Ice Musky

[wetwaders]

There have been a few reports of people pulling some musky through the ice this winter. Anyone on the boards done this? I want to know what kind of tackle works best? I assume you would need a steel leader and something a little tougher than your standard ice fishing pole.

WW
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[Theekillerbee]

If you are out to target them, you need a good stiff rod, and some appropriate line. I don't know that you have to have a steel leader, but you'd better have a good braid. I'd use large jigs, that imitate the natural feed base.

I've caught one out of there many many years ago on 4lb test while fishing for perch, got very lucky and was able to get him onto the ice. I think most people will hook into them with light line, and one good shake of the head and the line goes pop!
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[fuzzyfisher]

well i would not use steel leaders in less your planing on uesing plane bait.. a jig or spoon you should not need cable. the hook should not get so deep as to need one.. try big stuff thats minnicks a perch..

good luck.
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[DKSRenegade]

I hooked a Tiger at Pineview when the ice was 4" thick and you could see through it. I was fishing with a noodle perch rod and 4 # line. The fish pulled well enough, but with a light drag, he stayed on up to the point that I had his nose to the ice hole. The line broke off where it came in contact with the bottom of my hole.
Mt son iced a Tiger 2 weeks later without any special line.
You just need to keep the drag loose enough so that the fish can have it's head and not snap the line.
We both caught them with a small spoon tipped with wax worm.
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[wetwaders]

DKS

After I made my post, someone else asked the same question in the main Ice Fishing forum. There is a video of some guys in Minnesota targeting them. They use some seriously heavy tackle and one guy drilled 3 overlapping holes (that's not legal here right?). I think it is best for the fish to land it quick and release it. Light tackle can really stress the fish due to the time it takes to land one. I have caught tigers in the summer on a big daredevil and think I am going to try to jig one tipped with a wax worm and try my luck. Thanks for your thoughts
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[wetwaders]

Ron,

I hooked into a musky while throwing a big Daredevil from the shore. I only had 8# test with a steel leader because I had not planned on fishing for musky that night. I fought it for about 20 minutes before I had it to shore and one of it's teeth had nearly worn through the steel leader. I still have the leader. I think unless your using a heavy line like fireline a steel leader is a must. Thanks for weighing in.

WW
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[HookJaw_Brimhall]

I always use Stren 10 pound "Big Game" line. This line is awesome and and it almost feels like 6 pound line. You can have some good fights will the smallies with not being at all worried if a tiger bites. People do catch tigers on 4 pound line but it's pretty risky. I have had tigers side swipe my rapalas and and overcompensate and snip the line right in front of the lure. I would go with the Big Game and some steel liter.
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[CROSSINEYES]

GO TO UTUBE AND TYPE IN A SERCH FOR ICE FISHING. VIDEOS SHOW SOME WAY COOL ICE TACTICS FOR THOSE TOOTHY CRITTERS.
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