|
Muskie (Musky)
Hooks for Muskies
Pete Maina talks about what to look for in a good fish hook for Big
Toothy Critters like Muskie and Pike. 02/12
Three Tactics for More Muskie
While many things in life and fishing are arguable (other than fish with
teeth are really cool), I'll offer that warm-water muskies are likely
the most challenging, since so many different presentations can be
effective. The key to the whole game is finding what they're in the mood
for on a given day or hour. Those who do it best realize the goal of
having the most release photos to show off. Let's look at three possibly
not-so-popular methods to hold a muskie's tail. 01/12
Muskie Fishing's Late Fall Trolling Tradition
I admit it; I'm a sucker for tradition. That's probably one of the
reasons I love the fall time of year – it's full of traditions like
grouse hunting, deer hunting, trips to the pumpkin patch and of course,
the Thanksgiving Holiday. It's also a time of year when trolling for
Muskies can traditionally be THE best way to put a real trophy fish in
the net. This is especially true on the largest Muskie waters like the
Bay of Green Bay, Lac Seul and Lake of the Woods to name a few. 11/11
Live Baiting Muskies
Live bait fishing is not often the first technique that pops into an
angler's head when thinking about muskie fishing. However, under certain
conditions it can be the absolute best way to go, particularly in the
cool water periods of early spring, late fall, or in severe cold front
situations. 10/11
New Lures for Muskies
The realm of lures is ever-expanding, and especially-so on heavily
pressured waters (and summer is nearly always the busiest for fishing
too), this is a good thing for muskie anglers. No one knows for certain
as to whether or not muskies think at all, or just react eventually to
negative experiences – to not repeat them, but there is no doubt that
fish learn to avoid certain things after a while. But, show them
something they haven't seen – that looks like something pretty good to
eat and easy to catch – and the attitude is much more positive. 07/11
Speed up for Warm Water Muskies
In the warmer waters of summer, often something that will trigger … may
turn a very lazy follow suddenly aggressive, or turn quiet trolling
reels into noisy ones – is speed. Like anything, it's not always what
the fish want, but very often muskie anglers simply aren't going fast
enough to trigger reactions from muskies. The idea is simply to make
them (muskies) think they'll have no choice if they don't react now.
06/11
Top
water Tactics for Warm Water Muskies
Good friends Dick Pearson and Dan Craven both said it first (to my ears
anyway): “The surface is an edge.” Big thing to keep in mind for summer
muskies – and they are especially susceptible in the warm water period.
Topwater presentations are overall underutilized, and especially so in
the waves discussed. 05/11
Open Water Muskies
Fishing the “open water” or basically the middle of the lake
(in many cases) for suspended summer muskies can be very effective. Like
fishing after dark and fishing in big waves, there is little direct
pressure (note a recurring theme here?) on these fish. Muskies will
generally be living in the top 1/3 of the water column now (smaller pie
to slice). 04/11
Using the wind
This is a big factor any time of year; I should say it can be.
Of course there are many variables, an obvious one being lake size and
whether or not wind is blowing. If it's blowing little, it's not a
factor on any lake. But like fishing after dark, for those willing to
put in a little extra effort and to know when it can really work for
them, sustained wind and the wave action and the current it creates –
can aide anglers.
Cover two zones
Edge fishing is common for all species of fish. Often, some of
the better areas to target in a system that has them – are distinct
breaklines from shallow to deep water. These become natural travel and
cover zones; more specifically, fish often congregate on more extreme
areas of irregular breaklines (sharp points and inside turns). It is
common for anglers to position their boats on the edge of these
breaklines and cast in shallow to structures and across the edge.
Night Fishing for Muskie
Muskies are never easy. We hear all kinds of things about what
makes them tough to catch – and one of them is warm water, dog day
summer conditions. But actually, in many ways, summer is my favorite
time of year for muskies.
The Surface is an Edge
The surface of the water is an edge that predators learn to
use. As they mature, they learn to use it more and more … the surface is
often a place to target trophy specimens of all species. It's the reason
topwater lures can be so effective for muskie, pike and other species
like bass and even walleyes. Predators have success, and remember it,
because they often are able to catch prey fish right at the surface. The
upward-fleeing prey has run out of real estate.
Fish of a Thousand Casts?
Not so in Kentucky, where it's not only possible to boat a
dozen muskie a day but have an honest crack at that trophy of a
lifetime. Stories about muskie are the stuff of legend. Fish of a
thousand casts. Anglers going a lifetime without ever hooking one.
Phooey on that.
Netting Muskie
This subject is important for any species, but knowing how to properly
use a net is especially important when it comes to big predators like
muskie and northern pike. Done right, it's the most effective and safest
(for angler and fish) way to land and release fish. The ‘safest' part is
true – but based upon use of a quality, fish-friendly landing device,
like the Frabill “Conservation Series” nets. (The net's mesh must have a
quality coating and large enough holding area at the base.) Play any
fish with moderate-to-heavy pressure, to tire it out and prepare it for
leading into the net.
Proactive management
Mandatory release (i.e. proactive regulations that require release of
all fish, a majority of fish, certain size-structure ranges in a fish
species…) is a popular management tool.
Baitfish and
Fall Trolling For Walleye and Muskie
"You marking any bait?" is a popular question many anglers ask when
talking about trolling for walleye or muskie. Finding baitfish schools
being attacked by predators is an important angling skill for autumn
trolling. I spoke with two well-known guides, a walleye expert and a
muskie specialist, about fishing large pods of baitfish as a piece of
fish-holding structure. What follows are some of their observations on
the importance of baitfish and tips on autumn trolling strategies
Opening Day
Muskie: You Can Troll, Too!
Trolling isn't just a fall technique for muskie. During the entire season,
no matter what month it is, some spots are laid out for casting, some for
trolling and some for both. Early in the summer, all species have a lot of
options. Food production is ramping up to seasonal highs. Surface temps
are leveling out, and weeds are gaining their green, healthy momentum.
Are Dirty
Little Muskies Really That Different?
I've got a lot less experience on dirty water for muskies than I do clear
water, but for the small amount of time I put in on dirty lakes compared
to clear, my success rate is pretty good. If I dedicated equal time to
each, I think I'd have just as many fish in the net from both by the end
of the season. Maybe there's a lesson in there somewhere. All the magazine
rhetoric and worn-out clichés aside, is there really that huge of a
difference finding and catching fish in dirty water versus clear? If you
break it down piece by piece, I really don't think there is. A few
fundamental changes aside for each piece, muskies are muskies no matter
where you fish them
Fall Muskie
Casting
Picture of a Muskie being Released. Fall is a transition period and
as autumn leaves change colours, many anglers switch almost exclusively to
trolling for muskies from late September to ice-up. Yet the fall still
holds plenty of casting opportunities and it's the season for trophy fish.
Casting in fall conditions is tough going; the trick is using effective
baits for the cold water conditions. Here's an overview of some top fall
casting baits with some tips from three Ontario, muskie anglers
Muskies on Top
In the angling world the mighty muskie reigns supreme, conjuring up images
of razor-sharp teeth, truly immense size and extraordinary power.
For the avid anglers who are part of the muskie fraternity, fishing for
these giants has become an obsessive trait that has literally turned into
a way of life
Muskies &
Reefs: Find A Place To Cast This Summer.
I grew up calling them 'shoals' but everyone's got their own name for this
kind underwater structure: humps, bumps, bars and of course, reefs.
They're classic muskie spots and they're as unique as the lakes they're
found in. No two are built exactly the same, but good ones just seem to be
good ones no matter where you fish. There are also reefs that just never
produce, sometimes within a few cast lengths of ones that consistently do.
Tough-Conditions Summer Muskies In Clear Water
Even when conditions are perfect, clear water can be tough water to fish.
It can be mentally and physically crippling when you're fishing muskies on
clear water and skies or winds are unfavourable. Darker, more fertile
lakes and rivers are more forgiving than clear ones, and populations are
almost always higher. ‘Plan B' is to simply pull off the water and try one
once clear water begins wearing you down. Sticking to your guns, making
adjustments and battling through it make that big, clear-water release all
that much sweeter. There are things you can do beat tough bites.
Pike & Muskie:
Try Open Water
Seasonal changes to lakes and rivers aren't normally consistent from one
year to the next. Yes, lakes will freeze and thaw, and they'll also warm
and cool. All of this is 100% guaranteed. In the fall, regardless of what
the localized weather patterns have been, pike and muskies can be caught
well off of the bottom, away from structure or using open water in any
combination. Every type of water has factors that contribute to open water
fishing. Some of them are available food, available structure and depth,
structure types and even fishing/boating pressure. Every lake is
different. But in early to mid-fall especially, suspended and open water
fish have proven very reliable for me. (They're out there in the summer,
too). In rough or nasty fall conditions, the open water bite can be a
great option.
Tools and
Traits for Properly Releasing Muskie
Muskie fishing is one of the fastest growing areas in sport fishing today.
Ask any long-time muskie angler if fishing pressure is increasing, or look
at the growth of muskie lure manufacturers, and you'll be convinced that
muskie fishing is on the rise. With more anglers pursuing these predators
every year, the need for proper releasing techniques is crucial to ensure
the survival of post-release fish and sustain the sport fishery.
Timely Tips to Make Your Musky Hunt a
Success
As the trees drop their leaves and the days
grow colder, in-the-know musky anglers begin to congregate on their
favourite waters to reap the rewards that the fall time offers - BIG
plentiful muskies! Fall is the best time to hook into that fish of a
lifetime, and by being prepared and having the right tools, your time on
the water can be more productive and unforgettable.
Muskie
fishing Throughout the seasons!
Musky are a fierce and cunning predator, yet are not as hard to catch as
most people think. The start of June signals the beginning of 'ski season
in most parts of Ontario, and offers a tremendous shot at connecting with
numbers of fish and quality fish too.
Turn Your
Musky 'Follows' Into 'Takers'
Musky fishing can be a funny game. An angler can spend many hours beating
the water to a froth, only to have a musky finally appear, lazily trailing
the bait then slowly disappearing out of sight. Musky follows are a common
occurrence when chasing this majestic beast, however, there are a few
tricks that can be utilized to turn those curious fish into solid takers.
Try these tips when out on your next hunt and get ready to land your fair
share of braggin' size 'skies.
Deep
Trolling for Musky
Trolling for musky is a productive tactic
throughout the season, but it is in the fall when this method lives up to
its reputation: big musky! As water bodies cool and fish put on the feed
bag, trolling deep-diving crankbaits is an excellent technique for
increasing your chances of landing a trophy. Understanding fall musky
behavior, using a strategy to target deep fish, and having proper
equipment are three critical components to fall fishing success
Playing the
"Size" Game With Musky
Musky fishing is literally a game of
size. Searching for the lifetime fish that stretches beyond the fifty-inch
mark on the tape, or a 'ski that bottoms out the scale at thirty-pounds
are targets we all strive for when out on the water. Lets face it - size
does matter to a musky angler. But how about the size of the baits you
throw at these fish in the hope of luring them in? There is a time and
place for big baits and small in musky fishing, and learning the in's and
out's will help you in attaining that fish of a lifetime.
Spinnerbaits for Muskie
One of the questions that I am often asked by
clients, and at shows, is "What pike or muskie bait is the overall most
effective bait for all seasons?" There is no hesitation in my answer; it
is without any doubt, the spinnerbait.
Feed a
Muskie a Spoon!
I started experimenting with spoons for muskies
in 1993, after having witnessed their effectiveness for big chinook salmon
on several occasions. I asked my many of peers in both U.S. and Canada
about using spoons for muskies, and each time pretty much got the same
response… "Oh, they're great for pike, but muskies won't touch 'em." I
found that a little hard to understand.
|
