Versus running your programs ending with only six hours left to get some rest before I have to fire the rig up for the lake, is nothing but down right cruel, and the lack of sleep is definitely effecting the clarity of my fishing decisions. Despite this each program is interesting and unless the boat needs a fixing I get to watch it.
That all said the Cowgirl mention last week during your lure history program got me started on a Muskie tackle re-education orgy wanting to know more about the current state of Muskie fishing. I have a special technique which I think should also be applicable off shore, and for inner coastal waters using Muskie size plugs and may be DoubleCow Girl style baits.
I fish for Red Fish (Drum) in State stocked warm water lake using lures so large they have been used as Muskie plugs. These fish are usually larger than the Red Fish found in inner coastal waters for all but the Bull run season. We tied the fresh water 42" length Catch and Release record three weekends ago, and held it briefly 16 months ago.
Since the water clarity is no better than 2 feet I believe these Reds are locating prey using the Lateral Line senses, so DCGs should work. We have red fish hitting 7" to 12" length plugs that are only 2X to 3X the size of the plug. We minimally need 2X to 3X strength gear to deal with them. This time of year the bigger fish are down 15' to 35' so we down rig to get baits to them. I would like to get some Large DoubleCow Girl into this pay zone. However I see the DCG running high in the water column, so for this season I think I will have to use my Downrigger setup. We use Walker stackers to get four plugs into the pay zone. We pinch 30# Ande Mono adjusting the release clips almost out to the maximum tension trolling the largest 7" Bomber Long A shallow divers. We have very little additional tension adjustment left to handle a significant drag increase from a DCG style.
I want to run the largest blades I can dare troll or crank in other seasons. Before I stock up for trolling, I need to find somebody who can tell or estimate for me the torque the various size blades will pull back. I just measured my current the release tension strength. Mono line releases at 3 to 4.5# of pull. 100# Braid needed half that pull.
Is 3 to 4.5# torque enough tension to troll dual #13 or #10 blades?
Larry I am pretty sure you have fished for both Muskie and Red fish. For equal weight or lengths which do you feel fights harder and last the longest in the fight?
But versus running Friday night programs is still down right cruel. ;<)