BillM

Don't overthink it. I don't care what position the sun is in. This time of year find those weed edges out into deep water and you'll find the fish. If the water temps are still in the 70s, fish as fast as you can.

Definitely the place you want to go to hook a muskie, or you need your confidence back from fishing Gbay lol.

Kill all the pike!

Locks keeping them out for the most part.. Any pike you catch in Balsam you'll wanna keep

They definitely aren't, which is why I commented what I did. If you want a musky, Balsam isn't the lake to do it on. That's a beauty pike though! I hope you ate it! LOL

Pinion gears, drag being inconsistent, etc. I know quite a few guys that have got rid of them for either the 500s or a different brand completely.

Find a different lake to fish muskies on..

The Calcutta is definitely a step up from the Penn you posted. I'd probably jump on that. Finding a used muskie rod shouldn't be a big deal. My next rod will definitely be 10ft. It makes everything easier.

If I was fishing the Kawarthas I'd probably pick up something in the 8-9ft range, med heavy at most. You don't need a pool cue for those fish and it's way easier on you casting big baits all day. My fav rod is a 9'6 telescopic MH Legend Tournament. Makes figure 8s a breeze and loads up and helps me bury hooks. Along with all the rods/reels/lures you need to make sure you've got a proper net and release tools (Especially hook cutters), jaw spreader, etc. Handling these fish properly will have the biggest impact on them going back unharmed.

All I run are Revo Toro Beasts. High gear and a low gear. I toss all muskie baits with them (Including big blades specifically with the high gear).. The only reel that would pull big blades better would be the Tranx 500, that thing is an inshore salt water reel and weighs about 5lbs, so no thanks... . I wouldn't touch a Tranx 400 with a 10ft pole after reading some of the horror stories. They definitely aren't built like the big boy Tranx 500. I've used a few round reels as well (Abu, Shimano Calcutta) they do the job as well. It really depends on how much muskie fishing you're actually going to do. That Toro will be just fine for 90% of the lures out there. Would I pull a big double 12 with it? Probably not (Not like there's any reason to throw that anyhow lol). You'd have zero issues burning 8s and 9s. Like Lew mentioned a power handle makes all the difference when it comes to pulling high resistant baits like big bucktails). If it were me I'd buy something used, you're $$$ will go so much further. Will you be chasing mostly Kawartha fish?

Seems like an easy way to get votes.

Probably your stock wiring. My Lund did the same thing until I ran dedicated wires to a distribution box for my finders (Two Helix 12s). Fixed the problem instantly.

I don't know anyone that would ever stand in that section and fish chinooks in Sept. Now floating giant skeen chunks at the mouth? That can be a fun time.

I find it funny that this response doesn't mention the slaughter that happens or the conditions it happens in. Fishing in that section isn't sporting. It's shooting fish in a barrel, I wouldn't even want to guess how many fish are flossed/snagged/pitchforked/netted or whatever during a single season run. This is the absolute best thing that could have happened, I hope it continues for years ahead.

Have never tried FFS yet, don't know if I ever will. I definitely won't be sharp shooting muskies with it like some guys do.

Awesome!!!! MNR is going to be handing out a lot of tickets this season LOL!

Yikes. Glad everyone escaped unharmed.

What lake is it on?

It's never a bad idea, it's saved trips in the past lol!

This time of year don't forget the jigging spoons etc. I find late Aug/Sept they'll want something other than your typical worm harness.

Ohhhh baby! Another one of Rons creations. Can't wait to see this one!

Good news! and good karma!

That's not close to a 56 and that's definitely not a 36in fish in it's mouth LOL! Gotta love when people over estimate.

I think technically the province and come and log your property if they wanted to, however the odds of that are basically zero. If it were my property I'd do whatever I wanted. Why not give the MNR a call? https://www.recreationland.net/resources/faq-property-rights/

I remember those giants from back in the day when I was a kid. Big fish was always over 40lbs.