Sardines as bait
- Thread starter TMRKD
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I use frozen sardines for channel cats all the time. I caught 4 cats this morning on them between 2-6 lbs.
Alfie.
salmotrutta
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Try using a large or XL sucker minnow from a live bait shop. I would also be trying a medium to XL sized perch, which would have to be dead, as live perch are not permitted as bait. If you are willing to sacrifice a small walleye, that would also work.
Use a fairly large hook, can be treble but not necessary, and hook the bait through the lower and upper lip.
Let the bait smack the water fairly hard, so as to draw the musky's attention. If the musky doesn't immediately snatch it up, twitch the bait around to make it look injured (an easy meal).
Depending on how large of a bait you have selected, you may need to give the musky time to swallow it before starting to reel it in. If the musky has the bait hanging out of its mouth, keep your line open and give it time to eat your bait or until you feel confident that the hook will be set properly. If you wait long enough, eventually it will completely swallow the bait. Make sure your line is strong enough so it doesn't snap when reeling in the fish. You may have to cut the line since the hook may be quite deep in the fish.
You can also use a fancier rig, with one hook through the mouth and another through the dorsal fin.
Use a fairly large hook, can be treble but not necessary, and hook the bait through the lower and upper lip.
Let the bait smack the water fairly hard, so as to draw the musky's attention. If the musky doesn't immediately snatch it up, twitch the bait around to make it look injured (an easy meal).
Depending on how large of a bait you have selected, you may need to give the musky time to swallow it before starting to reel it in. If the musky has the bait hanging out of its mouth, keep your line open and give it time to eat your bait or until you feel confident that the hook will be set properly. If you wait long enough, eventually it will completely swallow the bait. Make sure your line is strong enough so it doesn't snap when reeling in the fish. You may have to cut the line since the hook may be quite deep in the fish.
You can also use a fancier rig, with one hook through the mouth and another through the dorsal fin.
salmotrutta
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Also, I would be trying before noon or after 5pm, the middle of the day seems least active. Ideally, not long after sunrise or a couple hours before sunset.
Be as stealthy as possible. If you can launch the bait into the water from afar, this will make a huge difference. If you are right on the water's edge, the musky might hesitate.
Do not set the hook right away, unless you are using a smaller bait and you see that it is swallowed. Pike/musky like to swim around with their food sometimes, and occasionally take upwards of 30 minutes to swallow.
Be as stealthy as possible. If you can launch the bait into the water from afar, this will make a huge difference. If you are right on the water's edge, the musky might hesitate.
Do not set the hook right away, unless you are using a smaller bait and you see that it is swallowed. Pike/musky like to swim around with their food sometimes, and occasionally take upwards of 30 minutes to swallow.
NADO
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Correct me if im wrong but is it not illegal to use walleye as bait?????
Even if its not it seems really unnecessary to use a sportfish as bait.
salmotrutta
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I was thinking that if he has any dinky walleye, the musky would probably go nuts over it, but obviously you don't want to waste one over 10". It would have to be dead to be legal, and within whatever slot regulations that particular zone has in place.
But you're right, very much unnecessary since so many other options exist.
But you're right, very much unnecessary since so many other options exist.
salmotrutta
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Makes sense, but you never know, this might happen 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291o9k-sOIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291o9k-sOIA
reefrunner
Well-Known Member
Using live game fish as bait (walleye, perch, sunfish) is illegal in Ontario and if caught are some serious fines, perhaps even having your licence taken away. I would advise against it. I've witnessed a guy on Mountsberg Conservation area get a $450 ticket for using perch under a bobber for pike. Salmontrutta brings up a good point that I don't know the answer to: if it's dead can it be used as bait? At the very least it would be counted against your limit. I think suckers are OK, I know they use 'em in the States, but would have to look into the regs to be sure.
Musky are the fish of a thousand casts so don't get discouraged. You already know where she lives, that's half the battle. I would revisit the area at different times, perhaps note moon rise/set periods, low light hours around dawn and dusk is good. Hell, for a good musky I'd give it a go anytime of day, even at night. If she doesn't eat then, come back later. Further, you may be onto something getting a strike with the Mepps Musky Killer. The steak I wouldve eaten myself as you're only upping the profile of the bait, unless tigers prefer AAA grade medium rare lol. It seems attracted to the displacement of the water the big blades are making. Try double 8 or 10 blades. perhaps but a twisty tail grub on the back to up the profile. Long casts, high speed and do a lot of figure 8s boatside. sometimes if you dont see her following she'll be close by and strike on the 8. Good luck.
This '47 was caught the same way. I knew where she lived, seen her before, just had to play around with time and lure. After trying evenings and mornings on the same spot, I went back on an overcast day at like 1pm with a smaller crankbait. I'm on shore because I was in a canoe and didnt want to swim with her tryiong to land it lol. I know she looks beat up boys but I assure you she swam away. With musky im 100% CPR. Here's a release shot.
Worth getting your shoes wet.
Musky are the fish of a thousand casts so don't get discouraged. You already know where she lives, that's half the battle. I would revisit the area at different times, perhaps note moon rise/set periods, low light hours around dawn and dusk is good. Hell, for a good musky I'd give it a go anytime of day, even at night. If she doesn't eat then, come back later. Further, you may be onto something getting a strike with the Mepps Musky Killer. The steak I wouldve eaten myself as you're only upping the profile of the bait, unless tigers prefer AAA grade medium rare lol. It seems attracted to the displacement of the water the big blades are making. Try double 8 or 10 blades. perhaps but a twisty tail grub on the back to up the profile. Long casts, high speed and do a lot of figure 8s boatside. sometimes if you dont see her following she'll be close by and strike on the 8. Good luck.
This '47 was caught the same way. I knew where she lived, seen her before, just had to play around with time and lure. After trying evenings and mornings on the same spot, I went back on an overcast day at like 1pm with a smaller crankbait. I'm on shore because I was in a canoe and didnt want to swim with her tryiong to land it lol. I know she looks beat up boys but I assure you she swam away. With musky im 100% CPR. Here's a release shot.
Worth getting your shoes wet.
