Muskie Northern
Muskie Northern
How to Play and Land Your Fish (part Three - Playing the Fish)
The longer you play a fish, the more fun you'll have, and the more exhausted the fish will become. You'll have an easier time landing him if you have thoroughly worn him down with the play.
A small fish can be brought in rapidly, but NEVER attempt to hurl him from the water with your rod. Applying too much rod pressure is a good way to get a broken leader, or line, or to pull out hooks. Having said that, don't go to the other extreme and coddle a fish for fear of losing it. Don't let the fish do what it wants, you should be in control at all times.
In playing a really tough, heavy fish with a bait casting outfit, place the butt of the rod into your stomach, maybe hooking it under your belt, and pump and reel. Pumping and reeling is the most practical (and natural) method for fighting strong fish, regardless of tackle used. To pump a fish, lower your rod tip, reeling fast at the same time to keep a tight line, then raise the rod tip smoothly. Repeat this until the fish is coming your way.
The slow, steady rod lift allows you to exert maximum force without the risk of breaking line or leader. Never attempt to handle a good fish by steady reeling; it doesn't fully utilize the rod's action, and reeling alone will wear you down, and prolong the action unnecessarily.
With bait casting tackle, you can apply drag by pressing down on the reel spool with your thumb as you retrieve. However, when the "big one" hits and extra drag is needed, use both thumbs. Make sure you don't apply too much pressure. Allow the fish some freedom to run or you may lose it because of line breakage, or a burned thumb. In playing most fish with casting tackle, a good plan is to hold the rod away from the body. Towards the end of the fight, when the fish is coming your way, place the butt of the rod against your stomach to reel and pump. If the fish runs again, quickly extend your arms so that the rod can take the strain.
Some of the free-spooling bait casting reels are equipped with star drags. These drags let you quickly master such big fresh water fish as walleyes, lake trout, muskies, northern pike, as well as some salt water species, without burning your thumb.
With a spinning, or a push button reel, the drag is usually adjusted at a point just below the breaking strain of the line or leader. Allowing the fish to run against the tension of the reel. The butt of the rod is placed under your belt, and you should use both hands to hold the ther rod when the fish is making his run. There will be times though, that the drag will need to be adjusted while the fish is being played. In the case of a large trout or salmon for example, running strongly in the current, you will need a minimum of drag. If the fish is in shallow water, nearly played out and ready to be pumped, you may bring the drag up to maximum. Adjustments like these become automatic after some experience.
Remember these points, and practice, and play about with them until they suit your individual style, and you'll soon be improving your catches.
About the Author
Chris Haycock is an information publisher. One of whose many hobbies is fishing, of all types. Also researching resources to help the angler. For details of one such amazing resource go to:
http://www.lostflyfishingsecrets.com
 |
 Lot of 5 New 3 Spoon Fishing Lure for Northern Pike  US $5.99
|
 3 Casting Spoons Largemoth Bass 3 Fishing Lures 85 Oz US $.99
|
 51 Fishing Lures Swimbait Firetiger Tackle Bass Trout US $59.99
|
 20 3 Fishing Spoon Lures bass pike trout salmon muskie US $19.99
|
 Lot of 3 New Walk the Dog Fishing Lures Muskie Musky US $19.99
|
 Lot of 5 NEW 32 Casting Spoon Fishing Lures Pike US $5.99
|
 Firetiger Stick Fishing Lure Muskie Musky Pike Bass US $3.99
|
 Lot of 5 245 Hammered Spoon Fishing Lures Trout US $5.99
|
 Muskie Musky Spinnerbait Fishing Lure Gold Tinsel Skirt US $.98
|
 Muskie Musky Spinnerbait Fishing Lure GRN Tinsel Skirt US $.98
|
 Muskie Musky Spinnerbait Fishing Lure Pink Tinsel Skirt US $.98
|
 9 Sledge Musky Muskie Jerkbait US $14.97
|
 These Broom Stick Baits for BIG fish are handmade fun US $6.00
|
 Bulk DBL13 Bucktail Muskie Musky Lure Spinnerbait Pike US $29.95
|
 BULK 11 Bucktail Muskie Musky Lure Spinnerbait Pike US $24.99
|
 5 Fishing Spoons 3 3 4 Inch Lures Pike Muskie Cat 1 oz US $11.99
|
 11 Mag Shad Musky Lure Northern Pike Muskie Bass 14T US $11.99
|
 6 Hagan Fishing Spoons 3 Inch Lures Pike Muskie 1 2 oz US $9.99
|
 Bass Muskie Lure Musky Bait Northern Pike Walleye FW15 US $5.99
|
 11 Bucktail Muskie Musky Lure Spinnerbait Pike Bass DV US $19.99
|
 11 Bucktail Muskie Musky Lure Spinnerbait Pike Bass DQ US $16.99
|
 11 Mag Shad Musky Lure Northern Pike Muskie Bass 3T US $11.99
|
 Bass Muskie Lure Musky Bait Northern Pike Walleye FW32 US $5.99
|
 17 Jointed GRUNT Musky Lure Northern Pike Muskie Bait US $19.99
|
 MegaD POUNDER Muskie Lure Musky Bait Northern Pike 13 US $11.99
|
 5 Fishing Spoons 3 1 4 Inch Lures Pike Muskie 5 8 oz US $11.99
|
 LOT OF 10 APLX GAME FISHING SPOONS LURES BAITS US $10.00
|
 6 Fishing Spoons 2 5 8 Inch Lures Pike Muskie Cat US $9.99
|
 Wooden Fishing Lure Northern Pike Musky Muskie 55 US $.99
|
 3 Fishing Lure Spoon for Northern Pike Largemouth Bass US $.99
|
 NEW CREEK CHUB WOODEN PIKE MINNOW 12 LONG PIKIE PERCH US $7.99
|
 NEW CREEK CHUB WOODEN PIKE MINNOW 9 LONG CCI PIKE US $5.99
|
 MUSKIE MUSKY MUSKIE LITES BUCKTAIL 2 1 2 OZ DOUBLER US $3.99
|
 2 HUGE BLUE FOX SALMON SUPER VIBRAX LURES MUSKY PIKE US $13.99
|
 Bulk Fishing lures spoons qty 50 Bass Pike NEW US $9.95
|
 ANGEL LIGHT Lighted Lure Bass Muskie Northern Pike US $5.50
|
 LUCKY CRAFT Flashminnow 190SR Magma Parrot Shad US $19.99
|
 LUCKY CRAFT Flashminnow 190SR Magma CreamYellow Perch US $19.99
|
 LUCKY CRAFT LL Pointer 200 Parrot Shad US $19.99
|
 New Koppers Live Target Yellow Perch Fish Collect US $12.99
|
 9 Grandma Lure Classic Crankbait Musky Pike HolAlewife US $17.99
|
 HUGE LOT OF 10 FISHING SPOONS LURES BAITS LK US $9.99
|
 Walleye Pike Bass Trolling Spinner PROVEN US $4.99
|
 Muskie lure woodchopper slim wood topwater bait US $2.99
|
 AMAZON RIPPER 5 1 2 PARROT BIG GAME LURE US $.99
|
 KOPPERS LIVE TARGET LURE YP98M102 METALLIC GLOSS US $13.99
|
 6 MEPPS MUSKY KILLER SPINNER MUSKIE MUSKY LURE NEW US $10.99
|
 Husky Cisco Kid Fishing Lure US $7.99
|
 SuperD Musky Swimbait Muskie Northern Pike Lure Bass US $17.99
|
 Creek Chub Pikie Fishing Lure US $5.99
|
 9 Grandma Lure Classic Crankbait Musky Pike HolSilChrt US $17.99
|
 Storm Wildeye Swim Shad 6 Perch Suspending Muskie Lure US $3.00
|
 Seahawks NFL Seahawks Spinner Fishing Lure Bait US $4.99
|
 2 AMAZON RIPPER LUHR JENSEN BIG GAME 5 1 2 FIRETIGER US $.99
|
 Lot salmo musky muskie fishing lures baits new US $8.27
|
 Old Vintage 10 Drifter Tackle Co Believer Musky Lure US $9.99
|
 Vintage 5 1980 Lucky Strike Canada Pikie Musky Lure US $5.99
|
 Heddon Super Magnum Zara Spook 8 Sucker Shore Minnow US $16.99
|
 9 Grandma Lure Classic Crankbait Musky Pike ChtCrawdad US $17.99
|
 LUCKY CRAFT LL Pointer 170SS Red Musky US $19.99
|
 |
Northern Pike And Muskie Book List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $19.99 Used From: $4.99  |
|
Northern Pike and Muskie: Tackle and Techniques for Catching Trophy Pike and Muskies by the Editors of Creative Publishing International is loaded with a wealth of information on pike and muskies along with hundreds of full color photos that will help you catch them more consistently... |
 |
Lot of 5 New Crankbait Fishing Lures for Northern Pike B Sale Price: $13.99 |
|
This lure package is custom designed for Northern Pike. These lures are brand new, our own private brand label, and are individually packaged. |
 |
ESOX Cobra Muskie & Pike Jig'n Kit Sale Price: $33.95 |
|
This complete, convenient Muskie/Pike Jigging kit has everything you need for jigging up Muskie and Pike. Includes jig heads and the (3) most effective plastic body shapes available. The kit features the world famous Esox Cobra Jig, Original Reaper Tails, Lizards and Grub Tails in the most popular sizes and colors... |
 |
Lot of 5 New Crankbait Fishing Lures for Northern Pike A List Price: $8.00 Sale Price: $13.99 |
|
This lure package is custom designed for Northern Pike. These lures are brand new, are our own private brand label, and are individually packaged. |
 |
Lot of 5 Chartreuse Fishing Lure Crankbaits for Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass Sale Price: $12.99 |
|
This lure is package is custom designed for Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Large Trout, and Salmon |
 |
Northern Wisconsin Fishing Map Guide - Oneida County Area List Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $24.95 |
|
Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Minocqua, Woodruff and Three Lakes - the southern half of Wisconsin's "Up North" vacationland. Top lakes like Lake Tomahawk, the Three Lakes Chain, Lake Minocqua, Boom Lake, Pelican Lake and the Rainbow Flowage anchor this 192-page edition... |
 |
Lot of 5 New 3" Ridged Casting Spoon Fishing Lures - .88 Oz Sale Price: $8.99 |
|
These spoons are ideal when fishing for large predator fish like northern pike, largemouth bass, salmon, trout, and muskies. These lures are brand new, our own private brand label, and are individually packaged. |
 |
Moon Glow Muskie & Pike Jig'n Kit Sale Price: $33.95 |
|
Designed for dark water and night fishing, this complete GLOW Muskie/Pike Jigging kit has everything you need for jigging up Muskie and Pike. Kit features the world famous Esox Cobra Jig, Original Reaper Tails and Grub Tails in glow and bright fluorescent colors... |
 |
Lot of 5 New 3" Casting Spoon Fishing Lures with 2 Side Spoons on each - .88 Oz Sale Price: $8.99 |
|
These spoons are ideal when fishing for large predator fish like northern pike, muskies, largemouth bass, salmon, and large trout. These lures are brand new, our own private brand label, and are individually packaged. |