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Fishing Equipment Checklist
RODS, REELS and LINES
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Good Rod Tube for air travel
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At least TWO Medium heavy weight pike/muskie rods and reels with 20# to 50# line for pike, lakers.
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Baitcasters are recommended for accuracy, but quality heavy spinning gear is very acceptable. We recommend something comparable to 6'6" to 7'2" Muskie Rod MH with a size 400 good baitcaster reel filled with 50# to 65#TUF-LINE XP spectra braided line which has a very small diameter. Large capacity spinning reels may be filled with the non-twisting sprectra braids such as TUF-LINE Plus in 18 or 30# line, which is half the diameter of comparable monofilament lines. For monofilament we suggest at least 20# line for pike.
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Medium weight spinning rod and reel with 8# to 12# monofilament line for grayling,walleye,
or an Ultra light spinning rod and reel with 2# to 4# line.
TACKLE
For catch and release fishing we recommend barbless hooks, and they are required for much of Canada's great fishing destinations. This is easily achieved with a pliers by pinching the barb down against the shank of the hook. It is no different is fishing technique. Just keep even steady pressure on the fish in order to let the rod do its job in playing the fish.
You may want a large jaw spreader and long shank pliers for hook removal, such as the Xtractor, (which we recommend you tie to the boat with a cord to prevent loss). Remove hooks from fish while holding them over the water's edge of boat-side. If they start to twist and turn, just let go - the fish drops into the watrer and nobody gets hurt. Of course, guides will help in handling fish.
Spoons (for pike and big sponns for lakers)
- Eppinger Daredevils (white/red, white/chartreuse, chartresue, pink, black/white)
- Len Thompson five of diamonds spoons (yellow/red, yellow/black)
- Doctor Spoons (silver or gold with patterns)
- Johnson Silver Minnows
- Red Eye Wigglers
Spinnerbaits and Bucktails
- Lindy M & G Spinnerbait
- Lindy Buck-a-Boo in-line spinner with Marabou
- Strike King Mag JR Spinnerbait, 1.25 oz.
- Yakima Roostertails for grayling, 1/32-1/16 oz.
Crankbaits
- Yakima Flatfish ( up to size T-60 for big lakers)
- Grandma's crankbaits (pike & lakers), in various depth & size
- Rapala original, Shad Rap, Rattlin Rap for walleye
- Storm Thunder Sticks (walleye)
Jerkbaits
- Poe's Giant Jackpot (topwater pike)
- a good side-to-side action bait to work 1-2 feet below the surface
- Phantom Jerkbait (pike)
Jigs & Soft Plastics
- With leader attached, 3/8 oz. Jig for pike, with Strike King 3X Cyber Flexxx 6" & 8" lizards & 10" Iguana
- 1/8-3/8 oz. mushroom head jig and plastic grubs for walleye
Leaders & Terminal Tackle
- Wire, 9" to 12" with swivel, (single strand wire for jerkbaits),the new titanium multistrand leaders will not kink, and have a long life. They do require replacing worn snaps with new snap/split ring. Bring extra terminal tackle parts.
Miscellaneous
- Xtractor Hook Removal Tool, jaw spreaders, Hook sharpener, extra line, knife, spits ring pliers (Simply Fishing's 3in1 Leader Tool). Use small cord to tie tools to boat to prevent accidental loss over board.
Tackle Sources: Your favorite neighborhood tackle retailer, Simply Fishing's selected items catalog at 1-800-222-8775, Thorne Bros. mail order in Minneapolis at (763) 572-3782 and Rollie & Helen's mail order Catalog at 800-458-1205. All offer the most complete selections for pike, lake trout and muskie.
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