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| This year, I learned or perhaps re-inforced a few notions about muskies:
1) OK, not new, but it was hammered home to me that big wind and waves coming into a spot can mean absolutely everything. Probably underestimated this a bit in the past.
2) That muskies continue to feed on top in water temps that I used to think were too cold. Had a good top water bite working w/ the H20 temps falling into the low 50's and cold air temps. Now when guys say they catch fish on Top Raiders in 45 degree water, I have no doubt it can be done. Used to think the cut-off for a good surface bite was about 60.
3) Muskies are not always a fish of the edges. My biggest fish of the year so far, and one of my boat partners biggest fish of the year, came in a shallow spot that is something of a mini-desert. Little or no cover, little or no depth contour, and no deep water within 100 yards. As a one-time Southern bass guy, this behavior still strikes me as baffling.
Anyone?
BrianF.
Twin Cities |
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | That they don't follow the "rules". Sometimes I get stuck into a pattern of fishing what the books say I should and will continue to long without making a switch. Next year if I am not moving fish I will be a little quicker to switch up colors and presentations. |
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Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | i learned that they use some spots all year regardless of temp or depth, when you wouldnt think theyd be there. but i really learned that i have much to learn... |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I learned that if a bait isn't pinning up the fish well, and it is getting hit alot, to buy one similar that WILL get pinned up. Faster, this time, so 8 fish in a row don't simply open their yap and spit out the lure. I learned that the ladies can and will kick fanny muskie fishing. Sabaskong Bay is still FULL of muskies. Small lakes I used to fish deserve the attention now, too. The Wabull is a cool lure. Suckers do catch fish. Slamr is a great net man when one has no net. Muskie season is too short. |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Just a few I noticed this year:
1. Despite a highly sophisticated sensory system... their aim SUCKS.
2. They have jaws of steel that are impenetrable by even the sharpest hooks.
3. When they want bucktails.... give them bucktails.
4. Minnesota has muskies.
5. There is more good musky water close to my home than I thought.
6. There are a ton of ROCKS at the NW Angle of LOTW.
7. There is some merit to "Big baits catch big fish".
8. There is some merit to "Small baits catch big fish".
9. Rubber baits catch fish more many people, just not me.
10. Fishing with friends is more fun than fishing alone.
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Things I learned this year,
Ditto on the gals catching fish, and clutch fish too!
There are no "magic baits", but there are some truly magical spots.
If there is enough water to cover their back, they may be there. Had some awfully nice fish come out of real skinny water.
MRoberts has a horseshoe imbedded somewhere that is attracting big fish.
After a year of not throwing them as much as I should have (2002) I relearned that bucktails catch a bunch of fish, and you should have one in the water at all times.
Ice can come way to early in Northern Wisconsin. It really sucks when it comes when you are on a big fish pattern. It makes the off season seem even longer.
The Rhinelander musky league rocks! More of you should be fishing it. Thanks for running the league John!
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Posts: 148
Location: DES MOINES, IOWA | Big thing I learned was there is a lot of muskies in 4/5 foot of water, even in late July.Worked slop off main river channel with no luck.Decided to bomb long casts, with Topraiders along the weed edge of main channel to see if I could pull them out to me.Main channel of river 10 yards to 40 yards wide.Son took one weed edge, and I took the other, both using Topraiders, and firing casts as far as we could.One of the best ideas I have ever had. They came flying out of the slop on a search and destroy mission.Took 3 in one day, and one the next day; 38, 40, 41, & 45.Strange thing about these Muskies is the coloring;all were almost black to the point you have a hard time seeing the stripes.These fish never leave the river is my guess. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | The more time you spend on the water the better you get.
When you got a pattern nailed down, milk it for all its worth.
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Posts: 93
Location: Waukesha, WI. | The more I fish, the LESS I KNOW about this fish. Cold water, top water bait? A 46" on a frog bait I make. water temp vary low 50, this is my best fish to date. |
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Posts: 136
| I learned that my PMTT partner can catch a legal fish in a event. I learned that the TripD is a great throw back bait. I learned that you gotta LOVE making lures cause they won't make you rich. I learned that no matter what I personally think about a guy that I'm usually right. I learned that I should specify where I catch fish. I didn't learn that I should wear sunscreen when it is sunny. I didn't learn that 6 beers is enough. I didn't learn to not fish naked. I didn't learn that Cass is a sewer. I didn't learn to go home early and get up late. I didn't learn that I can't catch a LEGAL fish in a PMTT event. I'm back for my last year in 2004. I didn't learn to hide the beer when Midge is around..... |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | There can be bucktail bites on waters not considered bucktail lakes.
When fish are not inhaling or t-boning, you will hook up better with a crankbait with 3 trebles as opposed to 2.(in this instance they won't be hooked by all 3 as when they would be eating agressively)
There are lakes that are really good while turning over.
Homework, homework, homework. Find those lake x'a and get away from the crowds. |
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Posts: 172
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio | I learned that I think I know less than I did last year. Good fishin, Tyler |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | That no skunk is permanent and given the right conditions and guides, I too can catch a muskie. m |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | I learned that I don't know as much as I thought.
I also now know that you can lose 5 or 6 fish in a row on different lures. This really sucks by the way.
I learned that I better get off this damn computer and get the boat ready because we are going to Deer Lake in about an hour....C YA |
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Posts: 1430
Location: Eastern Ontario | I learned that I can be a hero one day and a zero the next. I learned that I can predict the capture of a monster within a 10 minute window. I learned that I too can get skunked 3 days in a row ( we did get a rip each day but fish never made it into the net ) but we did catch a 55 and 40 incher on day 4. I learned that anything is possible when it comes to catching muskies. I learned that you just can't talk to anyone about anything without getting in the wrong hands. I learned that muskies can be caught on top water in the middle of October. I learned that kids make great fishermen even at 10 years of age. I learned that some people will step to the lowest of levels in search of muskies. Best of all I learned that I just can't get out and fish often enough.  |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | I learned that there are a bunch of good people on this board, and some darn good fisherman.
I learned to listen, and help out others about waters I know, the best I can.
I also learned that even if you go 100% on suckers in the spring, the fall sucker bite can still kick my butt.
Good lungen,
Joel |
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| 1. This great site in addition to the two others I frequent
2. Jigging deep water structure with Magnum Bull Dawgs and Fuzzy Duzzits
3. Bigger baits just keep getting bigger fish (please take note lure makers)
4. Helped Leech Lake Spawning Ground Raffle
5. Helped Brian Barron Benefit
6. Helped Andrew Luchovick Jr. Trust
7. Turned 40, I have been musky fishing for 25 years, and I finally broke down and joined Muskies Inc.
Edited by muskyboy 11/14/2003 4:32 PM
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| I've learned that muskies are not a fish of 10K casts.
I've learned that each cast without a strike provides information to solve the puzzle of how to catch a musky.
I've learned that musky down time is more beneficial to learning more about big musky locations by fishing certain types of lures which gets them to expose themselves.
I've learned when to begin and end a 4 day cycle of being able to predict musky activities so as to not waste precious fishing time.
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I learned above all else, be there when they're hitting! |
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Posts: 202
Location: Angola, IN | I learned that if you want to catch big fish, hire a big fish guide. I learned that if you let musky fishing become a problem in your life, it will. I learned that trust means everything when you're after BIG HEAVIES. I learned that Muskies Inc. is headed in the wrong direction. Finally, I learned to appreciate all my time on the water, especially with my two brothers. |
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Posts: 440
| I learned this year.......
Don't cast when the trolling bite is on.
Don't troll when the casting bite is on.
Joined Muskies Inc and glad I did.
There is a difference between sharp hooks and SHARP hooks.
Don't quit fishing after catching 4 fish in one pass just because there is another match the next day.
There is a difference between having the "right" tools to do the job and just having tools to do the job. |
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Posts: 335
Location: Pulaski, WI | I just started in August. I learned:
- Muskie fishing is expensive
- Being a good bass fisherman doesn't make you a good muskie fisherman
- Muskie clubs are great
- I love fishing glide baits, but can't seem to catch anything on them
- I love the time on the water |
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Posts: 50
| that I don't know near enough about them
guess I'll have to spend more time fishing them next year
larry |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I learned: A lot of things with ChadG If the fish are on a hot bite, NEVER stop and go home!!! Heat exhaustion maybe???? I have a lot to learn. Be versatile. Don't be afraid to try things that don't seem right for the conditions. Don't be afraid to try different baits and gain confidence in them. I LOVE jerkbaits and crankbaits now. The more time I spend on the water fishing for muskies, the more they confuse me. Just get out and fish every chance you get These muskie web sites are a great place to hang out when stuck at home. Also that this is probably the most addictive thing I have ever fell into, not to mention expensive. But very well worth it. |
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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | I learned that guys who talk a lot of trash when they are hot are more difficult to deal with when they get skunked.
I learned that I am too stubborn to fish the way the I need to rather than fish the way I enjoy.
I learned that topwater fishing with slow movers like the hog wobbler and creeper is the most challenging way of fishing in terms of patience.
I learned that staying positive on the water is over half the battle.
I learned that even when feeling positive I can not catch a fish in a tournament.
I learned that 5 confidence baits are better than 100 new baits. |
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Posts: 129
Location: Bemidji, MN- | The big one is STILL the one that gets away. Back like a pig. Tail like a boat oar. Still suffering cold sweats. |
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Posts: 47
Location: The Land of Lincoln | I hate them even more than I did last year but I love them more, too!
mclarkin777
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Posts: 376
Location: Lake Vermilion Tower, MN | Hi All,
One thing I think we all need to learn is this.....
It doesn't matter how much you may think you know, there will always be something else to learn.
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What did you learn about Musky in '03?