Fishing Reels Do’s & Don’ts: Drag Settings
This article was originally published in the Release Journal of Winter 2025 (Vol.48 Issue 4) The drag system in your muskie reel is essential, offering protection for your reel and tackle components. It essentially acts like a pressure release valve. The factory drag rating for your reel has been determined by the components that make […]
Trailer Maintenance
We are only 2 sleeps away from the opener on the Ottawa river. With my opening day fishing plan in place (since Feb.), thoughts turn to other important aspects of Muskie fishing that can definitely make or break your day. Trailer Maintenance by Trevor Smith Originally published in the Muskies Canada Release Journal May/June 2010 […]
Targeting Big Fish
By Jeff Gardner Originally published in the Release Journal March/April 2010 Browsing across the various web forums or flipping through the pages of magazines, one might be led to conclude that trophy muskies are only accessible to those willing to pound it out in frigid, windy November and December conditions. The fact of the matter […]
Catch and Release Angling: A Review with Guidelines for Proper Fish Handling Practices
Casselman, S. J. 2005. Catch-and-release angling: a review with guidelines for proper fish handling practices. Fish & Wildlife Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 26 p. Click here to view summaries from all archived OMNR publications. Executive Summary The use of catch-and-release practices by anglers is increasing. This increase is a result of […]
Fishing Jerk baits
I love going back through old Muskie magazines and articles looking for “new” ideas. This isn’t rocket science. The tools we use now are radically different and better than they were 20 years ago, but we’re still trying to fool an animal with a brain the size of a pea and get it to attack […]
Did You Know
Muskies Canada Release Journal – March April 2006 Sunny Afternoon: Many times during the summer, you find yourself fishing between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm in prime afternoon sunshine and boating traffic. On busy water these can be less than prime times. Even though this is summer, your energy and a muskie’s […]
Short line trolling
By John Anderson Catching a fish trolling at 5.8 mph with 4 feet of line out off the corner of your boat is one of those things that you just have to see before you can believe it. I didn’t start trolling short lines seriously until the early 90’s. Last year, it became a game […]