Pigeontroller

Welcome to OFC! PICKERAL!!

The Abu Garcia 7000i HSN is nice 5:3 reel for bucktails. the large diameter spool and power handle will bring in Bucks plenty fast!

LOL! Singingdog has intentionally done that i'm sure! Not all his kayaking has been done on flat water! I hate to discourage kayak-fishing, cause thats a great way to get on the water, but I'm not convinced a kayak is the best choice of craft for Muskie fishing. In a decent sized fishing boat with all the right gear to land and safely release a Muskie, It can still be a real trying experience!

I was on the same system. Don't be discouraged, it was abit early with water temps prior to this weekend. I had the biggest Muskie I've ever seen follow in my Topraider!

I would also recomend Scotsmans Point, near Buckhorn, on Upper Buckhorn Lake.

I would highly recomend Bay City Marine in Hamilton.

Go with quality spruce 2x6s

I wouldn't want to be the guy carrying the 25 hp, in fact, I wouldn't want to carry a 15 hp either! On another note, my Dad had a 14 footer years ago with a 25 hp on it, man what a rocket, I doubt it went much more than 35 mph but it sure felt fast!

Excellent idea Lew! I consider the Frabil yoke to be far better and user friendly, but I really like the Beckman Bag. Anyone that can afford the rods/reels/tackle to chase Muskie should be able to afford the proper NET. An old Salmon net can do alot of damage to a big Muskie's fins!

I'm laid off...Ahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Muskie-10" Jake, Pickerel or Orange Tiger!

You have 3 main types/brands that are popular, all are in the $150-$200 range. Beckman- Finsaver Magnum Pen Net Frabil- Big Game or Big Kahuna Stowmaster, not sure of name but the large one! www.protacklemuskyshop.com, www.muskyshop.com or JB's Fishing Depot in Toronto

The best pics are ones like these...

Muskie Porn! Here's some more examples of fish recouperating in the Beckman Net!

Muskies & Girls...? ewwwww!!!!

I think there's some confusion going on for 'new angler'. Electric "trolling motors" aren't really used for 'trolling', Not usually anyway. They really should be called Electric "positioning" motors. We generally used them for moving around in shallow water, or deep water while casting. They can be used to control a 'drift' or for any close quarters boat maneuvers. Most gas outboards are suitable for trolling, some boats have a 'kicker', a small outboard that is good for slower trolling and also as a back-up in case the main engine fails. Most electric 'trolling motors' are mounted at the front on the bow, which allows it to 'pull' the boat around. Here's a Minn Kota brand Powerdrive bow mounted Electric Motor. I hope this clears things up, or if you already understood this, didn't feel insulted...

BTW, it wasn't hard to find this stuff as my boat is packed and ready to leave for the north country on Friday!!!

Good to see lots of enthusiasm for the upcoming Muskie season! I just hope everyone handles these very delicate fish with the utmost care! They may look big,mean and tuff, but they are very suseptible to post-release mortality if handled poorly! Please keep out of water time to a minimum! This is where these big nets really shine, after netting the fish leave the net IN the WATER! Get the hooks out, and the Muskie is now resting comfortably in the net, after its had a few minutes to recover, QUICKLY and safely lift it out of the water for a QUICK picture. Remember to hold the fish with 2 hands!!! Holding a big fish, Muskie or otherwise vertically by the gill plate ain't good for it! Having the proper release tools is essentail! My last fish of 2007 was a nice 45"er from the French river area and it had a 13" Gramma hooked badly under its jaw, NO way I coulda released that fish unharmed without hook cutters! You can buy a pair of mini-bolt cutters at Canadian Tire for $20, these and a pair of long nose pliers are a MUST HAVE! Last but not least be careful! As much as I don't want to see a Muskie harmed, our safety is more important!

www.spoonpullers.com

"keep an eye on that"

I took my boat to Bay City Marine in Hamilton today, I always get treated well there and today was no exception. Doug and Clarence are class acts! 3 new rivets for $30. 7 days to Muskie opener,priceless!!!

Thanks for all the advise! I took the rear deck off and as I suspected these rivets are not structural, they hold the panel front of the rear deck in place, if the dealer can't rivet it I can always go with SS bolts of an appropriate size. Lew, I'll be in French river country on June 7th!

NICE horizontal holds on them Muskie! And the other "baitfish" as well! Thanks for sharing and more importantly for releasing them!

Make sure you have a quick release, and a float on the sock! You don't want to get into a sticky situation and not be able to move quickly!