What is the best live bait set up for Muskies???

[Vex Man]

 Trying to get some help on muskie fishing through the ice..  Anyone with suggesion would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[sully]

trout/chubs/suckers

[Ski Hunter]

trout/chubs/suckers

what he said, but not nessesarily in that order 

[1MOFISH]

an old guy told me small crappie is the only way to go mo

[Ski Hunter]

an old guy told me small crappie is the only way to go mo

I think it depends on the water....I heard guys who swear by small crappies but I've yet to have a ski take one and thats fishing the lakes these guys swear they are the only bait the skis will take

Also, if the lake yur fishing has a decent population of herring or golden shiners they both make awesome baits as well if you can jig some out

[1MOFISH]

i aways wondered why mooskies hit black lures maybe need to food color up a fish to color it black   mo

[HenryDavid]

How bout some advice on technique in here ?,...?

[mooskie]

I would recommend circle hooks (first choice) or quick strike rigs.  Circle hooks will catch in the corner of the mouth and will avoid deep hook sets even if the bait has been swallowed deep.  A quick-strike you can set immediately with out letting the fish run.  There is still a possibility that the hooks will set deep if left to run too long though.

Circle Hooks :  http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if0502_VVCircleHooks/

Quick Strike Rigs:   http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/exclusives/if0612_QuickStrike/

[Ski Hunter]

I would recommend circle hooks (first choice) or quick strike rigs.  Circle hooks will catch in the corner of the mouth and will avoid deep hook sets even if the bait has been swallowed deep.  A quick-strike you can set immediately with out letting the fish run.  There is still a possibility that the hooks will set deep if left to run too long though.

Circle Hooks :  http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if0502_VVCircleHooks/

Quick Strike Rigs:   http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/exclusives/if0612_QuickStrike/

I also recommend the circles but most guys won't use them since they don't learn how and then blame the hooks for them missing fish...if I'm not mistaken quick strikes are illegal thru the ice here in PA....legal in open water though from what I remember which makes no sense

[penna]

Muskies are tough but they do get them through the ice their all I fish for when I have the chance to get out. the only thing I can suggest is find some underwater structure a sharp drop off or edge of a weed bed hook a shiner or sucker through the back just back of dorsal fin so it sets level in the water.But the main thing try to keep bait up off the bottom some because the muskies eyes are near the top of their head and the like to strike from bottom up.  Just leave the bait set for longer periods of time as opposed to moving every 20 min or so recommend wire leader and don"t expect to catch one every day. It seems like i only hook into a really huge one about few years through the ice but when I do hook one its worth the wait but I wont lie The last 3 big ones i lost at the hole hope this helps.

[Ski Hunter]

The past few years I've been running all fluro leaders (60#) instead of steel...just my personal preference...

Penna, I lost a 25-30# fish at the hole about a month ago....have put in 30 hours on the ice since without a flag....but its musky fishing...if I wanna see lotsa flags I'll target perch