Muskie Trolling Setup????

[Guest]

I am looking to setup my boat so I can troll for the big one. Should I go with just planer boards or spend the money on something like a Big Jon Dual Planer Rigger? I have pretty much ruled out Down Riggers.
Does anyone know how the guides are setting up? Sorry, I can't afford to find out for myself! Other idea's are welcome.
Thanks in advance!!

[Guest]

Personally... I've never used boards for 'skies. To be honest, sometimes the spot just after the motor wash can be an excellent spot for getting a fish. And for rod holders.... I trust my arms better than a rod holder for muskies. Sure.... they get tired, but I like to feel whats going on... making sure I'm not dragging any weeds. Plus, you get a 50"+ Mille Lacs muskie to hit while trolling... it will most likely be one of the most terrifying experiences you have ever had!!!! Good luck!

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-FNC

"If I had a job... I'd quit it."

[Guest]

All we use on our charter boats is planner boards. We don't make alot of friends with the caster's. But we cover alot of ground and catch more fish.
Duke

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[Guest]

Try wood!

[duckhunter]

Using the dual riggers will help to get your line away from the boat. I think that is the way to go.

[Guest]

Thanks to all that replied. I just purchased a Planer system. Plan on also using it on LOW, during the Cisco spawn. Should be able to keep my fiberglass boat off those deadly rocks and present my baits in the 8-15 ft range.
Good Luck to all the hunters!!

[Guest]

Like duke said.. Wood planners are the best for trolling big heavy baits. They plane much better than plastic boards.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Guest]

The planer system I am using doesn't use boards. It uses "Otter Boats" which are simlar to boards but are much larger (2 total - one on each side of the boat - not per line). The advantage to these are when a fish strikes the lure is released from the "guide line" that controls the otter boat. You instantly fight the fish. Easier to detect a strike, no board to fight and remove, they also get your lure further from the boat.

[ITSATHRILL]

I'm kind of curious on how you think dragging a fish around is sport? I watched in horror as somebody with a pontoon boat and plainer boards went through an area that was only ~3 feet deep that several people were casting. These people all used their electrics to get in the area to try to not spook the fish, then to our surprise ( not really we were kind of expecting them ) somebody comes chugging through with the gas motor running.
I can't see how dragging a Musky to the top of the water, reeling it in, taking your picture with the fish like your some kind of top dog fisherman and then throwing it over the side of the boat without the least care aboat it's survival is a sport?
I haven't been a Musky fisherman long but I know this isn't the way it's suppose to be done......................

[Guest]

1. I respect other fisherman and wouldn't troll threw casters.
2. If you knew how A "Planer System" worked you know that you don't drag the fish around.
3. I've been a caster for over 15 years. I am just adding another method to my arsenal.
4. As for the "top dog" comment:
muskie fishing is a very personnel thing for me, I not in it to show pitcures to people. If you're so concerned about the fish's health, why do you risk lifting the fish from the water, for a picture? Just release it, that's what I do.
5. Most importantly - good luck - hope your
year is going as good as mine. By the way I haven't even started trolling yet. But once I do I am confindent my success will rise.

[Guest]

ITSATHRILL,

There are many ways to fish for every species. For example, I prefer live bait rigging for walleyes to using crankbaits because I like having to finesse them at times. Crankbaits however, are a good option if my preferred methods fall short.

I suppose there are Musky fisherman who might look down on those of us who like to use heavyweight line when fishing Muskies. After all what's the sport in that when using 6 pound monofiliment offers the fish more of an advantage in your battle with them?

Nobody likes the morons who crowd your fishing space and ruin your fishing spot because they don't give a crap about anyone else. But condemming those who like to troll for Muskies just because you don't see the sport in it is to imply that they are slobs or morons too and are just plain wrong in doing it. It seems to me that this type of thinking is just as intolerant and self centered as the the guy who trolls through your casting spot because he doesn't really care how you like to do things.

I'm not trying to trying to insult you here. I'm just trying to point out that everyone has their own fishing preferences, but we have to share the same water. Its not a question of right or wrong, its really a matter of preference.

My advice would be to fish the way you like to fish and find ways to avoid those who like to use other methods for catching Muskies.

[Guest]

Fish however you'd like but don't crowd other anglers...when I'm casting for skis I can cover a ton of ground.. a cast of 100 feet and more is not uncommon so keep your distance. It used to be that trolling was not an accepted way to catch a ski. Imagine if the tables were turned and 90% trolled and 10 % casted.

[Guest]

132,000 acres and still bitchin about spots.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Fish-n-Freak]

I have been fishing Muskies for over 20 years and have only spent a total of maybe 3 hours trolling. But in those three hours I boated a 37" fish on a day when a bunch of good sticks got skunked casting.

There is an art to trolling. Sure some people just troll wherever and don't care if they piss others off, but those that are "muskie fishermen" not just people fishing for muskies, have the talent, tools and manors to do it well.

I will still cast 99% of the time, but when I troll it will be done well and with respect to anyone that is casting.

I hate it when people make general comments about anybody. Sure there are those "rotten apples" in any bunch, they should not be used to judge others in the same group.

The guy that went through your spot, was wrong and anybody that tosses a fish in, rather than taking care to make sure it swims away is also wrong -- But I don't think that "trollers" are all about "tossing fish overboard".

[Roosterslayer05]

hahaha good point about makeing general comments about people. I have a cabin on the lake and fish it every weekend at the least and everyone that pulls up to my spot, cruises by me closer than 100 yards, speeds past me to pull into the spot I was about to fish in, is anything I can think off. Seriasly though there are a lot of inconsiderate people out there, launch drivers included. One time there was this guy working the reed bed by my place and there is this thick patch I was catching northern in everyday and he was working the outside edge and the patch was inside by the shore, I was a good 100 yards away from the guy and he was going the oposite way I was and I went in there caught 3 northerns in a couple minutes and he started yelling at me, saying he was working that "area" I said you already worked this "area" and obviosly dont know how to catch fish and he left me alone. Then there was this eddys launch that pulled about 20 yards away from my buddies boat and anchored then broke free and hit my friends boat. There are countless memories of rude fishermen or following fisherman as I like to call them, the ones that fish a spot cause tere are other boats there. The best thing to do is to find a good spot, throw a marker about 100 yards away and in 30 minutes there will be 6-8 boats working the area right around the marker while you catch fish from a safe distance, try it, it really works. Stop the "boat rage".

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 07-30-2003).]