Musky Shop Blog

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9 Best Muskellunge Fishing Lakes in Ohio
January 23, 2023

9 Best Muskellunge Fishing Lakes in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been stocking muskies diligently in several of the state’s man-made reservoirs for decades, and the results speak for themselves.

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Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Tom Doyle Lake
January 20, 2023

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Tom Doyle Lake

Tom Doyle Lake is nestled near a slew of big and small lakes that dot the wilderness just 20 minutes North of Rhinelander.

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What's The Deal With Drag?
January 16, 2023

What's The Deal With Drag?

One of those seemingly simple similarities are the adjustment and maintenance of baitcaster drag.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early January
January 13, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early January

Fishing Report for Early January

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Southern Musky Fishing | Cold Water Musky Tactics
January 06, 2023

Southern Musky Fishing | Cold Water Musky Tactics

As temperatures continue to cool during January and February Southern muskies make moves towards deeper structure and cover.

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Welcome to a New Year with Musky Shop!
January 02, 2023

Welcome to a New Year with Musky Shop!

As the owner of our small business, I really appreciate each of you and my my staff for their dedication, hard work and caring for this business as they too enjoy serving you.

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Winter Project Series: Making Your Own Bucktail
December 30, 2022

Winter Project Series: Making Your Own Bucktail

You can assemble the perfect bucktail in any color, size and configuration.

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Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Moen Lake
December 26, 2022

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Moen Lake

This month’s lake, Moen Lake, resting just east of Rhinelander in Oneida County is a great place to hang your ice fishing hat without leaving all the creature comforts behind.

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A Christmas Message from Jim Stewart
December 23, 2022

A Christmas Message from Jim Stewart

There really is nothing like having friends and or family together and someone catches a big Musky

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Christmas Venison with Cranberry Wine Sauce
December 19, 2022

Christmas Venison with Cranberry Wine Sauce

Christmas Venison with Cranberry Wine Sauce

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Best Lures for Gifting Fishermen to Wrap Up 2022
December 16, 2022

Best Lures for Gifting Fishermen to Wrap Up 2022

As far as musky baits go, there are a million to choose from at the Musky Shop, so for moms, dads, grandparents, husbands, and wives, choosing which ones to gift might be a bit overwhelming.  As Christmas is right around the corner, a short list of what might be a home run for the fisherman in your family could be exactly what you need.  Here’s a list of 10 quality lures that have made the cut and come recommended by Musky Shop.

Several new baits have hit the shelves this year and would make exciting gifts for the fisherman in your life.  A wild new rubber lure carried by the shop is the Boggs Custom Lures Mohawk.  These hand-poured rubber baits are a great add to your rubber collection as they have great undulation in the water that really get the fish excited.  They are great Fall/Winter target. 

We are also carrying some great baits from Bomb Squad like the C-4 Flaptail.  This oversized top water makes a great splash in Spring and Summer when the fish are moving shallow.  It makes a ton of surface commotion and is super easy to work with hand cranks and pulls.

Another new addition to the shop this year is the Livingston Titan.   The Titan hit the shelves this Spring and has been a great seller for all walks of fishermen.  A great bait for novices, the Titan can be worked with simple hand cranks and pulls and is a great season opener bait for Spring and Summer fishing.  It has a playful dive and rise with a twisty tail that drives the muskies wild.

For a nice twist on the classic bucktail, the Musky Frenzy Stagger 8/9 makes a great stocking stuffer.  The slight blade variation makes a big artificial thump if you’re a bucktail lover, you'll get tons of use out of it.  And as most bucktails, it's a snap to use for new folks as well.

For spinnerbait enthusiast, Acebait’s Tandem Series is perfect for ease of use and come in a few sizes for year long use.  The Tandem blade  is a great attractant with a solid body construction that lasts.  This spinner is definitely a great recommendation.

If crankbaits are your speed, then look no further than the Bucher ShallowRaider or Slammer Shallow Crankbaits.  Both of these trusted favorites come in a multitude of sizes and colors.  With both Slammer and Bucher baits, you know what you are going to get right out of the box, solid crankbaits that get the job done.  Both of these bait makers really hit the mark offering a litany of colors to get the job done on any body of water.

Some fisherfolk shy away from big rubber, but it makes a great gift for an exciting unboxing at Christmas time.  For someone that experimenting or someone who is a pro, big rubber is great for Fall fishermen.  With these folks in mind, Chaos Tackle Medussas cover all the points you want in your big rubber baits.  They have a lot of movement with undulating tentacles and really offer a great assortment of sizes and colors.  The look great underwater and are a staple amongst musky guides.

For the big reveal, if you are up for spending big bucks for the fisherman in your family, while at the same time getting them something that they may not get themselves, then Supernatural Big Baits are the way to go.  Christmas gift opening will take a pause when the big trolling bait is revealed.  This mighty bait gets the job done in every trolling situation.  They work incredibly well and are in a league of their own as far as big trollers go…big wobble, big fish!  Supernatural Baits are handmade, hand painted, and get fisherman excited on site. 

Of course, all of these suggestions are just that….suggestions.  Many folks wanting fishing gear will ask for specific items, and know exactly what their tackle box is missing, but for newcomers a bit of suggestion always helps.  Hopefully we’ve got what everyone needs this holiday season to keep the fisherfolk in your life well supplied for next season!  Merry Christmas and Tight Lines.

 

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Ice Up: Adding to your Ice Fishing Tackle Box
December 12, 2022

Ice Up: Adding to your Ice Fishing Tackle Box

As ice up is inching in, it might be time to add a few things to your box to make sure you are ready for the season.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early December
December 09, 2022

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early December

The open water fishing season has come to an end in Northern Wisconsin.

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For Newcomers to Ice Fishing: Basics of Using a Tip Up
December 02, 2022

For Newcomers to Ice Fishing: Basics of Using a Tip Up

Helpful video for those who would like to try ice fishing with tip ups!

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Cold Weather, Cold Fronts, and Deep-Water Muskies
November 25, 2022

Cold Weather, Cold Fronts, and Deep-Water Muskies

After the fall turnover, when the turmoil of turnover lake soup settles, you might be asking yourself where have all the muskies gone.

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Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late November
November 18, 2022

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late November

The open water portion of the fishing season here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is nearing the end.

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Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Long Lake
November 14, 2022

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Long Lake

Long Lake near Phelps is sandwiched between North Twin and Big Sand Lake near the Wisconsin and Michigan border.

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A Big Toothy Critter caught on a Toothy Tuff Assault Eel
November 11, 2022

A Big Toothy Critter caught on a Toothy Tuff Assault Eel

Myself, my brother, my nephew and our good friend Marcos Longoria all got together for a weekend fishing trip.

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Trolling Must Haves for  Fall Fishing Success
November 07, 2022

Trolling Must Haves for Fall Fishing Success

Here is a great list of things you need to get you going and what these tools accomplish.

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Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Early November
November 04, 2022

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Early November

With November's arrival, an above average stretch of weather continues to heavily influence fishing in the Northwoods.

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Pike Records from Around the World
October 28, 2022

Pike Records from Around the World

Interesting look at pike records from around the world

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Muskies Under Pressure: Unraveling Pre and Post Frontal Conditions
October 24, 2022

Muskies Under Pressure: Unraveling Pre and Post Frontal Conditions

The best time to catch a trophy musky (if you are following your local weather patterns) is prior to a cold frontal condition.

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Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Harris Lake
October 17, 2022

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Harris Lake

Harris Lake is a bowl lake with very moderate musky pressure.

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Gateway Lodge Mercer Muskie Madness
October 14, 2022

Gateway Lodge Mercer Muskie Madness

This weekend Gateway Lodge & Resort hosts the Mercer Muskie Madness Tournament.

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