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Recommended Gear
***Female-Friendly Gear Recommendations*** (and some the guys will like, too!)
I. General Fishing Apparel
It is always colder & more windy on the lake...You want to stay warm & dry to be comfortable and enjoy your day. So, wear weather appropriate clothing! This means:
a. If rain is forecasted, bring both rain jacket & pants. Make sure they will fit over your clothing and you'll still be able to cast in them. Quality raingear made for women is available at Gander Guide Series, Cabela's, and made by Columbia and Frog Toggs.
Here, Cabela's GuideWear kept me warm and dry and able to turn a client onto a very nice musky on a miserably rainy day!
b. Dress in layers, you can always take them off! I suggest a windbreaker layer and a hooded sweatshirt. If you are fishing in early spring or late autumn, bundle up...Check out Cabela's or Gander Mountain's waterproof hunting clothes for men, women, or youths (depending on your size). I wear waterproof coveralls in the late fall.
c. Hats....a necessity to keep the hair out of your eyes and the glare of the sunshine off your face. I find many women prefer visors.
d. Shoes...don't forget to protect your feet, too! If it is going to rain, wear waterproof shoes!! There's nothing worse than soggy, cold feet. I wear boots made by Wolverine. In the summer, I wear their uninsulated Julia Hikers. During cold weather, I wear their insulated, waterproof Ridgeline boots. I highly recommend them. To find a dealer near you, check out the store locations on the site www.wolverine.com
 
e. Polarized sunglasses: These are a must to adequately look at underwater structure (and enjoy the adrenaline rush of a big musky following your lure!). I suggest Costa Del Mar's MP2 series, in the green mirrored glass. These glasses fit a gal's smaller sized face very well (and they look great!) and the lens color works in variable light conditions. Visit www.costadelmar.com for a complete dealer list.
f. Gloves: Again, if you are fishing in cold weather, you'll need to protect yourself. I wear waterproof, fleece gloves that are from Cabela's women's hunting catalog, style # GP-91-2236. Sadly, I've just found out they've discontinued this product. Ladies: please call Cabela's and ask that they once again offer these gloves! Speak to product development or customer service and make sure they log in your inquiry. There is strength in numbers and if we all make an attempt to let our voices be heard, they may bring these gloves back. If they do, buy two pairs. You'll love them!!
In the meantime...please share your glove ideas with me!
 
Looking for release gloves? Check out www.muskyarmor.com They offer some nice gloves that are designed to help you avoid gill rakers. They are offered in sizes med-xl.
g. Jewelery: Take it off. You don't want to catch your diamond ring in the mouth of a musky! I do wear a quality, waterproof sportswatch. I suggest St. Moritz's diver's watches, the Momentum series. Log onto their website: www.st-moritz.com to find their stores and web dealers. Yep, mine even has a PINK face!
 
h. Cosmetics: Definitely not a requirement! However, do apply sunscreen or lotion with spf on any exposed skin. During windy conditions, I really like Kiehl's All-Sport Non-Freeze weather shield...it's a great balm. It can be ordered at: www.kiehls.com Aveda and Burt's Bees make fantastic products, too. Burt's Bee's Lifeguard's Choice Lip Balm and Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme are wonderful.
II. Musky Huntress Gear
A. Rods & reel combos:
a. Beginner musky huntress: Shimano Compre CPCMF70MH or H rod (7'0"-7'2" musky rod, med-heavy power, med-fast action) / Shimano Cardiff 300 reel. Spool with 65# Power Pro and 80# fluorocarbon leader (for small bucktails, topwaters, spinnerbaits, etc.)
b. Intermediate musky huntress: Compre CPCM62XH or 66H rod (6'2" -6'6" musky rod, heavy or extra heavy power, fast or med-fast action)/ Cardiff 300 reel. Spool with 65# Power Pro and a solid steel leader.(For walk-the-dog lures, gliders, jerkbaits, twitchbaits)
c. Diehard musky huntress: Compre CPCM7676H rod (7'6" -8'0" musky rod, heavy or extra heavy power, fast action)/ Calcutta 400B reel. Spool with 65# Power Pro and 80# fluorocarbon leader.(For bulldogs, larger crankbaits, larger bucktails, longer casts)
 
Shimano Rods are "user-friendly" because they are lightweight and have a narrow, contoured foregrip. This ergonomic design will create less fatigue when throwing big musky plugs for several hours. Inherently, women lack upper body strength. Holding the rod by the foregrip, instead of palming the reel, takes the weakest part of the hook set (the wrist) out of the equation and adds the power of the lower body.
I couple my rods with either Shimano Calcutta 400's or Cardiff 300's. The Shimano Cardiff 300 reels are especially female-friendly because they are lightweight and have a recessed reel foot. If you do decide to "palm the reel" this set-up is much more comfortable. The drag systems on Shimano reels are without comparison!
I also like the new Shimano Curado 300DSV reel. This is a low-profile baitcaster (like you'd typically use for bass fishing) but made for big game fishing. It generates an amazing 15# of drag and was field tested on 60# golden dorados. It casts so incredibly smooth, you forget you are casting...It has high efficiency gearing and brings in 28" of line per crank. So, it is heavy duty enough to pull in hard fighting fish, yet offers a fast retrieval. Visit www.shimano.com for complete dealer list
B. Line, leaders
a. On my musky reels, I always use a superbraid line called Power Pro. I use 65# test. This is a thin diameter (equivalent to 16# monofilament) line that is very strong, resilient, and easy to tie knots. I like it because it doesn't have a tendency to "bury" in your spool, thus lessening the chance of line breakage or birds nests. Have your local tackle shop put a mono backing onto your reel (to cut costs and prevent slippage) and then spool on the Power Pro.
www.powerpro.com 
b. For all straight retrieve lures, tie on an 80# test fluorocarbon leader. This is a very hard & resilient line that looks similar to monofilament...only it is thinner, so you can still tie knots with it!
c. For all lures that I have to manipulate (jerkbaits, twitchbaits, etc.) I tie on a solid wire jerkbait leader.
  
Big Game Twitch Baits Roberts Outdoors TopRaiders Rollie & Helen's Musky Huntress Kits!
Beginners & Intermediate Kits available
www.muskyshop.com
Lures for Musky Fishing:
Beginner: Roberts Outdoors TopRaider, Roberts Outdoors Buchertail 500 or 700, Grim Reaper Wildcat Spinnerbait, Mania/Drifter Tackle Lilly Tail, Mepps Giant Killer Minnow, Mepps Muskie Killer, Mepps Marabou, Musky Innovations Shallow Invader, Big Game twitch bait (5”), Mania Squirrley Jake (6”), Rapala Husky Jerk, Hi-Fin Creeper, Mouldy’s Original Hawg Wobbler (6.25”), Drifter Grinder,Musky Buster Low Rider, Bait Rigs 6" Esox Cobra Shadtail, 1/2 oz & 3/4 oz cobra jigs with 8" grub or reaper tails, 4" Rattlin' Shads.
Intermediate: Mepps Giant Killer, Mepps Magnum Musky Killer, Super Slayer Slippery Sam, Musky Mayhem Lil Eagle Tail, Musky Innovations Chatterbait Jr., Llungen Tail 6”, DeLong Killer Eel, Big Game Twitch Bait (7”), Musky Innovations Bull Dawg(9”), 9" Esox Cobra Magnum Shadtail, River Run Manta (8” sinker), Suick 9” weighted Thriller,Drifter Triple D, Bucher Shallow and Depth Raider (baby and regular sizes, jointed),
Salmo Whitefish, Crane 206, Grandma 6”, Believer 8” jointed, Poe’s Giant Jackpot, Mania’s Doc, Hellraiser Cherry Twist, Llungen Lure's In-Pulse.
Advanced: Musky Mayhem Showgirl, Cowgirl, and SilliGirl, Bucher Shallow and DepthRaiders (straight), Bucher Swim’n Joe, Amma Bamma, Reef Hawg (6”), Cobb’s Glider, Bagley Bang-O-B (DB-08), Mania Jake (8” and 10”), Grim Reaper Hot One, Suick 9” unweighted Thriller, Fuzzy Duzzit, Moore’s Creatures, Bait Rigs Esox Magnum Grubtail, Storm’s Suspending Wildeye Swim Shad, Smuttly Dog (6”).
III. Bass and Smaller Pike Combos
- Spinning Combo: (for vertical presentations or using plastics)
Shimano Convergence CVS 66MH Rod.
Shimano Sedona 2500 Reel or 4000 Reel
Spool the 2500 reel with 10-12# monofilament line, something with very low
memory, you’ll want a limp line that will not coil. If using 14# mono or
superbraids (i.e. Power Pro) above 30# you’ll want to purchase the 4000 reel to
alleviate line coil and management problems.
A fluorocarbon leader can help prevent bite offs.
Selling points:
*(ROD) This rod will allow you to work a wide variety of lures, including the very popular (and effective) plastics. Always buy a quality product, you don't want tackle problems when you are out on the water. Convergence series and up have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
*(REEL) This larger spinning reel has a large line capacity. It’ll handle 12# mono and superline up to about 30# strength. For 14# mono (or superbraid above 30#), you’ll need to upgrade to a 4000 size reel.
*(LINE) 10-14# monofilament, a fluorocarbon leader will help prevent bite-offs. Limp line is easier to spool and less likely to tangle. Stiff line can hinder the action of your baits. Thinner line offers less water resistance, which allows your bait to get down faster and run deeper. It is also less visible to the fish. But, usually the limper the mono the more stretch. (When trolling or deep fishing use stiff mono). Limp line does weaken faster, so change often (it’s inexpensive). Have tackle shop re-spool right before your vacation--then, I like to let all line out (“troll it out” without a lure attached) and bring it in to be sure it is wound on level.
B. Baitcasting Combo:
Shimano Clarus CSC66MH Rod
Shimano Cruxis CRX200 Reel
12-14# mono or fluorocarbon or superbraid (i.e. Power Pro) equivalent.
Selling points:
*(ROD) The MH power is not overly stiff but an excellent rod to do many techniques like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jig n’ craws, slopfishing, etc. Convergence series and up have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
*(REEL) Good line capacity reel with Super Free mode and HEG (High Efficiency Gearing). This will cast lighter lures but it is heavy duty enough to be able to pull in hard fighting fish and have good line recovery retrieval. The low profile is ergonomic; is comfortable to cast all day long.
*(LINE) Use line that is supple but very abrasion resistant when fishing around logs, stumps and rocks. Fluorocarbon and superbraid line (i.e. Power Pro) is more expensive initially, but it will last longer and helps prevent bite-offs.
 
Lures for Pike Fishing:
Beginner: Mepps Syclops (1/2 oz.), Timber Doodles (1/2 oz.), Mepps #4 plain spinner (red & white) with Mister Twister Tail, Helin Flatfish, Johnson’s Silver Minnow, 3" and 4" Rattlin' Shads, Red Eye Wigglers, 4” crawfish by Roberts Outdoors (chartreuse pepper color), Bucher’s Slopmaster ½ oz. -3/8 oz.
Intermediate/Advanced: Mepps Musky Killer, #3 Syclops, large Dardevle Weedless Spoons (nothing bigger than 1 oz.), Roberts Outdoors baby depthraiders, Suick Thrillers (smaller size), Super Shad Raps, Weed-Weasel jig (jig size: 3/8 oz-1/2 oz) tipped with 4” minnow, Forage Minnow, 3” PT Crankbait by Roberts Outdoors.
 
Lures for Bass Fishing:
Beginner: Mepps Syclops (5/16 oz.), Timber Doodles (1/4 oz), Mepps #2 Aglia dressed, 3" Rattlin' Shads,
Scum Frog, Johnson’s Silver Minnow, Snagproof Bobby’s Perfect Frog, 6 ¼ “ Weedless “The Worm”, Bucher’s Slopmaster ¼ oz. – ½ oz.
Intermediate: Mepps #3, Rapala jointed Shad Raps, Rat-L-Trap, Jitterbug, Hula Poppers, lipstick jig with rubber trailer (jig size: 1/8 oz-1/4 oz.) or tipped with crawler/leech, Jaw breaker spoon, Venom Badd Blood Tubes, Matzuo Spinnerbaits 3/8 oz, Venom Salty Slings 4” & 5”.
Advanced: Storm Wiggle Wart, Berkley Frenzy Rattl’r, 2 ½” Pt Crankbait by Roberts Outdoors. Sight fishing with Bucher’s soft plastics—3” crawfish (rootbeer pepper orange or camouflage color), 3 ½” tubes, or small reapers (motor oil or black color).
 
IV. Women Chasing Walleyes
A. For fishing with small jigs or slip bobbers (live bait) and steady retrieve artificials:
Shimano Convergence CVS 66ML or CVS X70 ML Rod
Shimano Sedona 1500 Reel
6-8# test monofilament line
Selling points:
*(ROD) A longer rod with a fast tip is best for finesse presentations. This will allow you to cast small, light tackle with low test line. You can also fish light slip sinker rigs with this rod. This rod loads very well for long casts—longer casts can be helpful with live bait presentations. It will handle 1/8 -1/2 oz. lures. Always buy a quality product. You don't want tackle problems when you are out on the water. Convergence series and up have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
*(REEL) This reel works well with light test line. It is lightweight, making the complete rig very comfortable. It has a very smooth drag system. I prefer the front drag models; they seem to be more precise.
*(LINE) Thin, limp line is easier to spool and less likely to tangle. Stiff line can hinder the action of your baits. Thinner line offers less water resistance, which allows your bait to get down faster and run deeper. It is also less visible to the fish. But, usually the limper the mono the more stretch. (When trolling or deep fishing use stiff mono). Limp line does weaken faster, so change often (it’s inexpensive). Have tackle shop re-spool right before your vacation--then, I like to let all line out (“troll it out” without a lure attached) and bring it in to be sure it is wound on level.
B. For fishing rivers or advanced artificial presentations
Shimano Convergence CVS60M Rod
Shimano Sedona SE2500FB Reel
8# Monofilament or fluorocarbon.
Selling points:
*(ROD) Shorter rod for punching quick holes when river fishing. Also, shorter rod is better for lake fishing when using vertical presentations or tossing crankbaits or lures you need to crisply manipulate. Always buy a quality product. Convergence series and up have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
*(REEL) Front drag is a better working drag system as it works directly on the spool. This is a lightweight reel that a gal will be able fish with for hours without experiencing any fatigue.
*(LINE) Limp yet supple with good abrasion resistance against rocks or downed timber.
Lures for Walleye Fishing:
Beginner: eyeball or weedless jig (jig size: 1/16, 1/8 or ¼ oz.) & minnow/worm/crawler, Mr.Twister Jig Combo, small spinnerbaits. Weed weasel jig with minnow. Apex Rigged Swirltails
Intermediate: Mepps Syclops (1/4 oz), Mepps ¼ oz SpinFlex (with chartreuse or orange in head and blade) with Mister Twister Tail, Zip Lures, Kastmasters, Buckshot Rattle Spoon, Roach or Lindy rigs.
Advanced: Storm Wildeye Tail minnow, Rapala Husky Jerks, Storm Thundersticks (divers), Smithwich’s Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue
IV. Panfish Combos
Shimano Scimitar SMS 56 UL Rod or Convergence CVS56UL or CVS56UL2
Shimano Convergence CVS 60 UL Rod for sight fishing big crappies or bluegills.
Shimano Sienna Series 1000 Reel
4# test monofilament line
Selling points:
*(ROD) You don’t need an expensive rod to catch panfish! This particular rod (the Scimitar SMS 56 UL) will work very well and is a great value. If you are sight fishing in the shallows, you may wish to choose the CVS 56 or 60 UL. It is a little longer rod with a med-fast action. This will give you more distance on your cast. It will also provide more accurate casts. These are important factors when sight fishing. There is a lifetime warranty on the CVS series and you get the choice of 1 or 2 piece.
*(REEL) The quality of this little reel is excellent and it won’t break your budget. It combos up with these rods very well and works great with 4# test line.
*(LINE) Thin, limp line is easier to spool and less likely to tangle. Stiff line can hinder the action of your baits. Thinner line offers less water resistance, which allows your bait to get down faster and run deeper. It is also less visible to the fish. But, usually the limper the mono the more stretch. (When trolling or deep fishing use stiff mono). Limp line does weaken faster, so change often (it’s inexpensive). Have tackle shop re-spool right before your vacation--.I like to let all line out (“troll it out” without a lure attached) and bring it in to be sure it is wound on level
For Panfish Fishing: Whistler jig (jig size: 1/32 oz- 1/16 oz.) & waxie or worm, Mepps #0 Black Fury, Mister Twister Tails, Mepps #0, Mini Mites, Lindy Fuzz-E-Grub, Johnson Beetle spin, Swedish Pimple, Bug-Eye Rattler or fire-fly jig tipped with small worm/leech/wax worm. Matzuo Panfish Pirates, Flu Flu jigs, Custom Jig &
Spins Rat Finkies and Diamond Jigs
Female-Friendly Landing Nets and Live Bait Containers
Nets: Choose your net size by the typical size of fish you catch. If the average fish is 14”-20”, then a 17”-19” hoop is adequate. Net depth is critical, too. Longer bodied fish, like pike & muskies, require a larger hoop and deeper bag. The smaller the fish, the shallower the bag.
For Muskies and Large Northern Pike: Frabill’s Power Catch Big Game (#8425)
Selling points:
*Pow’R Lok yoke system makes set up quick and easy
*Tangle-Free Knotless mesh is kinder to fish (for catch & release) and makes lure
removal easy—the hooks don’t get caught in the net!
*This size hoop is much easier to handle than their “Big Kahuna.” I’ve fit 50
POUND muskies in this net, so it’s plenty big. It has a deep bag depth that
allows you to keep the fish in the water while removing the hooks.
For bass, larger walleyes, “eating size” northern pike: Frabill’s Pro-Formance
Series Nets Model #5510 (rubber net) or #5515 (nylon net)
Selling points:
*Pow’R Lok yoke system makes set up quick and easy
*Tangle-Free Weighted nylon or rubber makes for quick lure removal.
* Rubber netting naturally stretches to fit fish’s size and weight.
* “Spook-proof” black anodized finish for net-shy walleyes!
For small walleyes, panfish: Frabill’s Sportsman Series Tangle Free Rubber Nets
Model #3059. Selling points: This teardrop hoop with a fixed handle will easily
scoop up your catch. And, with the rubber netting, you have your choice if you wish
to keep the fish or release him (knot free surfaces cause less fish damage).
Livewell net: Don’t forget a small baitwell net to easily scoop out minnows.
Frabill’s #3621 has a knotless mesh designed to be friendlier on bait (doesn’t
tear up fins, etc.)
Live Bait Containers:
Frabill’s Flow-Troll (#4501)…6 quart container keeps bait aerated. Self-closing lid
is easy to access. Ideal for wading or pulling by boat.
Frabill’s Fish-N-Fun (#4600)…4.5 quart container which is sized to fit for minnows
yet compact to fit in coolers or livewells.
Frabill’s Leech Tote (#4650) leeches…yuch! But, they catch walleyes! This
container has a twist off bait strainer which allows easy sorting and selection.
Frabill’s Lil Fisherman Worm Tote (#1025)…keeps 1-2 dozen crawlers cool and
fresh. A dual lid design makes it accessible from top or bottom (so you don’t
have to dig through the dirt!
Frabill’s Fat & Sassy Pre-Mixed Worm Bedding (#1066) No fuss worm bedding--
“cleaner” than dirt and keeps crawlers/worms alive and healthy for extended time.
Female-Friendly Release Tools
Frabill’s Lure Retriever (#9865)…With a few twists of the wrist you can un-snag
expensive lures caught in brush piles or…up in a tree! Telescopes down in size to
57” got easier storage (extends out 15’).
Shimano’s Baysteel Multi-Fishing Tool…opens and holds split rings, cuts braided
line and up to 250# stainless steel wire. Throw a lanyard on this tool and use it!
Shimano’s Baysteel 8”Pliers & 7” Cutters…come packaged in a belt sheath. Nice tool for walleye, bass, and smaller pike, and panfish.
Baker Hook-Out: great for long reaches into the mouths of fish with teeth!
Knipex Cutters: If you will be “big game hunting” (big muskies, pike, stripers, etc.) be sure to equip yourself with a quality bolt cutter to cut hooks when necessary. These are expensive, so lanyard them onto your belt loop…but, they may save a trophy fish’s life!
Floating measuring stick
Female-Friendly Tackle Storage Systems
Shimano’s Broadway Main Carry Bag:
Selling points: Weather-proof top design keeps contents dry. Side padded weather-proof
pocket protects camera, cell phone, etc. Foam padded should strap makes for
comfortable toting. Waterproof bottom. And, organizes and consolidates your essential
fishing tackle into one container! Here are some of its contents:
Worm Binder: 20 transparent pockets in a binder to hold soft plastics for bass, northern
pike, and walleye fishing.
Cooler/Lunch Bag: Insulated with a mesh ice pack holder.
Day Tackle Bag: Includes two utility boxes and six pocket binder pages.
Vertical Lure Box: tube organization for large musky & pike lures.
Reel Storage Bag: Great for back up spinning reels when bass or walleye fishing and
want different line test on other spools.
Shimano’s Banar:
Selling points: This deck bag is perfect for the female angler! We always come prepared…extra clothing, camera, etc. You’ll want to keep all the extras dry and accessible in this tote. With an adjustable shoulder strap, hand carry straps, and heavy duty side handles, you can pile it full.
Eagle River, Wisconsin lodging recommendations:
Super 8: 200 W. Pine Street (715) 477.0888
Eagle River Inn & Resort: 5260 Hwy 70 (715) 479.2000
Riverdale Motel & Resort: 5012 W. State Rd 70 (715) 479.4373
The Last Resort: 1957 Otter Lane (715) 479.7333
....More to follow...anytime I hear of a "female-friendly fishing event or information" I will be glad to pass it on...
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For more information or to make reservations contact:
A Blond And Her Boat Fishing Trips
Patricia Strutz
Email: info@ablondandherboat.com
(715)891.1173
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