Having Colin in my boat forced me to consider the whole prospect of pursuing muskies with fly-fishing tackle for the first time. As a result, I've developed a bit of a fascination with the new realm of challenges this offers. Muskies can be difficult even with conventional approaches, but if you've boated them on fly-fishing tackle you've really accomplished something! Muskies should be a bucket-list fish for fly fishers, and it should be on every hard-core muskie angler's bucket list to boat some using flies.
I've had more follows on the fly than bucktails and swimbaits this year - went out less times with the fly rod even. Biting windows and a little bit of luck are heavier factors to consider than what rod you're throwing. Some days the flies beat the baitcasters and vise versa.
I’m sure it’s purely a result of habit, but strip set for muskies! Trout sets don’t put nearly as much pressure on the fish to get that hook locked in.
great show guy's but juste for a little tip do a strip hooking instead of hooking like you are fishing for trout....you want to hook the fish in the corner of the jaw not the top of the beak Cheer !! and remember fish everyday all day hahaha
Just as a PSA it is IMPERATIVE to bring your fly all the way to the boat and figure 8. You lose a ton of potential fish by not doing so. Around 50% of the muskies I've hooked have hit at the boat or within 15ft away. Don't forget the figure 8!
Do you sharpen your hooks before you tie them on? I swipe my hooks each and every time before I tie them on. I have not lost a fish to shaking a hook in about 3 yrs since I started doing that. The two species I fish for most are carp and pike. Both great fighters and notorious for breaking gear. Lines have snapped....I've had hook break off the body of the fly and the curve of the hook became a lip piercing for the fish instead
All my takes this year were on fig 8s with the fly rod. Still waiting for one to smash it on the strip, very difficult to set the hook on a 9ft fly rod when the fish is between your legs, fibers all entangled in the teeth. My T&T 12wt exocett predator still wasn't enough backbone to set properly on 8s, I don't know if there is a fly rod that can effectively handle those situations.
Having Colin in my boat forced me to consider the whole prospect of pursuing muskies with fly-fishing tackle for the first time. As a result, I've developed a bit of a fascination with the new realm of challenges this offers. Muskies can be difficult even with conventional approaches, but if you've boated them on fly-fishing tackle you've really accomplished something! Muskies should be a bucket-list fish for fly fishers, and it should be on every hard-core muskie angler's bucket list to boat some using flies.
I've had more follows on the fly than bucktails and swimbaits this year - went out less times with the fly rod even. Biting windows and a little bit of luck are heavier factors to consider than what rod you're throwing. Some days the flies beat the baitcasters and vise versa.
FIGURE 8 is a must.
I’m sure it’s purely a result of habit, but strip set for muskies! Trout sets don’t put nearly as much pressure on the fish to get that hook locked in.
agree totally!
We use orvis mirage 80lb fluorocarbon for a leader and bite guard.
great show guy's but juste for a little tip do a strip hooking instead of hooking like you are fishing for trout....you want to hook the fish in the corner of the jaw not the top of the beak
Cheer !! and remember fish everyday all day hahaha
Nothing wrong with hookin the beak, just gotta do it right!
Just as a PSA it is IMPERATIVE to bring your fly all the way to the boat and figure 8. You lose a ton of potential fish by not doing so. Around 50% of the muskies I've hooked have hit at the boat or within 15ft away. Don't forget the figure 8!
totally agree and good point. thanks
Not a problem! Catching more fish is always a good thing!
Do you sharpen your hooks before you tie them on? I swipe my hooks each and every time before I tie them on. I have not lost a fish to shaking a hook in about 3 yrs since I started doing that. The two species I fish for most are carp and pike. Both great fighters and notorious for breaking gear. Lines have snapped....I've had hook break off the body of the fly and the curve of the hook became a lip piercing for the fish instead
Yes we do sharpen them all the time as well, good advice!
All my takes this year were on fig 8s with the fly rod. Still waiting for one to smash it on the strip, very difficult to set the hook on a 9ft fly rod when the fish is between your legs, fibers all entangled in the teeth. My T&T 12wt exocett predator still wasn't enough backbone to set properly on 8s, I don't know if there is a fly rod that can effectively handle those situations.
You do rolley polley?
He needs to strip set