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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Fish Catching: F-
2 GODDAMNED FISH in 14 days on the water....I'm a disgrace to the muskie world and my family name.
New Purchases: A+
New Boat rocks, with my 50hp Merc I could almost keep up with Ralph Bag O' Donuts yesterday. Boat is stable as can be, and low to the water making for easy fig8s and being able to see right into the water.
8'5" Custom Rod from Frank Bottiliergi is the best rod I've ever cast, bar none.
Muskie Fishing Enjoyment: C+
Long fruitless drives are killing me....5.5 hours to get back to the apartment from Indiana.
Set out to prove that there are NICE fish in a new (for me) Indiana lake, proved that this is true, the whole population of fish has come to the boat to say hi.....they just never want to eat.
But hey, I love to cast, so even if I'm just fishing minus the catching part, thats good enough....at least that's what I keep telling myself.
How would you grade your muskie season so far?
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Posts: 335
Location: Orland Park | Fish Catching: A
Went to St. Germain for the opener and spent a total of 4 hours casting for muskies. A 43"er on a figure 8. Can't do much better than that in Wisconsin.
New Purchases: A
Got the Lowrance Global Map 4000 for my birthday from my wife. Awesome! Just have to learn to use it better.
Bought the extended casting deck for the Ranger 519. Created so much room and storage space. The whole boat is now a massive casting deck/play area for the little one.
Equipment: F
Blew the #6 cylinder and the powerhead on the 225. Being rebuilt as I type. $3400. Ouch. (This is okay, though. Ordering a 521 in August) I'll have it for our annual Fall Trip. Gotta figure something would finally go wrong with the boat. 5 years and no problems......I was due.
Muskie Fishing Enjoyment: A+
Any time spent fishing, no matter if I'm catching anything or not, is enjoyable. Especially with my newest fishing buddy, Little Jimmy.
Summer's gonna get better. Leech Lake for a week starting July 26. Cass Lake for a week of camping starting August 9.
Slamr, maybe you can meet Brad, Mike and myself up there and we can show you how to catch a fish. Get that F grade up to an A.
Edited by Commanche Jim 6/30/2003 1:37 PM
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Posts: 131
Location: Kalamazoo, MI | Fish Catching: F
Im failing too. Four fish in the boat in about 30 outings. One on the first day we hit the water this year(03/23) and two of them came in one trip(05/04). Its been 57 days since I put the hooks in one.
New Purchases: B+
Four new reels, 5 new rods, and a couple hundred new lures. This was the first full season of musky fishing for me, and I went all out. I wish I had stuck with one or two lures!
Musky Fishing Enjoyment: C-
Its starting to get increasingly frustrating getting blanked time after time after time. We've resorted to fishing with ultralights for bluegill on a couple of occasions recently.
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Posts: 5874
| Catching: B+. Considering my start last year, I'm very happy to have put in 6 fish, lost a few, and raised many more, including a 48+ fatty that was caught last Wednesday night by another.
Purchases: D. I think I bought leass than $100 of new baits this year. Spent all my monwy on SalmonFirst stuff!
Enjoyment: A+. I've had a great time this year. Spent time alone, with my kids, and some great MFer's including Jason Smith, Extreme One, Sanks, and Mark H! Considering I've split my time equally between eyes and ski's, I'm having fun.
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Catching- A-/D: Doing alright with numbers this year and hours per fish. I am averaging a fish in less than every 7 hours (18 in the boat), but the size has been off this year. Only 3 of my fish have been over 40.
New Purchases- B: Didn't buy much in equipment this year, but bought a pile of new baits. Some work but still haven't found the magical one that catches them all the time. A big thumbs up on my new Frabill net, sure is nice to look at fish pictures with no split fins.
Enjoyment- A: As soon as I stop enjoying this I will quit. There is nothing better than a day on the water!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 544
Location: Alsip, Il | Catching: The season would be rated a F. Slamr, me too with the Indiana lakes, so far in 8 outings only a 30 and 24 incher for my credit. Illinois zero fish, Wisconsin also zero fish.
Purchasing: Would be rated an A+, got a new boat at a great, great price. An 18ft. Sabre BassCat with 150 efi. (65mph.) 2003 model that was 2nd prize in a bass tournament in Texas, runs smooth and has a 52 inch wide livewell, that I would love to put a musky in to just take a picture of and of course the fish would have to fill it up.
Enjoyment: Would be a c-, still enjoy just being out (but that is getting old), so far the highlight is my 87 1/2 year old dad getting a 40 incher out of Shelbyville.
Going to keep at it, Al |
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Location: Woodstock, IL | Fish Catching: F
I've only been on musky waters on two trips this year; however that equates to about 6 days casting for musky. Plenty of follows, but none converted to strikes. I'm beginning to develop a complex since follows are all I'm getting since 9/2000! New Purchases: A-
One new reel, 3 new rods, and a few new lures. Most importantly, one new boat. It's been great overall. The only reason I rated it an A- is because I've had a few minor things with the boat that wouldn't be a big deal if the dealer took care of me the first time with no hassle. Everything is good now and I'm heading back up to Vilas County next Tuesday. Maybe I'll boost my fish catching grade a bit!
Musky Fishing Enjoyment: A
Last year I would have rated it an "F". The new boat has helped a lot and I'm having a blast. Now all I need is musky slime on my hands and I'll be at an A+++. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Catching... "D" after around 25 hours of focused musky assault I've seen 7 follows and netted only 1. But, my son was my net man the day we landed it and that was a first! Hence, the "D" instead of "F". Purchases..."A+" New "used" boat for me and the klan. What an awesome blessing it is too. I never dreamed I'd have one. (anyone want pics?......) Enjoyment...A+++ and the interesting thing is, I can't really explain why to anyone except those who also enjoy angling. "Thank you Lord for a family who also enjoys the outdoors and fishing!" |
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Posts: 2378
| Cannot even grade myself yet. Have yet to wet a line chasing muskies. Between getting married, going on a honeymoon, buying a new house, and my Dad having the boat in the shop my muskie fishing time has been nonexistent so far this season. What the hell was I thinking?
I havent even had time to test drive all my new baits.
But I leave Wednesday for Vermillion. Hope to put at least a couple in the boat there. I need to get some slime on my hands before I lose it. |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Fish Catching: D, I haven't been on the water much with my back injury but have managed to boat six fish the biggest being only 38.
Equipment: A, Put in a Lowrance X-85, larger bilge pump, new deep cycle battery, welded the front roller bracket on the trailer and lot's of new baits.
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | Fish Catching B, started off the season at an A+ but the month of June was a bust. I have boated 7 which is equal to my total all of last year.
Purchases B bought a lot of new baits (to many actually) and spent way to much money. Time to cut back.
Enjoyment A - I don't care if I see fish or not - just being out is at least a B anything on top of that makes it an A. Additionally, I get to fish with or discuss fishing with some great people that I have met through the FRV chapter of Muskies Inc. and MF. Also, I have seen more big fish than I have ever seen before at this point in the season (have not caught them), and the challenge of now going back and trying to get them just adds to the enjoyment. |
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| Catching fish:(C+) I put about three to four nights on the water a week(mostly two hours) and have 14 muskys with one being 45" this season so far. My daughter likes me killing pike so she can play with in the livewell and eat fish sticks.
New water (B+) Its brand new water to me and completly different in tons of ways. Flowages can be your best friend and worst nightmare. I have had three fish days and blanked the next, but I am learning. Spending time driving around looking at spots trying to figure it out because all of the maps are bad.
Fishing buddys (A+) Mark Hintz is the best...and he shows up at the launch on time too....thats a bonus.
Boats (A+) I am still running my big 20' Tuffy and when I get three footers rolling across the flowage....its sure comes in handy.
Baits (Did not buy any)..I just use a spray can to change colors.
My Goal for the season....To have the new lake maps- say "Due to the recent movement of Jason Smith to the area the pike population has took a major decline, so stocking are needed to inprove the fishery"
Jason Smith |
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Posts: 642
Location: mount prospect illinois | Muskie catching: f- (i would say incomplete though). I got out one day in April and then 3 hours about three weeks ago. Zero fish. The birth of my twin boys has put a damper in the fishing this year (lil bastards!!!).
Purchases: D. Since i knew this was going to be a very down year, i didtn really buy much.
Enjoyment: A. The time i have been out has been wonderfull. Makes me realize how much fun it is just to be out and with a buddy or two. |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | Muskie catchings: C- the tally in my "new" boat this year is 6, one nice tiger, lost a fatty but now know where she lives, maybe I can catch her on league nite!!
Purchases: C- new Ranger boat should be helping the tally not hurtin it right?? Boat is actually a few years old but it is quickly making up for not going in the shop early in it's career! I still love my little bro:)
Enjoyment: A+ More and more for the last 25 years, My fiance is getting the netting thing down, and my 78 year old aunt was out with me and saw a 40 incher eat a Topraider, overall, the downtime is killin me but I have had many a memorable moment early in the season. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | Fish catching C-. Have not been out alot this year, only 3 fish and I really did not expect to catch on on my vacation which I did not.
Purchases A. Only a few dud lures but most rocked. Found a new teqnique for deep divers and the new reels(5 different models) I just bought on ebay have all proven to be good purchases.
Enjoyment B. Been slow but still having fun. I hope the summer is mild and last year's pattern works this year. |
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Posts: 119
Location: Waterford & Boulder Junction | Fish Catching:B
6o hours in 14 days for 7 fish. Vilas county 2 fish, Pewaukee 5 fish-finally the dead sea is paying off
New Purchases: C-
New starting battery, 12 new lures, and a new Frabil power net that a 38" swam right through-ouch!(not too impressed with the quality of the knots on the Frabil net-I'll take my Beckman back)
Muskie Fishing Enjoyment:B
Lacking partners for long weekends in Vilas county, thus fishing Pewaukee more. I'm getting used to the jet skiers at 7:00 AM and the mass of sailboats to dance around!
Landy Roepke |
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Posts: 81
Location: Stevens Point, WI | It has been a good season for me so far. Not in total numbers or total hours, but in the quality of each fishing day.
Fish Catching: A
I've managed to boat 6 so far in June, but 5 have been 40" or better (38", 40", 42", 44", 44", and 45" plus a bonus 28.5" walleye). I also missed 5 other muskies. My fishing hours are down with about 35 total hours casting. Average hours per fish is up slightly from the norm (missed a higher percentage than normal this year) and the average size is up a bit this year (42+", typically 40-41"). I've had several short duration fishing days in Vilas County (only 2-5 hours fishing/each calendar day).
Fishing Purchases: A+
That is if you count spending only $30 so far this year on new tackle a good thing (but it's good for the pocket book).
Experience with Kids: A
I've managed to get the 4 yr old out a few times with me in the boat. This has kept the hours/day down but he's a blast to have in the boat, especially when he keeps asking to cast my 7' Lamiglas with a "big daddy bait" attached on the end.
Mike
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Posts: 196
| Fishing: B+ Boated 6 muskies, the biggest only 38 inches, in about 10 trips. I have fished about 6 new lakes this year. I too am more focussed on learning new water just wish I didn't have to drive 3 hours to do so.
Equipment: B Went through about 3 or 4 rubberhairy gliders and will probably spend more as they continue to get eaten. Have only purchased a few other baits but no success yet.
Enjoyment: A- Only complaint is the drive home. Also saw Ranger miss a fish at night when I happened to have my headlamp on and that was a great highlight so far. |
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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | Fishing:C- ....Since moving from Minnesota to Illinois last winter my time on the water was cut from 28-35 hrs per week on trophy potential water to maybe getting out 5 times since Southern Wisconsin opener. So far I have 3 fish in the boat all lower 30's but have seen many more, all the lakes I've been on are small southern wisconsin waters. I have gained a load of confidence with some baits that I just started thrwing this year like a Bulldawg and I'm even feeling more comfy tossing a creature or reaper.
Equipment:B ....I have picked up some really cool baits this year, Durst custom DDD's, Durst custom Magic Maker, some Voo Doo tails and I traded for a Rip N Glide that I can't wait to throw this weekend in Rhinelander. I do need a new rod though after breaking my St. Croix 
Enjoyment: A ....all in all I've been having fun the few times I've gotten out. My brother (Tallywhacker) is getting into muskie fishing and has seemed to have caught the fever, I can see this being something we'll do together the rest of our lives. Not to mention getting out once with my usual partner in crime Morriscode for the Mn. opener and once with the one and only Fish On. We''l it's up to the northland for this weekend so maybe my fishing grade will go up from a C- to a B?
Edited by Phish Killer 7/1/2003 7:18 PM
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Posts: 150
| Fishing A, I am still real green when it comes to chasing and figuring out these fish. Its been a challenge. But I have 7 fish this year and my best so far a 44". Lots of follows so I can feal for youu Slamr!! But its what keeps me coming back every week.
Equipment B, Spend about $30 each time I go to YeOl Tackle. So far out of about a dozen different baits I have only had luck with 2. Is this the norm??? Still lovin the Morrum and my 7'2" St. Croix.
Sucker Fishin C, I have had 3 fish on suckers and have yet to put one in the boat!!!
Gotta say this is the most fun I have had in my over 30 years of fishing. Love these fish!! Even when they just pull up to the boat to flash those big green eyes and smile. Its like they come up just to haunt me!!!
See ya on the water! |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Fishing B+ I have 15 in the boat this year with the biggest being 48". They have been all sizes, but all fun. Although June seemed to slow me down I started off ok with 6 in the boat my first trip to the northwoods this year, but time has run thin and haven't gotten on the water as much.
Equipment A- I finally got the Down East rodholders figured out, and rods and reels purchased in the offseason are fairing well. I do however need a new locator, as mine is aging.
Enjoyment A++ I have been having a ball this year. I got one of my buddies into skie fishing, and got him his first this year. A fat 39"er. I also got my first on a fly rod. All in all, I am ready to fish. Better go home sick today.
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Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | Fishing - C - Only one smaller ski in the boat but it's early and I'm a weekend warrior. Did get my biggest Walleye and largemouth of my life this season
Equipment - B - Would be higher but I think I bought to much stuff.
Enjoyment - B - Got a friend of mine his first Ski on his fist time trying for them. Time out is always enjoyable |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Fishing: B+ Only 6 in the boat but they came from only 4 1/2 days on the water. Have not been skunked yet this year on Skis(that will probably jinx me). Would have graded higher but no 50's yet. 3 fish 40 to 42 inch, other 3 between 33 and 38inch. I don't know where the followers are.. I have only had three missed fish. One hit casting a spinnerbait, saw the big sideways flash, felt the weight but no hook. Two other follows, one took a swipe and missed and one just wanted to see the boat I think.
Equipment: B- Have held off on buying high quality rod holders for trolling. Dang they seem expensive. Did buy some great lures and spooled up brand new power pro on all the rods!
Enjoyment: A The time on the water with my lifelong friend with no cell phone or kids crying (I have 4 mini ski hunters)is high quality time for sure. I would have went up to A+ but for that to happen I would have to get way more free time to be on the water, but gotta house to run, wife and kids to keep happy and spend time with too. My enjoyment at home is crutial to a happy marrige and happy well adjusted kids (this coming from somone with a "no known cure" Muskie Addict. My wife truely wants me to pop my first 50, I hope she doesn't think that will cure me. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Fishing A: with 31 muskies for myself this year and 46 total in the boat with partner and I.19 of the fish have been over 40" with a beefy 46.25 my biggest so far. i've logged aobut 30 hours per week on the water, so my catch rates have been a bit lower than most years. Hopefully things will pick up a bit with some stable weather, etc... New waters learned B+ Got a few fish out of Lake michigan including some nice ones and was able to add great lakes spotted muskies to the list of fish caught. Big fish conversion F: Seen four in the four foot range or better, and have not gotten one to hit. Purchases B: Learned to use a few new lures, but have kept buying to a minimum. Boat A+++++ Love my 1984 Ozark, and will never let her go!!!!!!!! Marital status...Pending....Getting married this Aug. so we'll see what it does to the records from there on out....
Edited by Reef Hawg 7/1/2003 10:44 AM
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Posts: 78
Location: Pardeeville, WI | Fishing A+} Anyday above ground and on the water is a great day. I caught my biggest musky ever 36.5 inches and lost another in the net that probably went around 42inches.
Equipment A} I didnt spend a lot this year compared to last but all my equipment seems to be going strong this year. (Knock on wood)
This is my 4 year musky fishing and I have caught only 1 fish per year including this year. With this quick start I have going this year I am really hoping I can catch at least 5 fish with one being over 40 inches.
I need to start hiring guides more I think.
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Fishing: F 1 18" muskie so far this year with countless follows oh yeah, I lost 8 fish including a couple big ones Purchases A I like my new 4 hp outboard so far and really like my 7' gapen's rod Plus a few baits I bought over winter Enjoyment B I hate not catching fish but enjoyed my first trip up north and like being on the water |
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Posts: 4266
| Fishcatching A+ One for one. One strike, one 46.5"er. Only fished one 3-day weekend. Back problems again, but I'm fishing shorts bursts. Went up for the first days of summer, fished the first 3 hours, came in, ate, napped, iced , medicated.....not in that order....then back out for the last 3 hours. Moved a few mid forty inch fish on my new Beaverturds, but no eaters yet. So if I can catch one mid 40 on every weekend trip, I'll be a happy guy. Gotta get in shape for fall.
Buying A+....Went nuts. Sold almost every lure that I had that I didn't use on a consistent basis and bought all Hughes Rivers to replace the unused stuff. I'm happy and so are the people that I sold my lures to.....except Slamr of course. The lure doesn't work right, so it's the lures fault! BTW Slamr, YOUR Beaverturd is in the basement drying right now. It's the last one on the rack, then I am done.
Love my new Avid 7'6"ers. I got the MH this year, next year I'll get 2 of the heavies.
Fishing enjoyment...A+! Only one long weekend with my wife and we had a gas. Caught a fish, she moved a couple and we both got alot of mid-day rest instead of beating our brains out. She's gotta have her neck fusion surgery redone, so we're both on the DL. Looking forward to 2 weeks on Cass in September, until then it'll just be long weekends here and there.
Slamr, e-mail me your shipping address.
Good luck to all. And remember, we grade on a curve over here. Everybody passes.
Beav
Edited by Beaver 7/1/2003 8:02 PM
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Posts: 572
Location: Williamstown, WV | Musky catching: C - I give myself this because I have been so busy and only been out maybe 12 times all year. Only caught 2, but I'm still a semi-rookie
Enjoyment A+ - Any day away from work and the busy life is a blessing
but I would like to spend more time on the muskie website here, but working nights so it's kinda hard.
New Purchases A+ - got a new boat and love it.
Shawn |
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Posts: 3926
| Fish Catching - C, not enough in the boat, but I've seen more than in the past.
New Purchases - B,lots of new baits, my new 55lb Minnkota makes a wake behind my small but proud fishing boat.
Overall - A, fished more with friends from the board, AND all of a sudden my 10y/o son is into musky fishing (i've died and gone to heaven) I've received some very cool baits from folks, too. |
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Posts: 16
| Fishing (Local): A++, My first year muskie fishing. I have about 8 trips out to the local lake with 6 fish in the boat. My largest being a 42" fattie. Add to that two nice fish lost and countless follows. My total does not include the 42" fish my son caught as his first muskie -- witnessed by his best friend who had never been fishing before. My daughter caught her first two weeks ago (a plump 28" with lots of attitude) and two my wife has put in the boat. Needless to say, my whole family is nuts about muskie fishing. My kids think I am a super dad and their friends have all asked to go out with us this year. Not bad for my first year. My son still brags about his fish and the one that nailed his lure sitting still in the water (while we were working a backlash). We both happened to look up at the lure at the same time and saw a missle shoot out from the depths, miss the lure on the first pass, then hammer it like a tone of bricks and the second pass. We missed the fish but what a fantastic sight. Water was clear. Fish looked like a torpedo homing in for the kill.
Fishing (Vacation): D-. went to Cass lake and the weather really skunked us. Multiple storm fronts moving through with lots of rain, really turned the fish off. I did have the opportunity to fish with Steve Cady later in the week-- what a blast. Steve took me and my brother out. We saw 5 fish, boated one shorty and had a follow (my brother) by the biggest fish I have ever seen. Steve thought it was 52" plus. I think my brother is still shaking. Learned allot from Steve during the day and had a great time. Don't ever hesitate to hire a guide -- especially if you are on a lake you are not familiar with.
Fishing Gear: For me, an A+, from my wife's point of view, and F-. I have purchased all my gear between Jan and Jun this year (multiple rods, reels, line, safety gear, tackle, boxes, lure retriever, new depth finder, etc). I think I spent my kids college fund. It's tough when you actually consider spending the mortgage money to puchase a few more baits. Can you tell I am hooked?
Fishing Enjoyment: A+++, I am having a blast. What a great way to bring the family together. When I started, I took a bunch of crap from my co-workers and friends. Now they all want me to take them out. Amazing what a few snapshots of a 40+ inch fish will do. I gotta thank everyone on this board who has helped me out. What a great way to share info. I have learned two very important things these past few months -- "practice CPR religously" and "all other fish are just bait!!!!!!!" Gotta go get the boat ready for tomorrow. I have an early appointment at the local lake.
Jerry (aka.... Chief)
Edited by Fordjk 7/4/2003 5:52 PM
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Early/Mid Season Report Card?