It's Muskie Time

[KevinWakeman]

Just heard from muskie guide Ron Fulk that the bite is finally hot. He went out today and got 4 muskies in the boat. 30" 32" 34" and 36". I'll be out sometime this week to see if I can get one.
Might even try a sucker or two. Anybody use those Pete Mania "lift off rigs" before ??
Good Luck,
Kevin W

[npike]

Sounds like it was a fun day. I've been hereing alot about fall being the time to sucker fish. Last time out Denney had some in the bait shop but when seen the size of them I knew I didn't have a rig for fishing them. Are there any rigs you have had success with. And is it hard keeping them from running into snags. When sucker fishing this time of year are you just outside the weed line or looking for a certain depth. Any other info would be helpful. Thanks NPIKE

[KevinWakeman]

Pete Mania likes the biggest suckers he can find, 2 or 3 pounders even. Get the biggest Denny has, get one of his giant bobbers and a harness (the guys at Lakeside will show you just what you need), set him about 3 feet deep, and drag it 10 feet behind the boat as you cast the shorelines with your other rod.(keep your spool free with the baitclick on) Good Luck.
Kevin W

[NxtRecordholder]

One thing to add to Kevin's post:

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SUCKER!!!!

DO NOT LET THE MUSKY SWALLOW THE RIG!! According to recent studies, this results in a fatality rate of 100%!!!

I see guys drift by all the time with a sucker behind them. They'll go minutes at a time without looking. Don't just depend on the clicker.

[npike]

Thanks for the replies.
NPIKE

[JTH]

If you have two guys in your boat you can run a rod behind with a sucker under a float like Kevin said & also set a rod between you two casters. You will be surprised how many following fish will turn off your casting lures and smoke that sucker.

Good Luck!!

Thad Hinshaw

[davep]

The Maina lift off rig works well. And yes, keep it closer to the boat rather than farther. Also, hit the fish immediately as it is going away from you. Do not wait. A good rule of thumb is to keep the sucker about half way down in the water column. Watch your sucker. If it starts acting frisky, it could be because of a muskie. That happens alot.
FYI: I use the rubber bands you use when you have braces for your teeth instead of what comes with the Maina rigs. Those rubber bands seem to break away alot easier when you set the hook.
Keep your bait clicker on to signal a fish moving with your bait.

[dave_goodlaxson]

I think that his name is Pete MAINA, not Mania, although I think he does have a mania for catching muskies!!

[KevinWakeman]

Pardon my spelling. About half of my gear has his name stamped on it.