Fish-Hawk.Net

I fished for musky my first time last fall. Caught two fish in two days!
Needless to say I am hooked and will be spending stupid amounts of money on lures for years to come.
My questions are:
What is a decent entry level Rod/Reel combo, mainly(90%) for trolling? I don't want to spend hundreds, but I want to pay enough to get good quality.
Should I buy a tackle box or just make my own tube box?
I want a better net option, I'll be fishing mostly from a pontoon boat, so cradles won't work. What is the best net for the fish's welfare?
I tend to read as much as I can once I become interested in a hobby, but I have never seen an article on how to outfit a beginner...

My first two muskies:




[EDIT]

So for the other newbies keeping track:

Rod:
7',
Medium Heavy to Extra Heavy Power,
Medium Fast to Fast Action,
20-50lb / 0.014-0.018in line weight/diameter (which I guess is the mono measurement, so superbraid at that diameter will get you your 80-100lbs test),
3oz. or heavier lure rating,
1 piece
I think I will be getting: Shimano Compre CPCM68XH

Reel:
The Abu Garcia 6500C3 (1115458) was the most suggested reel for a dual purpose reel (casting and trolling)
3 ball bearings
5.3:1 gear ratio
14/245 line weight/length

Net:
Frabill seems to be the most suggested net.
Features to look for:
strength/size needed for a muskie sized catch, knotless mesh that is easier on a fish’s scales, eyes, slime coat and fins
I think I will be getting: Frabill 28'x50" PowerCatch Kwik Kradle Landing Net Model: 8465 A cradle I might be able to use!

Mini Bolt Cutters:
Most times its better to cut the hook.

Line:
Superbraid 80-100lbs test
It sounds like too thick of a line to me, we don't even use that heavy a line for tarpon!
I am going to stick with 30-40lbs I think, maybe 50lbs, probably powerpro.

Leaders:
80-100lbs
Trolling: 36"to 48" Fluorocarbon if you can afford it, why not try and make your own!
Casting: 18" steel

If I missed something or you have a comment let me know and I can edit...

[/EDIT]

Welcome to Fish Hawk.....

Mainly fish out of a Pontoon you say, eh???... ..so do I here on the Ottawa R. .....I'll put together a reply to your questions and send you a pm

TnMH

Nice fish!!

Your hooked

www.muskiescanada.ca

We have a couple chapters out your way and lots of great info....

welcome I got hooked 2 years ago 46 incher first muskie ever. I think I have spent about $400 on lures and a cheap rod since. I have a bunch of different baits my favorits right now are bucktails. Lots of other things in every colour just to be able to change it up to something different. Haven't caught anything near that size again but still get out all the time. I hear the rubber nets are better if ur not going for the cradle. A pontoon would have lots of space for some good fishing. Im guna be looking for a bigger takle box there are some good ones designed for large baits. Ill be pickin up a lot more baits now that I'm in an area with more opportunities. Its addictive and tons of fun, cant wait for some open water.

for $300 you can have a good reliable setup

xxcanuckxxx

I too am a fellow muskie nut.

My suggestion is to attend some MCI or OVCM meetings. Get to know some guys etc.

There are also alot of good musky fishermen on here. From the pics it seems your doing pretty darn good!

As for gear. I started out with some spinners, glidebaits, a bulldawg and a topwater bait. I bought a second-hand Loomis rod and a new reel (from a fellow MCI member). I also bought a large frabill net and a good set of cutters (knipex). During the down season, I'd suggest joining 1 of the 2 musky clubs available in the area. Learn as much as you can about catch and release. Nobody is going to reveal a "sweet-spot" but if you know musky habitat...you'll know where to start casting/trolling.

Good luck!

Ditto,this upcoming season will be my second and i was hooked on my first muskie!
I have since become a member of Muskies canada and they are a bunch of awsome guys,allways willing to teach.Go and sit in at the next meeting.

Geos wrote:I went through all this last fall.

#1 The best thing you can do is go out with or take someone that knows what there doing

#2 the Ottawa chapter of muskies canada is your best resource for all things muskie (but it may push the limits of "safe for fish" fishing)

#3 Dont think for a moment catching 2 or even 1 muskie a trip out will be the norm.

I believe xxcanuckxx is from the Toronto area and won't be able to attend the Ottawa chapter meetings....

No he wouldn't...
Thanks for pointing that out Steve.

He would be able to go to the Toronto or Kawartha Lake Chapter meetings.

There is also a Mississauga Chapter and a Kitchener Chapter if he wants to commute a little.

-J

well if youv only been out for muskie twice and you have already caught two

..........your doing alot better then me

Jamsers wrote:No he wouldn't...
Thanks for pointing that out Steve.

-J

Daijoubu desu yo!!!!!

TroutnMuskieHunter wrote: Daijoubu desu yo!!!!!

Bass Addict wrote:

TroutnMuskieHunter wrote: Daijoubu desu yo!!!!!

Sorry Paul....I'll translate it for you and Jamsers (his fantasy has put him in Yokohama now according to his avatar )


It means "no problem" in Japanese....I used to travel to Japan frequently on business many years ago and picked up a few phrases here and there

BUT...lets not hijack xxcanucksxx post

Check your pm's xxcanuckxx