lol ya there was a bass federation tourny there sat..the park ranger has a schedule hanging in the little office there,ill check it next time down there and send u a pm. they have 3 or 4 bass tourn there and i heard a walleye tourn that is gonna be there this fall.

Thanks, Maniac. I did go over to Gander in Robinson Twp., but they are all out of them. Sales guy said it is the "Advantage" series. He said they had some, but some guy came in and bought the last 6 they had

Don't know if the guy knows his stuff, but he told me they are only rated for 20 lb. or so -- says I should get something heavier that'd handle up to 50 lb. braid.

The gander in Washington has W-A-A-A-Y more musky stuff.

Dudes at Washington Gander are good guys...  They have quite a bit of muskie stuff too...

i talked to tom on the phone he says he has the advantage rods in any musky size u want for 29.99...says they changed the name on the gander mtn rods from competiter to advantage says same thing.so you good to go says have lots in stock.

congrats especially on the own made lure...been making some lures...gave them to some kids....and the been catchin ...some bass...

Just a suggestion here Don, but 1 1/2 ounces isn't much in the muskie fishing world. Lots of bucktails weigh 1.5 ounces or more. Most musky cranks over 6" will weigh at least that as well.

I would recommend going with a rod capable of least throwing 2.5 ounce baits. Anything less may handle decently heavy baits, but it will kick your butt casting and retrieving it all day. I am assuming that the ugly stick is glass. If it is you can expect a heavier(weight) softer rod compared to a graphite stick, which IMO is not all that conducive to casting all day.

Well, I really lucked out........picked up one of those "competitor" series rods yesterday at a local Pgh. area flea market for $15....guy said it was only used a couple times.
This morning, I got a Cabela CSD-45L casting reel on Ebay for $31.
All in all, a very good 2 days!! Thanks to all for your help/suggestions.
Now all I need is to go rent a boat or tag along with someone. My mission is to nail a muskie before Fall.

Is anybody seeing any fish in the Mon. I fished it for 3 days and aint seen jack?

lol...looks like a troll...if you can't find a muskie in the mon you may be better at cachin bluegills.....

Hey Benthook, get your metal straightened out and lets go ice some 30 #ers!  The itsy bitsy's ain't bitin'.

Thanks Esox,

I caught 2 last year on borrowed gear & over 700 casts, but none this year - yet.
I mostly have gone after bass & walleye - get crappie on occcasion, but i love the fish that put up a fight.

I've seen around 10 musky this week only managed to put to in the boat a me a 33 and a my brother a 46.5 both today within 20 min casting weeds 

sorry guys don't know how to put pic in some help would be great thanks

went out on mon this morning, managed a 37.5 incher on a double showgirl.. not the biggest fish but ill take it.