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Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Fellow Musky Nuts,
O. K. this is a rant.....The one thing that I find bothersome with some musky people is the almost pathologic need for secrecy. It doesn't help our sport or reputation.
Several years ago after chasing these beautiful demon critters for fifty years I decided to give LOTW a try. A person I bareley know when I arrived there said, "give me your map, I'll mark a few spots for you." Over a coffee a few spots turned out to be a hundred or more. We were out and fishing good water right off the bat.
Couple years go by. Some great fish landed. One morning two young guys walk down to the dock and tell me they are on a weeks trip and have never been on LOTW before, would I mind pointing them in the right direction. I let them borrow my map and mark up their map and they caught several nice fish that week. We visited a lot that week and stayed in touch with Christmas cards ect.
Couple years after that, I get a call from one of the guys letting me know that his partner was severely wounded in Afganistan. After recovery, he can't fish at all, but still goes with his buddy once in a while .
Think about it......
Cost of sharing, priceless... Help someone if you can. You just never know.
Mudpuppy
I used to be one of those don't tell nobody nothing guys. Finally grew up |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I like the rant. |
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| Thumbs up to you! |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | You have my vote mudpuppy. Life is too short! |
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| I "likey" as well Mudpuppy.........considering the prevalence of catch and release with musky fishing, what's the big tadoo about secret spots, lakes or rivers or whatever anyways? Seriously people!
We need more folks involved/participating to help out with the resource. More license sales, more participation and youth involved all the better. Some of these tight lipped hardcores could improve the cause immensely if they'de care to just chime in once in awhile and share some tidbits per seasonal quirks and such to aid us novice fisherman and the general cause of muskellunge fishing. More Ministry/DNR money makes for more and better all round musky fishing...........research, habitat, recruitment/stocking and lake access.
All that said, I gotta admit you have me curious/intrigued as to just where on LOTW's you guys made hay and what time of year we're talking. You don't have to give up exact "deer stand" locations but generalities would be appreciated for a lot of guys! The Angle, Morson, Sabaskong, Kenora and just what kind of spots on a map you're talking about pertaining the season?
Feel free to p.m me if you wish vs. sharing the information publically with fellow musky fisherman.
Great post!
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Location: La Crosse, WI | LOTW's is a little different from a 500 acre mud puddle in northern WI, but I do agree with your concept. However, some people are looking for reward without putting in the effort. Half the fun for me is trying to figure out a body of water or establishing a pattern. There's a lot of lake X's out there, just check out the big fish board. |
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Location: central Wisconsin | I just have to ask, why do we need more muskie fishers and why should I make my thirty years of learned spots available to them? |
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Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | That's it people helping people
And fisherman helping fisherman
It's very simple |
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Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Hermit- Out of Morson,Rock Bars, Weeds, Points all favorites. Havn't done well in sand bays or neck downs with current but others sure do.
Jeff78-I hope you discover the pure pleasure of putting a newbie on a decent musky. its a great part of the sport you are missing |
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| your a good person. thanks for the rant. makes you think about things. |
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Location: SW Ohio | Chuckin Baits - 1/9/2016 9:38 PM
LOTW's is a little different from a 500 acre mud puddle in northern WI, but I do agree with your concept. However, some people are looking for reward without putting in the effort. Half the fun for me is trying to figure out a body of water or establishing a pattern. There's a lot of lake X's out there, just check out the big fish board.
Ditto... I don't mind sharing some info about a large body of water I fish once or a few times a year, with plenty of spots and plenty of fish to go around (like LOTW or LSC). However, when it comes to my small and very limited home waters that are already highly pressured... no thanks, I'm inclined to keep it quiet. Putting in the time on the water and figuring things out yourself is much more rewarding.
Edited by George W 1/9/2016 10:13 PM
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Location: oswego, il | I think we can all agree on mudpuppy's scenario. I have done it I am sure many of you have. I have even gone as far as letting someone know I moved one on a spot, again in mudpuppy's context. I also completely agree with Jeff, his scenario is completely different. |
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Location: central Wisconsin | Mudpuppy - 1/9/2016 9:51 PM
Hermit- Out of Morson,Rock Bars, Weeds, Points all favorites. Havn't done well in sand bays or neck downs with current but others sure do.
Jeff78-I hope you discover the pure pleasure of putting a newbie on a decent musky. its a great part of the sport you are missing
Mudpuppy I have put plenty of people on their first fish, I don't fish million acre lakes though. When you fish three hundred acre puddles there are only so many spots and fish to go around. |
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Posts: 251
| At the very least I think it is good to share some of the common knowledge spots and things like that. I understand keeping a few of your favorite, less trafficked spots to yourself. Also, usually just pointing out a spot is different then showing them how to fish it. Often that still takes time.
I have been grateful to all those who have marked my map and helped me out in the past. It just helps to ensure the first few times learning new waters is not a total flop.
Edited by timhutson1 1/9/2016 11:32 PM
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Location: Smith Creek | I marked a map for a guy once, found out later he killed every muskie he caught from the spots I marked, and was later convicted of murdering his family (including the dog).
Seemed like a nice enough guy when I marked the map for him. Ya never know.
Edited by Flambeauski 1/10/2016 8:46 AM
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Location: West Chester, OH | Flambeauski - 1/10/2016 8:52 AM
I marked a map for a guy once, found out later he caught and killed every muskie he caught from the spots I marked, and was later convicted of murdering his family (including the dog).
Seemed like a nice enough guy when I marked the map for him. Ya never know.
Probably good for you that you marked the map & sent him on his way!! |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | When you spend lots of time figuring out patterns and spots on your own, why should you give them away for free? If you want to give away spots go ahead but don't criticize those who don't. I have opened my mouth before and seen spots get over fished. Learned my lesson and now I keep quiet.
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Location: Smith Creek | ^Exactly. And I should mention that the 2nd part of my story never happened.
Being secretive is learned behavior. Nobody is secretive when they come into the sport. |
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| In addition to being a good sharer of info, some guys need to be better receivers of information!!! I've literally had guys bring their buddies in another boat to block me on a spot I shared!!! Like the two previous posters...I learned to keep quiet...the hard way!!! |
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Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | There is no question that special lakes, rivers are hard earned secrets. All I'm saying help people get started when you can. There will always be jerks in the World that take advantage, but most people respect information shared and hopefully will do the same.
Mudpuppy |
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| Also your "secret spot" is probably 100 other people's secret spot. With electronics the way they are today it doesn't take years to learn a body of water like it used to. |
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| I will tell anyone anything I think I can trust them with. That varies from "we're not moving anything on blades today" to "we just saw a huge fish on the West end of _______ by that big dead pine tree"... Last year I showed a guy and his two little kids where/how to catch pannies on a small lake after they said they hadn't caught anything for an hour. Within 10 minutes the kids were squealing and laughing because they were catching fish one after another. That kind of stuff is fine. But anybody who tells someone they aren't sure they can trust about a lake, or a spot on that lake, is asking for trouble.
Flambeauski is right - nobody is secretive when they come onto the sport. Most people learn the hard way. I like to hep people catch fish. But I'm not giving away everything for free that took me a decade and a #*#* ton of money to learn.
This year, we're exploring a bunch of small lakes that I've never fished and know nothing about short of having a map and that the DNR says there are muskies. I might tell people not to bother with them if we come up empty. But I sure won't be naming names if those lakes show some color. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Flambeauski - 1/10/2016 7:52 AM
I marked a map for a guy once, found out later he killed every muskie he caught from the spots I marked, and was later convicted of murdering his family (including the dog).
Seemed like a nice enough guy when I marked the map for him. Ya never know.
Geez.
Get over yourselves a bit, gentlemen. Those spots were there before you were borne and will be there long after you are gone, and are secret only to you and everyone else who thinks it's their personal little chunk of water. |
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Location: Ashland WI | Ben Olsen - 1/10/2016 9:29 AM
In addition to being a good sharer of info, some guys need to be better receivers of information!!! I've literally had guys bring their buddies in another boat to block me on a spot I shared!!! Like the two previous posters...I learned to keep quiet...the hard way!!!
I agree with this. If I am given a piece of information from someone, I don't feel free to pass it on. It wasn't mine to begin with. On the other hand, if I learn something on my own, I feel it is up to me what I do with it. |
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| With map chips, hot spot maps, side and down imaging, learning a lake is not the time consuming grind it was when I got into the sport in the 1960s. Even in the 1970s, I remember a pile of boulders in the Three Lakes chain that was in 30' feet of water but topped out just 7 or 8 feet below the surface. Now that was something that few fishermen knew about back then and today anybody with a map, chip or imaging can find in a matter of minutes. If it takes you years to learn a lake today, you aren't trying.
Everyone should do what they feel comfortable doing relative to sharing knowledge, but to think that you know big secrets about a lake today, that no one else knows, is simply fooling yourself. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | ^Bingo .... |
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| 14ledo81 - 1/10/2016 2:28 PM
Ben Olsen - 1/10/2016 9:29 AM
In addition to being a good sharer of info, some guys need to be better receivers of information!!! I've literally had guys bring their buddies in another boat to block me on a spot I shared!!! Like the two previous posters...I learned to keep quiet...the hard way!!!
I agree with this. If I am given a piece of information from someone, I don't feel free to pass it on. It wasn't mine to begin with. On the other hand, if I learn something on my own, I feel it is up to me what I do with it.
I agree that you should protect info that is not your own to share. That is just courtesy. |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Sharing can be hit or miss, posting specific spot's in social media is bad idea. The other siide of the coin is sharing with individuals, I mean individuals who you know will not abuse the fish, you can usually tell whats up with a little preliminary conversation and tactfully asked questions. Its also a great way to discuss CPR and handling of fish.
1. Got any good recipies for muskies?
2. How large is your muskie club/gaff?
3. Where is your net, is it a stowaway?
4. Do you step on them behind the head so you can get the hooks out?
How many guys were on Wazee this weekend? LOL- The photo doesn't even look like a 17 1/2 lb walleye! At 32.5" she should look like a football. Still the thundering herd will show up.
Al
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| I'm a bit selfish, don't like to share.
But here in the mpls area, if certain "guides" hear of a hot lake, they bring the TV crew, Literally, a TV crew, then that lake is swapped and shutdown for the year.
What I dont understand is this TV crew of the "best Muskie guys" out there leave there up north area, which in the county or two up there has more Muskie lakes then the entire state of MN and they come here to do a TV show?
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| I'll only selectively share anymore. You gotta give to get. Two way street. I've been burned too many times. Once on this site.
Different scenario than what was presented here as there is limited water where I fish most of the time now versus almost unlimited water in LOTW.
You can always tell the "good" guys who want information. They could care less about spot. Depth. Speed. Color. That's more or less what is important to them. |
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Location: central Wisconsin | Let's see some of you ice fishing guys share your panny hot spots. You won't because the hordes will come in and fish it down to nothing. What is the difference between that and sharing your musky spots. |
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| Im one of those new guys you speak of. I just started Muskie fishing last summer. I can't even begin to tell you how fortunate I am that a member in my MI chapter was nice enough to take me under his wing and mentor me after I happened to strik up a conversation with him at the boat ramp. We didn't even know each other but he offered to take me out on his boat and I took him up on it. First time out with him he caught a ski and I learned how to handle and revive properly. He's no expert, but he's given me a solid foundation to build upon. We fish together allot now and he has no problems sharing what he knows or where to fish. I'm guessing he wouldn't give his spots away to just anyone but he would probably point you in the general direction as to where the fish may be if you looked kosher. I plan on doing the same thing once I become a seasoned Muskie hunter. I will pay it forward to a deserving fisherman. I've also made friends with another chapter member that is of the same skill level as me. We fish together and help each other out. One day soon we will catch our fist Muskie because others with more wisdom than us gave us some knowledge.
Remember, helping a guy out doesn't have to mean showing him your treasured spots. Helping us could mean showing us what lure to use or even how to use it if you see us fishing it wrong. Coulld mean pointing us in a general direction or telling us to find a weed bed next to a drop off. Us new guys who are serious about Muskie fishing are just thirsty for knowledge, anything you tell us is much appreciated.
Edited by Muskiecrazy 1/11/2016 10:27 AM
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| I agree with the whole "That spot existed before I was an egg in my momma" philosophy. I only fish Vermilion, except for southern waters with guides. I'll share patterns, what I am moving them on etc, but not spots. I try to fish secondary spots when I am fishing the east side alone. When I find active fish I work them because I am usually limited to calmer waters, so am limited in "spots". Luckily, I don't talk to many people when fishing alone, or I'm sure I would share more info. Also, some of my info comes from other guys, that I never share. Or the location of an unmapped shallow hump with tobacco cabbage 200 yards off an island... I need to get over there more... |
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| Some things are sacred. Sleeper lakes, oddball spots, a little hump in the middle of nowhere... I keep those quiet out of respect for the people who showed them to me in confidence. The lakes have been there and the spots have been there. I'm sure somebody has stumbled on them over the years. I'm sure the handful of people who live on those lakes know about them. But when you see one other boat all weekend? Yeah. We fished a lake today. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | share as much as you want, or as little...info should be a 2 way street and if it's not then I won't give any.... lots of spots and lakes see very little pressure... For A Reason! most guides don't share the little honey holes they fish, so why should the weekend warrior... no reason to come down on anyone for not sharing...or sharing..but if you do share, don't get ticked off if word gets out and you are playing bumper boats...  |
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| I don't personally subscribe to the "Top Secret" school of muskie fishing. I'm more than happy to tell someone where I've moved fish (especially when I'm on my way to the ramp..). I won't give GPS coordinates, but I'm happy to tell folks to try a breakline or structure element. I've even approached other boats on my way out to give tips. I do however kind of evaluate the folks fishing. If they look like they know what they're doing and will know how to release, I'm more likely to share info.
Comes from the college years chasing the ladies I guess, even if I don't hook-up, I'm glad someone did.
The fish aren't going anywhere and neither am I, I'll catch 'em tomorrow or the next day (or that night as it gets dark).
Just my $0.02 for this winternet...
RandalB |
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| The whole "fleas arguing over who owns the dog" thing is completely missing the point!! Some guys are talking spots and some are talking patterns. I don't think I own anything. I also didn't invent anything and it's certainly not "better" or "worse" for the sport if some of us selectively share or don't share info!! It's a simple undeniable fact that not all sharing is good and not all secrecy is bad! Not all advancement is based on piggy backing info...some advancement is born of sheer frustration and experimentation! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I was chatting w/ Dick Pearson last summer about a spot on LOTW that was on his Muskies in the shield vid...huge lake right.... he said he pretty much doesn't fish it anymore because of the pressure that it now sees.. it is not really near any camps... so did the fishermen find it on their own or did it just get shared enough times over and over that all those guys now hit it... he said it doesn't hold nearly the big fish it use to.. why... pressure... so as Ben pointed out, not all sharing is good... it invariably will change the spot over time... just keep that in mind...
Edited by BNelson 1/11/2016 11:58 AM
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| My 2cents, that anyone would care. I tend to .... never mind not worth the argument. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Ben Olsen - 1/11/2016 11:43 AM
The whole "fleas arguing over who owns the dog" thing is completely missing the point!! Some guys are talking spots and some are talking patterns. I don't think I own anything. I also didn't invent anything and it's certainly not "better" or "worse" for the sport if some of us selectively share or don't share info!! It's a simple undeniable fact that not all sharing is good and not all secrecy is bad! Not all advancement is based on piggy backing info...some advancement is born of sheer frustration and experimentation!
The comment is for folks who argue over the fact they believe they have some sort of title to any one spot or area on any one lake, as in 'I don't give up MY spots'. The only time that happens is when there's no one else there when that person is, fueling the delusion. And 'spots' can and are fished differently than others... by a long shot...and by a very few.
THAT is the secret to keep. |
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| Hey I thought we are not supposed to be yelling in our posts;) I personally think the issue is not so much with sharing info as with the fact that some out there expect it and look to be handed the spots rather that do their own research. Isn't that part of the hunt??? I also personally believe that this "show me" attitude has been exponentially increased over the years by the internet, Go Pro and TV. Go Pro has allowed the average joe to become the next Badfish Outdoors or Musky Hunter proliferated all over Face Book where one tells two friends who tell two friends who tell two friends and so on. I also feel that TV personalities have the responsibility of teaching preservation of the resource rather than exploitation at the helm of their sponsors.
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | What does this have to do with preservation of the resource? If you fish a spot and tell a couple friends who then tell a couple friends, is that exploiting the resource?
Same same.
We live in an instant info transfer world now. Adjust by unplugging if it annoys you, but on one hand scouring for information (and entertainment) while proclaiming one will never divulge any of same to anyone else is actually pretty funny.
One word is exclaiming. All caps is yelling. You will not have to wonder if I decide to yell, and I won't need caps to do it.
'Expect' it? I've yet to have anyone demand I mark a map. I've had literally hundreds send maps to me with my blessing, and I mark 'em accordingly. Sure, there's places I don't talk much about, but they're not 'my' spots, they are everyone's past, present, and future. Plenty of water to go around, and if it was all, pretty much every square inch, available on map chips, online maps, map books, etc., none would be secret and there would be more room on the waters getting 'hit' by the crowds because everyone would, by the claims here, spread waaaaay out.
Wait... |
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| Exactly!
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Location: oswego, il | You are always going to have leaders and followers. Some people don't have the time or the qualities to become good fisherman. We will.always have those who will have to rely on others to catch fish. Whether it be the person who only fished the spots marked for them or the boat who follows the charter boats they will always exist. Chances are they didn't do as well. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Jeff78 - 1/11/2016 9:31 AM
Let's see some of you ice fishing guys share your panny hot spots. You won't because the hordes will come in and fish it down to nothing. What is the difference between that and sharing your musky spots.
Hordes? That would be the most obvious difference.
And I do. I tell friends about a bite, and they respect it enough to not place a Craig's List ad about it. |
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Location: Minnesota. | That was one of the coolest "rants" I've read to date ... if you can call it a rant.
Thanks Mudpuppy. |
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| This is one of the more more interesting conversations on the boards. I think both sides have a valid points. |
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| There's a difference between sharing knowledge and sharing spots.
There's also a difference between the guy that wants a quick win or brags about the "big one" he caught with a guide, and the guy that really wants to appreciate this sport. One I enjoy talking to, the other probably isn't gonna get much more than a "good luck" out of me. |
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Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Well johnysled should we ever meet, I'll be sure to keep quiet as you will. Should be a real fun conversation.
Mudpuppy |
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Location: one foot over the line | Don't even get me started on duck hunting spots... |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | humps, points, saddles, edges, wind, current, weeds, rock ... with a map-chip, a sonar, down and side-imaging on a lake pretty good chance you can find all of them without asking.
if more people fished pike, perch, walleyes, gils and crappies you would learn even more about lakes ...
80% of the fish live in 20% of the water and eat 10% of the time ... that's the rule i go by and do my best to try to figure it out on more than one species and more than one season on more than one lake. it's fun ...
as for information on what lakes have fish ... if you can't find out then you simply are not trying. the dnr has tons of information and that along with the Navionics website and a cold winter should give you all you need to plan a full season of fishing including spots. i did the same thing on grouse and found more spots (and grouse) than i could imagine knowing what habitat they like, what food they like and then hitting the dnr maps and information along with all the state land maps, chips and logging information ... hunting and fishing are just that ... if you don't like to hunt for the information then you might not be a good hunter too.
Edited by jonnysled 1/12/2016 2:01 PM
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Location: minocqua, wi. | ToddM - 1/12/2016 2:23 PM
Sled who makes the best crappie rod for double tens?
a guy who can find crappies consistently is a fisherman ... i can help you with smallies but ambush predators are easy compared to schooling fish. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | pressure changes lakes, it changes spots, it changes things...anyone that doesn't think that is kidding themselves...if you have a great spot, that might not get hit all that much... the best way to ruin it is to tell a bunch of guys! |
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| I give people "areas" more than spots...if you are a decent angler it will not take you long to figure out the spot in the area. Do you really want to be spoon fed the coordinates and pattern so you just go cast and reel one in...I guess I don't! Give me an area or some information and I will do the same. I know a good angler who I gave some areas to try that still says to me...Your spots you marked are huge! LOL! YEP...I fish big spots! |
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| SLED, love the crappies. Always have. Love finding them, love catching them, love eating a couple too. My second favorite fish behind walleye. Musky is third.
If you have any lakes in Vilas to share with a good crappie bite, PM me and I'll hit yah back.
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | If sharing fishing spots is your de rigueur of the day, sign up for Fishiddy and share away. There are plenty of folks there who also like to share info. Caveat emptor ! |
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| Spot hype...
If you have a "good" spot and you don't know when to fish it or how to fish it or what time of the year to fish it, and why the fish are there, is it still a good spot? Or is it just a dot on a map where you caught a fish once? |
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Location: The desert | Brett Waldera - 1/12/2016 3:42 PM
I give people "areas" more than spots...if you are a decent angler it will not take you long to figure out the spot in the area. Do you really want to be spoon fed the coordinates and pattern so you just go cast and reel one in...I guess I don't! Give me an area or some information and I will do the same. I know a good angler who I gave some areas to try that still says to me...Your spots you marked are huge! LOL! YEP...I fish big spots! ;)
This is definitely a good practice, and one I've been fortunate to benefit from Brett on. We talked about some local lakes, he told me he was seeing fish in certain depth ranges, and sent me on the way. Caught a few fish on the info, and learned more about the lake and other areas as opposed to driving to a coordinate and start flinging. |
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Location: Minnesota. | jonnysled - 1/12/2016 2:26 PM
ToddM - 1/12/2016 2:23 PM
Sled who makes the best crappie rod for double tens?
a guy who can find crappies consistently is a fisherman ... i can help you with smallies but ambush predators are easy compared to schooling fish.
I've always said that if you find a guy who's a good crappie fisherman (thinking mainly the "V" here but it applies elsewhere - just not as "loudly") then you pay attention if you hear him chatting at the dock!
I ran into one such gent on our vacation some years back, on Vermilion...and gave him wide berth but would've LOVED to know how he did it and where he went. I knew enough not to even hint...
Good guy. Crappie fishermen are a different breed and I can't bring myself to the point where I can say I know how they do it.
He didn't always connect but enough times. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The Big V offers some very nice crappies...big gills, too. Love me some silver, especially the good ones. Got a couple over 16" in August there, released those, just seemed wrong to put a knife to a crappie like that.
And showed a couple folks on the outing exactly where to go get them some. They were respectful of the spots, and were very, very happy. Made my trip.
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Location: oswego, il | The panfish action on the west side of vermillion is awesome. You try and get a meal of those on the east side and you will have Ethiopians nick naming you skinny. |
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Posts: 354
Location: Vilas County, WI | This is a great thread and I can see all sides of the argument. For me, I use this forum as a tool to network, learn, and share info. I have asked for advice here on new bodies of water - but I always offer up info on my home waters in return.
However, some of you have mentioned that it is more rewarding to learn a lake yourself; or you've said put your time in on the water and learn it for yourself. Well for me, I only get about 80 - 100 hours of hardcore musky fishing in per season. I don't have the ability to spend more time on the water. There's some of you who probably put 80 hours on the water in a week... I do that in an entire season! Our skill sets are apples to oranges. I appreciate networking to cut my learning curve down a bit. And I'll gladly return the favor.
I really want to try a PMTT event but I just can't justify it when I don't get the time on the water, the knowledge, the experience, that many of those anglers have. |
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Posts: 102
| I don't share everything with everybody, but I do share. There are a few Muskies Inc chapter members that I regularly share information about our main home water, and they in turn share back. My theory is that we work together to create the fishery we have, we might as well work together to catch them. I can't fish everyday, so I figure if I can't be out there catching them, hopefully someone who helped maintain the fishery can capitalize on it. Also, if I see a father/son at the launch or passing by on the water, I will always let them know what's been working for us, as I love seeing/hearing about kids getting fish.
Now, for waters that aren't as heavily fished, I keep that information very tight to my main couple of boat partners. And, my small rivers that I've figured out, well, those aren't shared with anyone other than my one buddy who explored them with me. |
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Posts: 2058
| The mental approach to muskie fishing is a lot like hunting big whitetails with a bow in so many ways, funnels , looking for feeding patterns... On and on...You can adapt and overcome pressure, but your windows are much shorter and you better be "on point" when you get your opportunity. I'm analytical - so I'd just as soon figure things out on my own - much more rewarding. Most people share info to their "group" - Its just sometimes you get the telephone game and that group of 3-4 grows to 20+ and its too large for a good spot... Oh well lots of big muskies and deer to chase , sometimes it just forces you to find a new spot and pattern 
Edited by IAJustin 1/13/2016 10:10 AM
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Posts: 528
| Like many have said already, I find it more rewarding to figure them out on my own. Having summers off allows me to spend as much time on the water as I want...which is awesome. I used to fish bass tournaments and find myself being very analytical and keep a record of each day spent on the water. This, in my opinion, is a great advantage over those who do not. Patterns start to emerge from the data and quickly narrow down lakes, areas within the lakes, cover, baits to use, etc. to lead to a productive day on the water. Granted I've only had the sickness for about 4 years now, but my catch rates and number of encounters have increased with each passing year, much like anything else, the more time spent the more efficient a guy gets.
As far as sharing information with the few guys I fish with, we keep each other informed on whats going on on the lakes we fish. I prefer to keep the loop tight and not get too loose with information around guys I don't fish with... Just the way I am. |
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Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Through the fog of all the crazy BP meds, I finally came up with the proper terminology I should have used when describing Herbie's guide day that put a 51.5 and a 53.5 in the boat for Keith and I, and why I would not offer that information to anyone else as a matter of courtesy. So here you go Nelley...the answer to your 'challenge' that sent this thread south from bull#*#* from the basement.
Not 'his spots'.
His knowledge.
He knows when, where, how, and why to hit the areas he fishes, and is pretty darned analytical about it. The 'spot' is not as relevant as the rest, as missing a tiny crease at the right time means no action...and so on. He knows what a lot of people do not know. If he shares that with me, it stays with me, and it's very possible I still have no clue what his process will be the very next day. Anyone who catches on to the the spot can fish that area, and not see a freaking thing, leaving one to wonder exactly what the hell Herbie does to boat so many monster muskies.
There's this spot by the Golf Course on the Goon. I've caught a few fiddies there over the years. It may be good the entire week I am there, one day, a couple hours, or not worth fishing. After 30 years, I know when it will hold the big girls, and when to go elsewhere. It's just a spot, right?
Same way we find the biggest, baddest crappies in any one system. The 'where' won't help much if you don't know the how, and when. I don't get upset when I come around a point headed to one of my favorite patterns and there's a boat or two there. I just come back the next time I think the fish will be where I want them to be and catchable using the technique I figured out for that area, or join 'em. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | so you didn't want to share his knowledge, which in part is a spot... if a guy doesn't want to share a "spot" well, then isn't a spot part of his knowledge? sort of splitting hairs if you ask me... I can respect that you didn't want to share his knowledge (and spots) but I also think it is sort of funny you were sort of talking down to the rest of us who don't want to share spots ...not because we feel they are "ours" or a "secret" but because it is knowledge we have gained from countless hours on the water and countless dollars spent...! now if you were talking about guys who think they own spots ...I agree, nodody owns a spot and it does sound funny when a guy says they do
Edited by BNelson 1/14/2016 3:41 PM
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Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | BNelson - 1/14/2016 3:39 PM
so you didn't want to share his knowledge, which in part is a spot... if a guy doesn't want to share a "spot" well, then isn't a spot part of his knowledge? sort of splitting hairs if you ask me... I can respect that you didn't want to share his knowledge (and spots) but I also think it is sort of funny you were sort of talking down to the rest of us who don't want to share spots ...not because we feel they are "ours" or a "secret" but because is it knowledge we have gained from countless hours on the water and countless dollars spent...
Posts: 7077
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Please stop fighting |
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Location: Contrarian Island | site would really get boring without a little debating tho! |
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Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Fact that is. I will now stop. |
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Posts: 1149
Location: Minnesota. | Meh, I think "We're all bozo's on this bus!"...
Man, the memories. Remember?
Edited by Jeremy 1/14/2016 5:37 PM
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| Wow Jeremy, you really reached back for that one! Firesign Theater came out with that album when I was in the Army in the early 1970s and when everything was screwed up, someone was sure to say "We are all bozos on this bus!". It was even funnier when a group of us EOD guys were sent to the Utah desert to test the chemicals in various munitions (nerve gas, mustard) that had been stored for a couple decades. Half the team went into the bunker each day in full rubber suits, the other half could rest in the bus, standing by as safety team. Six hours in a rubber suit and gas mask in the Utah desert during the summer pretty well whupped you, so we went in every other day. The team on the bus always referred to themselves as the Bozos on the Bus. Thanks for the memories. |
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Posts: 1149
Location: Minnesota. | North of 8 - 1/15/2016 9:51 AM
Wow Jeremy, you really reached back for that one! Firesign Theater came out with that album when I was in the Army in the early 1970s and when everything was screwed up, someone was sure to say "We are all bozos on this bus!". It was even funnier when a group of us EOD guys were sent to the Utah desert to test the chemicals in various munitions (nerve gas, mustard) that had been stored for a couple decades. Half the team went into the bunker each day in full rubber suits, the other half could rest in the bus, standing by as safety team. Six hours in a rubber suit and gas mask in the Utah desert during the summer pretty well whupped you, so we went in every other day. The team on the bus always referred to themselves as the Bozos on the Bus. Thanks for the memories.
*grins*.. you betcha. Me, I was sitting in the rice paddies in SE Asia and keeping the head down, ala 1970-73 too.
Thanks very much for sharing. Those were important times for us older boys...
Cheers,
Jeremy. |
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Posts: 1
| First time on-won't be a regular. As to Eagle lake, raised a world class muskie out of the cabbage on the side of Strawberry Island ( far side from the highway-facing Musky Bay ) in mid Aug-nice day. In that I rarely fish there, I would like to know where "Muskie Point " is where Ed Walden got his in the 1930s because it is nostalgic to cross places like that. Thx. Ed |
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Posts: 300
| I'm all for sharing information, but it usually has to be done with care. I've gotten a ton of help from people on this site, but most has been general information and areas and approaches to try. The body of water that I was helped with has a very tough bite, but with the information I've been given, I can almost always find fish. I do not share many of the spots I've found because the information is not mine to share. I've taken a few people out and showed them fish that they said were not in the lake. I have to be careful with whom I tell because I've been burned in the past, usually by my brother. He is the type of person that wants GPS coordinates, bait, depth, presentation, etc. He's even hauled a few of his deadbeat friends to a few locations my wife and I stumbled upon, only to beat them to a froth. I've learned to limit my information sharing with people I know have a big mouth. Sharing info for me is a case by case judgment. |
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Posts: 1266
Location: Walker, MN | When pressed about good spots, I try really hard not to share misinformation. I'm kidding of course. I'm always happy to help out newcomers with general info and how to find and fish more well known structures. Beyond that...well that's the whole game isn't it? |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | eoreilly@fsmlawfirm. - 1/15/2016 3:14 PM
First time on-won't be a regular. As to Eagle lake, raised a world class muskie out of the cabbage on the side of Strawberry Island ( far side from the highway-facing Musky Bay ) in mid Aug-nice day. In that I rarely fish there, I would like to know where "Muskie Point " is where Ed Walden got his in the 1930s because it is nostalgic to cross places like that. Thx. Ed
Musky Point is probably the least sexiest legendary spot in the history of fishing.Its within eye sight of the south side of Strawberry. Gets the absolute crap pounded out of it.
You are just as likely to encounter a giant anywhere else in that area...imo |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Hitchcock Rock and broke back bay are my favorite spots on Eagle ...
Edited by jonnysled 1/15/2016 5:01 PM
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Posts: 8824
| Pecker Point. Biggest fish I've ever netted.
Have to admit, I've fished Musky Point more times than I can remember and have never even seen a fish on it.
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Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Wait, what is my summer hobby? |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Slamr - 1/15/2016 5:15 PM
Wait, what is my summer hobby?
Slamr- You have a hobby, like knitting or needle point?
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Have fun!
Al
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Posts: 8824
| Slamr - 1/15/2016 5:15 PM
Wait, what is my summer hobby?
It's cool AJ. None of us think any less of you...
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIQkyZlWtFIAYmw0n... |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | OMG EA! This is the best winternet post ever!
Even ToddM can't top that..
Have fun!
Al |
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Posts: 20248
Location: oswego, il | You can't top monty python. Somebody posted the parrot skit a couple weeks ago, classic.
Edited by ToddM 1/16/2016 11:04 AM
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Posts: 1360
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | Jeff78 - 1/11/2016 9:31 AM
Let's see some of you ice fishing guys share your panny hot spots. You won't because the hordes will come in and fish it down to nothing. What is the difference between that and sharing your musky spots.
Most musky fisherman release their fish to be caught again by you or whomever. Most ice fishing panny guys only release the fish to their belly's .... thats the difference |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | FAT-SKI - 1/16/2016 12:18 PM
Jeff78 - 1/11/2016 9:31 AM
Let's see some of you ice fishing guys share your panny hot spots. You won't because the hordes will come in and fish it down to nothing. What is the difference between that and sharing your musky spots.
Most musky fisherman release their fish to be caught again by you or whomever. Most ice fishing panny guys only release the fish to their belly's .... thats the difference
You would be surprised at how many casual/accidental muskie fishers keep their catch. |
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Posts: 1360
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | I have my own opinions on sharing of info. When I started a few great sticks shared some really important info with me, and if it wasn't for them helping me with that, I am not sure I would have had any success. that said I think there is something to be said about the character of the guy that shares and one that doesn't.
For example. I fish a metro lake almost exclusively. This lake is so popular that EVERY spot on it has ridiculous pressure, there are no secrets. that said Last year (fall) I went out with one of my buddies. We were fishing a certain type of spot. (because this is his info I am going to avoid spilling to many beans) While fishing he told me that he had learned some of this from a different angler (fisher2) then fisher1 ended up taking a buddy or someone else he knew to these specific type of spots, not necessarily a certain spot but a certain type of spot (my friend who we will call fisher1 and the guy who told him we will call fisher 2) As far as I know fisher1 and fisher2 have been freinds for a few years. Once fisher2 found out that fisher1 was taking me or another person to this particular type of spot he more or less unfriended him all together and told fisher1 that he "betrayed" his friendship .... C'mon man were not high school kids anymore this is getting out of hand.... again to me, says a lot about fisher2's character.
My question is ... and honestly one of my largest complaints with this sport. Is why that every single guy who catches a big fish, a number of fish or has success somehow thinks hes a guide and deserves to get paid for his information? even with some of their friends ... I just don't get it
I learned on my own for two years before ever even joining this website. Fished a lone or with my brother almost exclusively. But without help from an experienced musky angler down the line theres no way I would have caught my first 50 this year. Which by the way fisher1 led me to. THANKS AGAIN fisher1!!!!!! 51" musky
just my .02
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Location: oswego, il | Are you known to fisher2 as fat-fisher3? You should at least send him a Christmas card with a pic of you holding a fish on "his" spot. |
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Posts: 1360
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | Jeff78 - 1/16/2016 12:41 PM
FAT-SKI - 1/16/2016 12:18 PM
Jeff78 - 1/11/2016 9:31 AM
Let's see some of you ice fishing guys share your panny hot spots. You won't because the hordes will come in and fish it down to nothing. What is the difference between that and sharing your musky spots.
Most musky fisherman release their fish to be caught again by you or whomever. Most ice fishing panny guys only release the fish to their belly's .... thats the difference
You would be surprised at how many casual/accidental muskie fishers keep their catch.
---No, I very well know and understand that. but in the grand scheme of things were talking 1 compared to 1,000,000,000 (obviously fake numbers but you get the point) |
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Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | ToddM - 1/16/2016 1:19 PM
Are you known to fisher2 as fat-fisher3? You should at least send him a Christmas card with a pic of you holding a fish on "his" spot.
"his" spot ... thats funny
I could care less if he knows me or not. I was fishing those spots before I even knew he existed or fished.
but if I ever meet him - ill be sure to show him that he inadvertently helped another lead me to my first 50". ha!
Edited by FAT-SKI 1/16/2016 1:45 PM
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Posts: 158
| FAT-SKI - 1/16/2016 12:44 PM
My question is ... and honestly one of my largest complaints with this sport. Is why that every single guy who catches a big fish, a number of fish or has success somehow thinks hes a guide and deserves to get paid for his information? even with some of their friends ... I just don't get it
So anyone who has success wants to be a guide or get paid for it? I just think that may be a little unfounded. You have to examine who you fish with at that point. I fish with a dozen friends that do the above and none of them 'thinks he's a guide' unless they already are guides. The only thing they get paid for is when I bring them a sammich when I jump in their boat...and vise versa.
Nice work on the 50 btw. They often don't come easy.
TB |
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| Teddy, You never told me you pay sammichs. Are they Hoyer quality? What are you doing for opener?? |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | There is no person on the Earth who pays in sammichs than Junkman. No one.
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Posts: 158
| The sammiches I bring are more Hamm quality...not quite Hoyeresqe! For opener, I'll obviously be flyfishing on Lake X enjoying the aforementioned sammiches.
TB |
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Posts: 441
| I share information with friends that share with me. I also will share some information with people new to the lake. I know how big the learning curve is! |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | I share nothing. I ask for nothing in return. I am all for other people catching big fish, I love seeing pics of big fish caught by other people. But like all of you guys I worked hard (at my young age 23) to know what I know, and beat my head off the wall and stuck with it in our crappy waters over here to get on fish. Yes I've got a lot to learn. But I do have people all the time asking me to get them on a nice Muskie or even more common here, a big walleye or pike through the ice. How can I let someone slide into a big fish with little to no learning curve invested, little to no time and effort invested? Maybe some day after I've gotten my fill.. But I'm still young and very hungry. So I stay quiet. |
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