Help Getting Started Please?

[Lotech Joe]

I'm thinking seriously about starting to fish for Pike and Tiger Muskies. I don't want to do anything wrong ethically or otherwise. I've been looking at some of the lures needed for Muskie fishing and I'm quite frankly appalled at the prices. Some are from $12 to $18. If I can ask here some questions pertaining to Muskie and Pike fishing, they would be as follows;
1. Can I build my own lures and where can I find the components?
2. Do I really need a steel leader?
3. Is Catch & Release the rule ethically?
4. Do I need a Knotless net in Washington if I'm going to release all flish?
And this is the toughest one for me to figure out.
5. How do you pick them up without hurting the fish or yourself?

Any and all help accepted with much appreciation.
Thanks,

[jigman]

Joe, this was my 1st year chasing Tigers and managed to put 19 in the boat, all on home made bucktail spinners. Let me see if I can anwser some of your questions.

1) Yes, you can build your own spinners. Blades and components can be had thru Pen-Tac on the internet. #6 blades work good, you will have to find heavier hooks then they offer.

2)A steel leader is a good idea, prevents getting bit off. They have nasty teeth.

3)Catch and release is the way to go. The numbers of fish are too low to kill them.

4)Knotless nets are the way to go. Frabill makes a nice net, the power catch. I use the big Kahuna by frabill.

5)Check out the NW Tiger Pac website for info on how to handle the fish. I usually get one hand under their gill plate without touching the gills with my thumb under their jaw. Lift the fish out of the net and put your other hand under their belly for a horizontal hold. A quick pic and back in the water. I measure them in the net and never weigh them as holding them vertically is hard on them. The less time out of the water the better. Mike

[tmusky1]

All the above tips are good but the most helpful tip I can share is don't get discouraged. Stay after them. All it takes is one follow and you'll be spending that $12- $18 without even thinking twice. Make sure you're gear is good quality stuff. Watching a tiger swim away with your lure binding his mouth shut probably isn't a very nice thing to see. Good luck

[Don Wittenberger]

1. Can I build my own lures and where can I find the components?

Rollie and Helen's has lure components. You can sometimes find inexpensive muskie lures on eBay. You don't really need a lot of them; a few bucktails will get you started.

2. Do I really need a steel leader?

Yes, or flourocarbon (better). If you don't, the muskies' teeth will cut your line.

3. Is Catch & Release the rule ethically?

Strictly speaking, you are entitled to keep any fish that is legal to harvest. Most muskie anglers practice voluntary C & R because it has a big impact on the quality of the muskie fishery.

4. Do I need a Knotless net in Washington if I'm going to release all flish?

No, Washington doesn't require knotless nets, but they're better for the fish.

5. How do you pick them up without hurting the fish or yourself?

See the tmusky1's thumbnail above. Note one hand is holding the fish by the jaw, and other is under the belly, and the fish is kept horizontal. Also notice he's wearing gloves to protect his hands from the fish's teeth and gill rakers, which can cut you up pretty good if you're not careful. The best way to handle a muskie, of course, is to leave it in the net or cradle when extracting the hooks and never remove it from the water. When releasing a muskie, grip it just ahead of the tail and keep it upright until it pulls away. You'll be able to tell when the fish is ready to swim on its own.

[bad esox]

Hey loTech Joe,

The guys on this thread have given you some great advice. If you want to learn more about muskies "in general" and in the State of Washington. Check out: nwtigermuskies.com There is a lot of good information on this page and some very informative links.