i use a 8 foot extra heavey action rod with 80 pound power pro line with a 100 pound wire leader.for lure's i like using bucktail's and topwater's to find where fish are then if i don't get a hit i'll try glide bait's,jerkbait's. frist thing to look for is weeds the thick one's off of ponit's reef's in the back of bay's that will be a start.
Down here I southernontario Most anglers troll. Because of the lack of structure. Most fish in (lake st clair) are roamers obviously trolling covers the water... Early season and fall the slimers follow there food to the river mouths. (Detroit river. Thames river. belle river.) Trolling,Jigging.Casting. all take fish and big fish 50-53inch are comin..I use 7-8 foot heavy but fast action st croix rods 50-80lb power pro. 80-100lb flo no wire I realise all fish no need for any injuries. Any other questions just ask
Time, time, and more time. Takes great sacrifices to reap great rewards :) Like with many fish, spring-early summer is the best time for numbers, fall the best time for size.
Live field mice are an awsome bait for both Muskie & Northerns. You'll need to find yourself a "live" trap for the mice ( Pet shops frown on selling you "bait")
Use a treble hook & wire leader set up. Hook the mouse using 2 of the 3 hooks on it's back. Hook it towards the rear, pop them through ( sharp really helps here ), imbed the third hook in the excess flesh on the back of the neck, apply a few drops of your favorite scent oil the "dress the wounds". Ok, now the gory part is over (by the way...a good leather glove is "highly recomended") Flip the mouse towards any dead fall branches over haning the water...10-15 ft out from the brach is good. Leave the bale OPEN, the mouse will swing for shore...if the fish is there and hungry.... BANG!!! Let him take it for a secong or two, close the bale, set your hook and get ready for the battle!
I've used this for both species and it never fails to produce!
If you don't like the gory parts and don't want to explain all the little bite marks to your wife or girlfriend, the right size elastic band around the shank of a nice big'ol treble on their back works great. Get it just right behind the front legs in the indent before it widens out to the ribcage. No matter how you do it, it isn't easy but once your set up it works great.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only Mad Scientist -HA HA HA ! Any more tricks send them my way ! I found a Small pond ( FULL ) of spotted newts in the millions and so I decided to try them on trout a smashing success , next I tried them on Pike --- it was like setting of a hand grenade when they took them - If you can find some try them - good luck .Dan Proctor