for this?

8. Are there any tackle shops in the GTA (or within 2hrs) that have a decent selection of musky tackle? I don't have anything to buy in mind yet...I just love to visit small tackle shops.

Thanks

Mike

Berkley Vanish is a horrible, horrible product. I've never experienced as many unexplained line breaks as I've had with Berkley Vanish.

For worm harnesses, I've used mono and fluorocarbon in 10-12lb. Both work and couldn't really tell the difference in catch rates.

Mono I've used: Trilene XT, Excalibur Silverthread and P-Line Floroclear (blend of both mono/fluorocarbon)

Fluoro I've used: Seaguar AbrazX

I think its a northern water snake?

That's what I would also think as well.

My friend picked one up a few years ago. The snake defecated and oozed stinky musk on his hand and eventually did bite him. They are not venomous but the saliva will keep you bleeding if you get bit (like a mosquito)

I LOL'd so much that day

Thanks for your input! That's what I'll be doing. Tysg for stripper, recoil guides, and some sort of fuji titanium tip top. Hopefully it'll minimize line grooving. BTW alps titanium or fuji tysg? Lol

Never used the Alps titanium but heard they are great for the $. I have used the TYSG is the past and they work well (Currently have 1 float rod with a set of TYSG).

Unless you're planning to fish saltwater, I personally don't see any real need for titanium guides on a float rod (But that's just me).

I have regular Fuji YSG guides on 9 of 12 float rods that I have.

Thanks for the info guys! Much appreciated

 

I'm still deciding on type of guides and think i may do the first 2 or 3 TYSG and then rest recoils. Sounds like GLXs with recoils have line groove near the bottom... But that's probably due to the poor guide spacing from the factory.

It's definitely not the guide spacing that's the problem with the GLX. The Recoils are just soft.

I've replaced the recoils on my friends' 10 and 12wt fly rods as well as a 5'6" Loomis UL and a custom 6'6" Rainshadow that had them. Grooving is just part of the package when you have Recoils.

Some guys change the tip top and the stripper guide to SIC on the factory rods with recoils.

I've owned 2...Still have 1 Sage GSH 1136-3LLB in the arsenal.

Both had slightly different guide spacings. The approximate spacings for both (Going by memory):

#1 : Tip, 3, 7, 12, 18. 25, 33, 42, 52, 63, 75, 88, 102, 117

#2 : Tip, 4, 9, 15, 22, 30, 39, 49, 60, 72, 85, 98, 112, 126

Both rods used Fuji YSG guides from size 7 to 16 or 20. Definitely not a fan of Recoils for any type of rod (but that's just me).

Keep in mind that the Sage rods I had/have are from the batch sold by Angling Specialties back in the 1990's. From what I've read on Facebook, the newer blanks have a more powerful line rating and are lighter than the older ones (6-12lb @ 3.7oz). If I had to guess, my Sage rods would be something similar to a slow/moderate action 4-8lb weighing in over 4oz for the blank). Can even run lighter leaders than 4lb on the rod if I wanted to.

Beat the rain? The best fishing is in the rain!

Nicely done Brian

Take me to all of your fishing spots and show me the way to catch some fish

Thanks again guys

Since that day, I've been reading tons of articles on musky fishing and shopping around for musky tackle on various Classifieds and Kijiji that would fit my needs. I've been constantly dreaming about Figure-8's and fish chasing up to the boat.

I traded a friend some old carp gear for a Curado 300E in great condition. Still shopping around for a rod, lures and a few other items. I've got about 20-30 pictures in mind (above and below the water) that I'm hoping to get in the next few seasons. It's definitely a new journey.

I'm afraid I'm showing symptoms of Musky Fever. haha.

Seriously? Ive fished rice lake for 25 years. The last 5 years, at least once a week, generally 2 or 3 times.

NEVER caught a pike there.
NEVER caught a tiger in my life.
And never caught that many musky in total out of that lake!!!

Lucky is an understatement!!!

Congrats on an awesome day! I bet you never do that again.

Thats the first pike ive actually seen out of rice too!

S.

Shayne, from what a few people told me, Rice has one of the lower densities of muskies compared to other Kawartha lakes. But, whatever you do see are bigger on average??? Perhaps someone who targets muskies there could confirm. I'm actually not sure what the average size of muskies is in the kawarthas (or any other lake for that matter).

As for the Tigers, one of my friends caught 2 last year on Rice and on Facebook, another angler claims he caught 3 on walleye opening week (with a pic to back it up). Seems there could be more pike moving into the lake???

Nicely done Mike. If I caught that many hawgs, my thumb would be bleeding profusely.LOL

I was expecting a very different report in mind before I clicked on this one.LOL

Nice tank of a laker and the chinny is sweet. Looking forward to the salmon moving closer to shore within spoon chucking range

Beauties Matt!

Just incredible!

Over the years, I've seen the odd loner rainbows cruising some of the harbours and bays around Lake O during the summer. The ones I've seen looked like beat up dropbacks that just spawned out.

On the other hand, browns do cruise the same harbours and bays during the summer (particularly ones where they were stocked). They follow bait fish that bunch up close to shore and just annihilate them. Browns are slightly more tolerant of warmer water than other trout and salmon and are more structure oriented out in the lake (hence why they generally remain closer to shore out in Lake O compared to rainbows and salmon).

Before I got my drivers license, I would hit up a few of my local harbours with a spinning rod and a small box of spoons, jerk baits and crankbaits in the summer. I've had really good days with the browns in the middle of July - You could just see the browns busting the bait fish on the surface. My favourite lures were the Silver/green hammered Cleo, Rapala Rattlin Rap and Rapala Husky Jerk. Sometimes floating skein chunks or a salted minnow would work too. Last July, my friend and I had a 40 fish day between the 2 of us after work on one Lake O pier (The fish were between 1.5lbs and 12lbs). A good number of fish were caught on white Swammers, EGB spoons and Rapala Clackn' Raps.

The hot mid-summer brown bite from shore doesn't happy every day, but if you time it right, it will make you want to go back every day for more...Worst case scenario is you end up catching bass or pike when the browns aren't in.LOL

Going to need a lot of windshield washer fluid driving through that cloud.LOL