– ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION!!
– Change out bad/most hooks and split rings
– Tie good knots
– Sharpen hooks
– Dont be stubborn….buy a dawg right away [smilie=2thumbsup.gif]

-When you launch your boat you want to make sure you have the plug in.
-When you launch alone roll your window down in case your vehicle door closes and then actually locks the door while the vehicle is on the launch and you are unhooking the boat (the dealer says this is impossible and I will never reveal where I buried his body).
-Use 80 lb braid or higher.
-Use good (over 100Lb) rated leaders.
-Keep a log.
-Don’t buy a bunch of baits until you know what you are actually looking for.
-Read some books about muskies and watch some videos from good fishermen. I really like the complete guide to musky hunting by Saric and Heitling.
-Always make a figure 8 or a “O” on your retrieves and if the water is murky then (2) are better than 1.
-If a fish hits at the boat try to set the hook back into the fish.
-Think about where you are setting the hook and where it will go if you miss.
-Get a good pair of polarized sunglasses so that you can see the fish following.
-Get a net made for muskies and learn how to net a fish.
-Use a rod at least 8’ long (longer is better) because your figure 8’s (or “O’s) will be better and easier to perform.
-Read the instruction book on your sonar and learn how to really use it. If you know someone that knows sonar go out with them and learn. You may want to leave your rods in the car for a few hours and just practice using sonar.
-If you can afford it get a GPS unit because in the long run it will invaluable.
-Watch other folks muskie fish and learn the nuances of what they do and why.
-PAY ATTENTION. The minute you look away or get distracted you will miss a fish.
-Anticipate a fish on every cast and be mentally prepared. If you are tired take a break and fish when you are ready to PAY ATTENTION.
-Check your line, leader and rod eyelets for wear and tear. You can look and feel line and leaders for nicks and use a cotton swab on the rod eyelets and if the cotton comes off in the eyelet you should have it replaced.
-Switch your braid on the reels by just pulling it off and reversing it.
-Spool your reels all the way up.
-You are better with 1-2 quality rods and reels vs 4-5 cheap setups.
-Be social and polite to people on the water and talk to them about muskie fishing and MMA.
-Show respect to other people fishing and give them distance. If someone is on “your” spot go somewhere else and come back later.
-Have a plan for when you catch a fish. First thing, talk about what you do when someone hooks into a fish, have the net ready, landing tools and discuss what each person needs to do.
-Have a camera ready before you bring a fish out of the net so you can take some pictures and let the fish go. THINK about how the picture should be framed and make sure it will be good. You may have to turn the boat so the person with the fish doesn’t have the sun in their back but if you want a good picture you need to think about it.
-If you are fishing alone think about your plan and how you would take a picture of a fish. I have marked a spot on my pedestal stand and practiced a few “fake” pictures and know where to stand in my boat so that I am ready.
-Get some good release tools and know how to use them. At a minimum this should include good cutters (knipex), long pliers (11’ or longer), jaw spreader and something like a Lindy glove to protect your hands and fingers. The release tools should be easily accessible and ready to go.
-Buy spare fuses, spare light bulbs for the trailer and carry a small tool kit in the boat.
-Make sure the jack you have for your vehicle would actually work if you got a flat on your boat trailer.
-If you see the DNR be polite and friendly and thank them for helping to protect our fisheries.
-Keep your fishing license and registration handy in case the DNR wants to see it.
-Think about a free boat inspection from the USCG or DNR. This is good from a safety perspective and when the DNR see the inspection sticker they may not pull you over.
-Wear a PFD if you are fishing alone or fishing in cold water. This link points out that most drownings occur on calm inland lakes on sunny days with less than 6” chop. If you have kids in the boat they just simply have to wear a PFD….no exceptions.
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-Think about taking a boating class through the power squadrons of USCG.
-Try to time your retrieve with your partners retrieve so that you are not both making figure 8’s at the boat at the same time.
-Take a kid or friend fishing and get them into the sport.
-Use the internet to scout out new lakes and obtain maps to study before you go.
-Save up some money and go out with a quality musky guide. If you are just starting out you can really cut down on the learning curve by hiring a guide.
-Have a sense of humor and understand that you may not catch a fish, get a follow or anything and that is part of musky fishing.
-Invest in a good rain suit and boots because it is really worth it.

"Scott Williams" said:

Bring and wear sunscreen… even on overcast days.

Don't forget tho… The 2 repelents for muskies are sunscreen and bug-repelent. I guess it's a good thing I'm part Indonesian. Never have to worry about sunscreen! [smilie=2thumbsup.gif]

I think he means that you can get that stuff on your lures and tackle, and the muskies can sense it in the water and are repelled.

Yes, that study says the fish may be stimulated to become active because of (an attractive) smell, but might'nt they just as likely move away from an obnoxious odor, as many believe in other angling circles? This study doesn't speak to that.