Beginner - Seeking Knowledge...Want to Learn & Teach

[Deadeyemark]

Making the assumption that you're a CPR fisherman I'll say this: Ya know how you'd position your boat if you were cranking or spinnerbaiting the bank for bass - back out another 1/2 cast since those muskies usually hold off the bank suspended and work your lures accordingly. Most of the guys I see new to muskies are fishing them like bass. They take up more room. Remember, a 3-4' fish can cover 30' to your lure in a second and will sometimes. I've caught em on the first turn of the reel handle and quite a few in an 8 so always be standing in a position to set the hook darn hard and keep the rod loaded. Good luck, have fun and let us know how ya do.

[muskie guy]

Wilkstr; you have picked a good lake to try for your first muskie. The small lake on the north side of the road is actually "north silver" and is a selective gear only lake, being limited to fly fishing from float tubes and pontoon boats. I've yet to hear about any muskies being caught by the fly fishermen.

I would start off about 2 cast lengths off the rocky shore of the main road, by the public launch. There are always muskies in there. Start immediately out of the launch and work through the area heading east to the bouys in front of Rubies resort, about 300 yards. The water has gone green on us, so throw lures with a bit of flash.

I start with a crankbait in perch or firetiger cranked quickly. Then toss a spinnerbait, with a short countdown, at a medium retrieve and finally a trout or perch swimbait at a slow retrieve. I work this way, through my first area, until I find which retrieve speed or bait is getting noticed. It's typical to have fallows during most outings, so end each cast with a figure 8. If you have a couple fallows but no takers, switch colors but stay with the same style of bait.

After your first pass, move in one cast distance and move through the area again. The muskies in Silver can be very shallow. There is a nice depth change along the shore in front of the viaduct sticking out of the road bed. This spot has given up a couple fish for me this year. You'll see the change in water color if you don't have a finder.

Next, move past Rubies resort continuing east. Fish along that stretch in 4-6 feet of water casting into shore, continue all the way into the small bay. Good weeds are starting to attract the fish in the whole area. There is a long reef that runs directly south about 200 yards and it is always a good idea to run around its perimeter and cast across the shallow top. This structure is directly south of the huge house sitting on the north shore. This whole area has also produced multiple fish for me this year and is an excellent place to start your hunt.

I've got to run, but I will dish some more info on other locations that produce fish for me.

[Wilkstr]

Hey guys,
Thank you both for the info, I can’t wait to get out there and try it out. I have lost more than one bass fishing buddy after they got the steelhead fever….. maybe muskie fever will cause a bass my bass buddy to loose me!
Wilkstr