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Posts: 358
| Hello All,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was wonderful.
As I am taking a break from the spraybooth for a bit, I was just wondering about a topic that I recently wrote a column for a local outdoors paper. What Did You Learn This Year?
A simple question, but I am willing to bet that if you give it just a little thought, you will probably come up with more than just one experience over the past season that you have come away learing something.
For me, I found a new spot on my lake where top water baits were an alltime hit!!!! Not to mention, this spot produced for about 3-weeks straight on top water. Yes folks, I made a note in fishing log about this!
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | I learned that Xllund gets very crabby if there is no coffee on board. I also learned that Muskie's don't read the how to books and don't always follow the rules.
But more importantly I learned go slow through the fog and make sure that you tie your bow line securely to your trailer when launching your boat by yourself and don't lunge for the rope when you wade into the water to retrieve your boat. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I learned that xllund does one heck of a paint job on a bait.
Bucktails can outproduce any other bait at times.
It's not that hard to find your own lake X or X's like I found this year.
I am really glad I like to troll.
Brett Carroll and his family catch more fish on my baits than I do.
Slamr has a cool new boat.
Steve Worrall's wedding was a blast.
If it's 95 degrees out, don't fish all day and burn yourself out before the evening bite.
Da Ratt by h2os2t is a wild looking water moving topwater bait.
Musky fisherman are a fertile bunch.
The best place to buy fishing reels is ebay.
The merc 115 and 125 2-strokes troll great but be prepared to breath alot of oil smoke.
Just because you buy a 150 dollar remote for your autopilot does not mean you will ever actually install it on your boat.
Rt. 30 in indiana has more crosses along it than arlington national cemetary.
Schuler actually fishes with hooks on his lures.
Sport show swap meets are just as fun as the sport shows.
Vibration may be more important than rattles in stained water.
Manoshevitz can weed growth vary from year to year, so can water temps.
There is hot numbers action after turnover.
I am glad I joined Muskies Inc.
There are alot of cool people on this site.
Edited by ToddM 11/29/2003 10:10 PM
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I learned a lot about trolling and I anticipate learning a lot more next year. I learned (in spite of my overall success) I still love to go after muskies. Probably a good thing I don't get to go more than I do. Otherwise I'd probably be in the doghouse like some of you are during the season. 
Edited by stephendawg 11/29/2003 10:59 PM
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Posts: 116
Location: winnipeg manitoba | muskies will be where they want to be. they don't follows our rules ,even when you think you have matters in hand and totally figured out they throw something unconventional at you that makes you wonder..........thats why all us nuts will be back at it as soon as we can, remember respect the middle................keep your lines tight ,c. stapon |
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Posts: 2089
| My buddy ChadG showed me some of the finer points of trolling our favorite local pond.Slamr is a blast in the boat.The 80/20 rule in sales also applies to muskie baits. I love to collect them, but catch the majority of my fish on the tried and true favorites.The ABU 7000 is the best reel for bucktails. There are no rules in muskie fishing. Just ask the fish.Time to go trolling on that local pond, although the Lone Stone boated a 36" on the magic drop belly casting yesterday.Maybe I'll cast more today! Steve |
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Posts: 14
Location: Oak Park, IL | I guess the biggest thing I learned this season regards the finer points of presentation: it really is far more important to pick a confidence bait to match a given situation, one that you know you work in a manner that makes fish strike, rather than worry about color, finish, or any fancy-schmancy paint job that some schlub at one of the shows talked you into getting...
Just kidding Mike, couldn't resist...I have a few baits for you myself..
-Rich Delaney |
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Posts: 244
Location: Mallard Island Lake Vermilion MN | Wow!
One thing is for sure, a LOT of RUDE Muskie fishermen out there at times.
And a A lot of so called experts.
Some really crabby people and some real idiots.
But they are mostly happy Idiots.
LOL
Also learned there are a lot of nice, friendly, very knowledgeable people around also that truely out weigh the rest.
"It's not that I don't like people, I just find I feel better when their not around"
Women are way fun to guide year after year and really do catch more fish and simply have NO bad macho habits.
Smell nice too.
Ace makes me laugh my ass off and understands me just a little bit.
Bigger aint always better.
There are always more places to find fish and NEW areas to try and New ways to work old lures.
People who sell gas are really greedy and will get theres at some point?
Karma is a real thing.
Witchdoctor at VooDootails makes a very high quality product.
BIG fish still give me the willeys!
Scott and his wife @ Slam'er simply rock.
John Dorsey will NEVER learn how to park at my front dock without smashing into it and makeing MORE work for me.
Homer J has turned into a fine Musky Hunter and compainon.
Rapala / Bluefox has a few really great people working for them and really still do make a very high quality product.
Mother Nature still surprises me.
Bonnie still loves me even after only seeing me 30 days all open water season.
I really love living on the Island and love guiding and fishing for Musky.
Totally enoy saying little and listening so I can keep learning more and more and more and more...
Having custom made rods really does make a difference.
There are STILL no fish by my dock!
"It's not that I don't like people, I just like them better when their not around."
Old guys really can play Rock -n- Roll.
Keep on Rock'en!
Tom Wehler
www.muskytomsguideservice.com
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I reconfirmed my belief that Time On the Water is everything. |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | This year I re-confirmed that the folks on this board are the best people around, sure there are some differences of opinion at times even some heated arguments but in the end every one helps each other either with kind words or actions. One new thing that I did learn is that Phishin (Steve Hulbert) gets very excited when he catches a fish I think that the next time he is in my boat I will have a defibulator along just in case.
Thanks to each and every one of you, hope you have a safe and happy holiday season
See ya at the Shows
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Big fish go shallow in the fall and winter too.
Big bait doesn't always = big fish.
Top water baits do work looooooooooong after turnover.
I throw waaaaaaaaay too much wood. |
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Posts: 202
Location: Angola, IN | 1. JohnMD has no idea how excited I can get....mid 50" fish gets my blood pumping!!
2. LOTW is the best place to be if you're a caster. Every spot that should hold a fish does....at least it did this past August in Sabaskong Bay.
3. It's possible to learn more in 1 hour with a guide than you can all year by yourself.
4. Big fish pictures are the most fertile breeding grounds for jealousy.
5. If you're getting married soon, learn how to lie. |
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Posts: 240
| For me this was my break out year with 23 muskies in my boat. The main thing I learned is what to look for on the lake when it comes to finding spots from my mentor Craig Stapon. I have learned that saddles in about the 5 to 15 foot range with deep water on either side can be an incredible hot spot expecialy when bolders and even better, when weeds are present as well. Also speed trolling wind blown shorelines that have deep water with reefs or small points can also be deadly. most of my fish this year came of small points of structure like this. I also learned that when the water is near freeze up and the sun is out, to work shallow sands flats in the 5 to 8 foot range. This is not what I would normaly do in the fall but it worked great for a few members on this board and I will certainly try it out next year.
Cory |
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Posts: 140
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I learned that you can't do anything about the weather & no matter what the weather, there is a muskie that will eat if you show the right bait and presentation to it.
Quote ... "The weather is what it is" ..... Steve Herbeck
Thad Hinshaw
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Posts: 7119
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Venison is really yummy; its worth driving 6 hours to go fish with Sworrall to get to it.
ToddM still has more baits than some muskie clubs.
Mike Hulbert's tackle bag/rucksack wouldnt fit in my apartment.
Oil is good for trucks.
7Islands showed me that if you know where the muskies are, they will come to a sucker without having to cast like a moron.
God showed me that if he doesnt want you to fish, he will send freezing temps that will stop any and all gear from working, even if you can dress warm enough.
Muskies taught me again that if they dont want to eat, they wont.
The Chain taught me that its smarter to get rid of last nights dinner BEFORE leaving to fish, than to chance ridding yourself of it while on the water.
Ralphie/MuskyFever taught me that payback is a B!TCH by blanking me 4-0 on the Chain of all places.
Boron and I had fun matchfishing, but I learned that we still suck as a team.
Luke_Chinewalker taught me to not try to pee off the back of his boat before he's decided we are in the right spot while rolling in 3.5fters.
I learned yet again that Motorola StarTacs dont float.
Steve Jonesi taught me that if someone says "you take it" when the sucker gets eaten, dont be nice and let them have it.
Setme31 showed me which key is the right one for my boat ignition.
My merc showed me that running through a 2ft deep channel for 2 hours isnt good for water pumps.
I still cant catch anything other than pike on bucktails.
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Looking back I learned several things this past year.
The more remote the location (Cave Run), the better chance you will need to find parts for your trolling motor.
Having a couple of gals on your league team can do nothing but help you.
Steve Worrall can not catch a league fish on a Pacemaker, no matter how many chances he gets.
The more remote the location (LOTW), the better chance someone will throw your only pliers over the side of the boat, isn't that right Troyz?
As long as there is enough water to cover there backs, muskies, and big muskies, can and do live there.
You can catch a muskie in any weather pattern, just keep pitching at good spots.
There are no magical lures, but there are some pretty awesome spots.
Never trust Flourocarbon on a sucker rig, when you least expect it, or least want it to happen, it can and will get bit. |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | I learned quite a few things this season.
If you fish all night, and boat a fish, don't fish for 12 more hours in the 90 degree sun in the hopes that another one will bite despite 2 million speed boaters chasing you.
I can only hook fish on sucker rigs that are worth hooking. That's why I miss so many on them.
Mikes Extreme is one cool dude, that can catch fish.
I am extremely lucky at fantasy PMTT.
The woman really does get ticked when I fish for 14 hours on a Saturday, after not seeing me all week.
You shouldn't forget a guys gloves on the grill when cooking brats in the boat. They dry a little too well.
I am starting to get a ton of baits, as I cleaned the boat and truck yesterday, and moved it all into the basement for the winter. Man I love lures!!!!
Finally, There are some really coooooool people on this board, and I will try to fish with all of them at some time in my life.
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | Fishing with your kids is by far the best!
And building a house during the season will result in keeping your #'s way under 200. |
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Posts: 1046
| What I really learned this season is that NO ONE really knows everything about musky fishing, but some are alot luckier then others! |
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Posts: 2061
Location: Belgium | I learned to apreciate some lures that I didn't like at all
spinnerbaits work most of the time
success in the past doesn't guarantee success now
I discovered some good trolling lures |
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Posts: 5874
| I learned:
That my daughter is a MuskieNut. Went out in 18 degree temps with me, and never complained it was too cold.
That I get just as, if not more, excited when my kids catch a fish than I do.
That I'll need to work hard to best my son's 49" pig he got this fall.
That I sucked at trolling on Peewaukee this year, 'cept when I was with the Extreme One.
That fall fish can be in skinny water.
On LOTW, if it looks fishy, it probably is.
Topraiders(6ea) weights come loose when you bang them off the rocks.
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Posts: 440
| As I read this thread I realized that I just learned in 2 minutes what everyone learned during the season, how cool it that. Talk about sharing knowledge.
I learned that Creepers work.
Good equipment does make a difference.
Steve Jonesi has a lot of lures and is a blast to fish with
Sharp hooks will catch you fish, dull ones will lose them.
If a muskies wants line, give it to him, hooks will straighten.
Just learned from my wife that MUSKIES ARE THE OTHER WOMAN.
It has been a great year, fished with some new friends got back fishing with some old ones. Wouldn't change a thing.
Edited by ChadG 12/8/2003 11:29 AM
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | Lower units do not win in a battle with rocks. Stay off the rocks. |
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Posts: 1237
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | I learned not to freak out like i used too whenever i see a wad of fish on the fishfinder.(Cause you cant catch em)
I learned that i still cant catch a muskie.
I learned a way to scare off unwanted jet-skiers.
The last thing that i learned was to not troll or fish behind Gregg Thomas because he will catch every muskie in the whole cove. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | Another thing I learned is xllund painted baits catch fish the first time I use them. Nice work mike! |
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Posts: 4266
| THAT I AM CAPTAIN NEMO AND I WILL NEVER REST UNTIL I HAVE TOUCHED THE BEAST! |
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Posts: 358
| Thanks for the kind words ToddM. Glad you had some action man!
Creepers, yes they do work! I caught the fattest fish of my previous season on a creeper.
Kind of in keeping with a previous comment on this thread, I will have to say, that no matter how much you think you know about muskie fishing, there always seems be some little tid bit of info that another angler can share that makes you just a little more succesful on the water.
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Posts: 169
Location: Pewaukee, WI | •Spending money, time, effort does not equal fish in the boat •I really suck at trolling, and if I hear "Fish-On Baby" over the radio by the Extreme One on Pewaukee one more time next summer... •There are alot of good people addicted to muskie hunting, and a few turkeys •Not to underestimate a storm...LOTW, 60mph winds, water spout, 2 scared kids and one knucklehead dad who shouldn't have been on the water...lucky to make it to camp •Sophomore year jinx?...maybe, but I'm still geeked as ever to pound the water. •Fishing LOTW, The Chip and Eagle Chain with your boys without a fish will get them intersted in another hobby fast •I learned more this year thanks to the MFirst site and the peoples (Sponge Speak) •Next year I will work harder and have even more FUN |
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Posts: 229
| I learned that you can catch muskies on places not marked on the maps.
I also learned that building a house greatly interferes with time on the water.
I learned there is no better time to fish TONKA than on a weekday in September after Labor Day. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | "Time on the water is your best bet" Steve said it all when he posted that.
There are some muskie fishermen that are so caught up in numbers that they are fishing alone almost all the time and piss and moan about everyone else.
The people that go out of there way to help others will gain friends and helpfull info from lots of people throught the years.
Fishing with new people is very rewarding for both sides.
Fishing different lakes will bring down your numbers for the year.
Fishing the same lake all year can rack up major numbers.
Find a pattern and beat it to death.
MuskieFirst outing are a blast.
MuskieFirst.com is the best muskie web site.
Muskies Inc is a great org. |
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What Did You Learn This Past Season?