ronengland

Would like to hear opinions anyone may have on this.
I've caught a few Muskies over the years in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. Always a thrill to catch them, going out in a small outboard plugging away. I hear that they are now becoming more plentiful and a bit easier to catch in some Minnesota lakes. Some say just getting a few "follows" is a good day for Muskie fishing.
However, a friend of mine, who only occasionally fishes, told me about a recent "Party Boat Outing" he and 5 others took on the St. Clair River. The 6 of them caught 9 Muskies in the one outing. Instead casting big lures the way I am used to, the Captain put out 12 lines trolling up and down the river, and of course everyone took turns reeling in the fish.
This commercial type of fishing for a sporty, fighting fish like the Muskie just turns me off.
Your thoughts.....

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

Most of my Muskie fishing has been In Wisconsin and the U. P. Of Michigan... Mepps Comet Mino in silver and gold color blade was the go to lure of choice... I tried trolling for them but it was too boring and I kept getting caught up in the weed... The purist Muskie Fisherman mostly cast for them... If trolling is legal where they are fishing it’s fine with me... Look at the revenue that the local economy is receiving... There must be a demand for their guide service... I assume that it’s catch and release and they use artificial fishing lures that the Muskies don’t become injured with...

J.R. Sloan Loc: Inland Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Hmm. Hadn't thought of the Econ impact of Muskies like that, using commercial trolling techniques. Definitely worth a thought or two. With that in mind,

If anybody wants to try to do that to the very, very annoying Northern Pike invaders that are scarcifying our big lake trout and salmon populations up here in the PNW, COME ON OVER! We even offer bounties on some species to keep up the gamefish counts.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, my thoughts on this matter, for what it is worth. I fished muskie, with a guide in the Lake of the Wood in the mid-60s. Nothing. In the 70s I went up to the Chippawa Flowage for 4 days. Nothing. In the 90s I went to Lake Mich. for 3 days, Nothing. Now I may be a slow learner but I'm not stupid. So, If I wanted a catch a muskie, I might try these guys, but I don't think so. (MHO)

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

This bothers me. I guess I'm old school but I'm the guy plugging away on a small lake near Eagle River, Wi, for musky on a rainy, cold, fall day. "Just one more cast" I would say. Then I'm going in.

Then I'd get a follow. Then another. Then bang, the water explodes and the line is heading from the shallows to deeper water. Nothing like it. Happened very rarely for me. Nothing like it. Forget the trolling idea. Just my take.

Jump Master Loc: Algonac, Michigan

Try using large stick baits and trill them close to the boat. Muskees often inspect the cavitation bubbles from the propeller. If your bait is within a few feet of the prop wash you will get bit. Large baits are ideal. 10-12 inches are recommended. I grew up and lived in Algonac Michigan (home of Chris Craft Boats) on the St Clair River and Lake St. Clair.

sefishbum

To me, trolling is for hungry fishermen. You have GOT to eat therefor you use all kinds methods to bring fish aboard. Electrocuting and dynamite are other ways to guarantee fish in the fry pan. But, for me I like the challenge and the fun in getting a musky to come up and investigate. Can I entice em? Is he ready to eat? I can get a dry mouth waiting on the fish to take the next step. Yep! It's the excitement I find in fishing rather than gathering food. Trolling isn't sport, it's gathering food. And, after catching on hook, I may just eat the rascal!

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

All the Muskies that I have caught have been less than 36”. Most were “HAMMER HANDLES” which is what some of us call the smaller size fish. The numbers are low which makes it very difficult to catch. The “Muskie Range” is limited to Northern USA and Canada 🇨🇦 for the most part. The Saint Lawrence Seaway construction was the demise of the “GREAT MUSKIE” dynasty.. Hi- bred Muskies are the cross breading of Pure Muskies and Pure Northern Pike.. They can tolerate warmer water and won’t reproduce.. I call Muskie fishing “ THE THRILL OF THE ELUSIVE Chase “ <%{~~~<< ...