[FLiP6735]

I have gone muskie fishing every Saturday for the last 4-5 weeks and have not caught a thing! I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips, I just can't think of what I'm doing wrong. I have a typical set-up like on the Rocketman's website, but unfortunately I don't have planer boards and my rodholders only go as far as a 90 degree angle, making the rods go straight to the side, which means no downrods. Shouldn't it still be possible for me to catch fish? I caught two this whole summer, and they were both small. Please someone help! All I want is to catch one 20 + pound fish this year! Thanks a lot,

Paul

 

[TINMAN2003]

Get some planner boards!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Czar]

Location, location, location. Where have u been fishing? This time of year the bulk of the `skie fishing is done on the canadian side of the lake. If you don`t have a canadian license try the area around the dumping grounds or around the areas where they are getting the perch. Gotta stay away from those darn floating weeds though. Maybe these westerly winds will blow them off the american side. Use big baits this time of year and slow the trolling speed down a bit. Keep trying and your day will come. Good luck and make sure to post a report. Good or bad.

 

[h2o]

You need help from Muskiebobsr. He's the master of muskie, he cast's for them try casting for them around the dumping grounds like Czar say's. With all the floating weeds casting will be more effective. Just try it wind drift and cast your arm off. Why troll only to constantly have to pull them in and clean them off. Fouled baits are bummers.

h2o<--------------Say's cast and feel the strike... get ready!!!!!

 

[muskiebobsr]

Amen H2o how right you are

 

[FLiP6735]

Thanks a lot for the help guys, but I am still trying to figure out what it is. Yesterday I was in the dumping grounds trolling at around 3.5 mph with Nilsmasters. I was thinking it was maybe the commotion of my engine, but I thought that that attracted them? Why do planer boards work so well anyway? It just gets the lines away from the boat.....

Any ideas?

Oh well, maybe I do need to try casting. I just kind of want to fix the trolling thing first. Its become a personal goal now, especially after I see posts all the time about 5 + fish days! Thanks again,

Paul

 

[h2o]

As the boat moves toward the fish, i think that makes the fish go left or right of the approaching boat. So the planner boards keep the lure's way off to the side's. Now trolling makes the lure move at the same speed as the boat. Maybe muskie notice this and shy away. ( just a theory ). So it's good to vary your speeds. Also with casting you can do all sorts of jerks, fast retrieve's slow retrieve's see maybe that will trick the fish. Also do whats called a figure 8 when you reel in at the boat or giant oval using your rod bury the tip and start your movement do that a few time's especially if you see one follow.. Lots of fish have been caught that way. Keep your blood pressure down at that moment of excitement so your in control.. it's easy if you use mind power... LOL. I feel scent helps alot so use a good game fish scent on your lure, when the fish follows the lure that might be all he needs to smack it. Fish smell unbelievable. Good luck ask questions and go get them..

h2o<------says your 20 + pounder is waiting for you.

 

[Downrod]

Planer boards are not required. Don't get me wrong, I do run them, but half of my fish come on boat rods. My bigger fish usually come on boat rods also. I see know reason why you can't run downrods. Its OK if you rodholders are 90 degrees out from the boat. You can run a shorter rod ( although that isn't required either) 10oz-20ft or 16 oz-12 ft is a good position. Outrods, you can vary your set up
try 4 oz - 40 ft on one and 2 oz 20 ft on the other

Keep them clean!! Its just a matter of time

 

[Just One More]

You don't need planer boards to run a downrod. Run them straight out the back, keeping them close to the boat. Muskie are attracted to the prop and its wash, so you want the lure close to it. Then, run your outrods to the side. The lines won't tangle. I've never had a problem this way. The numbers Downrod provided in the previous post are a good start. The planer boards get the line out farther, but they are cartainly not necessary. And if the water is rough, they are not effective anyway. Good luck and keep trying. It seems the muskie have been hit and miss this year anyway. Many people are having trouble from what I've heard, so don't feel bad