Muskie combo suggestions

Hey guys, I’m looking to “dabble” a bit in muskie fishing on Mille Lacs this year. I’m a complete novice when it comes to these beasts and not sure where to start as far as gear. What is a decent rod and reel combo that will let me throw baits and troll with the same rod? What are 5 must have baits that I should have. Not looking to break the bank as I’m just getting started. Thanks for any info or suggestions.

I have been muskie fishing for over 30 years but not near as much lately and am still far from any expert. I have 3 dedicated muskie rod reel/combos but starting off you would be good with a 7′ medium/heavy graphite musky rod that works good for casting and trolling fairly well. I have all my combos using Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500-C3 reels that are 25 years old and will last ’til long after I’m dead.

I’m sure there could be many other suggestions that are more current (and expensive), but I paid a fair amount 25 years ago and am still using these to this day.

Lure selection is almost unlimited these days but I like trolling big crank baits and casting bucktail and topwater.

As far as lures and techniques that are working…

I’ll leave this here now as there is rumor that Mille Lacs “homeboy” Will Roseberg @MalmoMafioso has scored big time again recently putting his little boy on some large fish.

I’m hoping/guessing he’ll report here soon (Pontoon Chronicles?)

I don’t want to spoil his epic fishing event here but those that have FB, may have seen some incredible and anxious and even humorous recording of landing big muskie.

Advice though for both you and Will, make sure you have a BIG net!

Any hit the nail on the head for a rod / reel combo. No need to break the bank.

I’m a troller. Get some cranks to troll, throw ‘er in gear to 3.5 mph and cover ground. Much more relaxing then throwing all day.

Thanks Andy! Dutch, that’s what my plan is, I watched a certain pontoon troll the north break for years with success…I might be able to stumble into one or a nice slimer.

You will be amazed how many big Walleye you will catch trolling big baits at speed.

Hang on and have fun!!

I have never tried trolling for musky. How much line do you typically have out and how deep relative to the bottom are you targeting?

Thanks

brian_peterson wrote:

Thanks Andy! Dutch, that’s what my plan is, I watched a certain pontoon troll the north break for years with success…I might be able to stumble into one or a nice slimer.

If you’re referring to Gene Miller… He handed it off this year to an apprentice. Same boat I guess, and same routine. But it was successful. If I may share a secret, make a short run west and work the east Myr Mar reef which is more of a collection of shallow and deep rocks with weeds mixed in all around. Large structure, cast or troll through. You will catch something there…almost guaranteed.

fishingchallenged wrote:

I have never tried trolling for musky. How much line do you typically have out and how deep relative to the bottom are you targeting?

Thanks

I’ve done prop wash where you let it out right behind the boat all the way to dragging them 20+ feet deep over open water. For me (I don’t know about others) when going deep I need to find bait balls with large marks near by. Those large marks will be the predators feeding on the bait. Get among the predators and you will catch something.

fishingchallenged wrote:

I have never tried trolling for musky. How much line do you typically have out and how deep relative to the bottom are you targeting?

Thanks

Trolling for muskie is not a rocket science like “precision” lead core for walleye or down riggers for lake trout and salmon. Typically they do not inhabit deep water although they could suspend over deep water. They are also more likely to come up to a lure rather than hug bottom like walleye.

In fact most are caught in 20′ or less of water. I typically run shallow running cranks and let out a lot of line, probably running 10-15′ down. Bright colors like chartreuse on sunny days and black or chrome on dark days or at night.

Anyway, for more comprehensive information…wait for the Will Roseberg report.

He might correct me, but I’m pretty sure Will’s annual 4th of July family pontoon trolling chronicles are well to the west of Mille Lacs. Either way, it does show persistence is needed more than fancy gear. But man, do I have the fancy gear disease!

For planer board trolling I like heavy dipsey rods and 50lb mono, very inexpensive. For down rods I like an extra heavy power fiberglass rod with 80-100lb braid. Daiwa linecounters are fine.
If it needs to be used for casting and trolling both, I suggest a store label XHF muskie rod like from Cabela’s paired with a baitcaster that has an alarm clicker such as an Okuma Komodo.

You might consider hiring a guide or paying gas money to a non-guide to take you out. It’s not rocket science, but consistent success takes doing certain things right. It’ll cut the learning curve down immensely for you, especially on low-density water like Mille Lacs.

You are correct Michael, Will’s family bonanza is on another lake…not Mille Lacs. What I appreciate is how he keeps it straightforward and simple using a pontoon and lures and techniques that would work equally as well on Mille Lacs.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

I have 3 dedicated muskie rod reel/combos but starting off you would be good with a 7′ medium/heavy graphite musky rod that works good for casting and trolling fairly well.

Check out the classifieds, there’s a rod that fits this description at a good price.

I run a few different rods and reels but go to tackle industries and get a 8 to 8ft6 rod xxh and Abu ambassador 6600 series reel. Awesome set up for both trolling and casting and won’t hurt you to bad. Make sure you buy a power handle for the Abu it’s another 20 bucks well spent. Your wrist will thank you. For baits grab a bucktail or 2 and a few top water baits maybe a medusa or bull dowg

A good all around (do everything setup) for me is an 8′-8’6″ XH and a low profile 6.3:1 reel with a clicker. There are tons of options out there, but I use the Okuma SCT line of rods and the Okuma Komodo SS line of reels.

Pat McSharry wrote:

A good all around (do everything setup) for me is an 8′-8’6″ XH and a low profile 6.3:1 reel with a clicker. There are tons of options out there, but I use the Okuma SCT line of rods and the Okuma Komodo SS line of reels.

Pat turned me on to this exact set up last year and I love it.

Will Roseberg wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Pat McSharry wrote:</div>
A good all around (do everything setup) for me is an 8′-8’6″ XH and a low profile 6.3:1 reel with a clicker. There are tons of options out there, but I use the Okuma SCT line of rods and the Okuma Komodo SS line of reels.

Pat turned me on to this exact set up last year and I love it.

Just a little too rich for me to start fishing for this species

Maybe next year.