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| does anybody know of another boat launch on tonka besides greys bay? I have a little 12' boat and its hard to cover water. It's easier to launch somewhere else if I knew where. I seen a launch in carsons bay but the parking said "by permit only." How would i get a permit or where is another boat launch? Any advice on good muskie spots not to far from a boat launch would be helpful.
thanks, jimus | |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | The Spring Park Bay ramp might be the most centrally located one. For someone with a smaller boat like yourself, the North Arm or Maxwell Bay ramp might be your best option. | |
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| Thanks AWH. Do you know of good muskie spots over there? Never fished.
jimus | |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | I rarely fish Tonka since I live north of Brainerd. It's actually been 2 years since I've fished it at all. But in all seriousness, anywhere on the lake can be good. With a 12 foot boat, my recommendation would be to launch in either North Arm or Maxwell and spend all your time in those two bays. Those two bays are connected. The reason I would suggest that is because they're smaller bays, so your pleasure boaters aren't going to be as much of a pain as they will be on the bigger bays. And there's excellent musky fishing in both bays as well. Spring Park Bay also has a lot of excellent musky spots within a short distance of the ramp. But you're going to see more pleasure boaters over there too.
As far as spots in those areas. If it looks good, fish it. Look for your underwater bars and points or any irregularities in the break line, these will likely be your better spots. But literally anywhere could hold fish - deep, shallow, and anywhere inbetween. That doesn't really narrow it down. But you never know from one day to the next where you're going to find active fish.
AWH | |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Buy yourself a "Reel Bottom" map and get the "upper lake" section or West section. You'll see so much structure you didn't know was there. I'd launch out of Spring Park or Cooks Bay or the Henn County Park on the upper lake. You could fish any of those areas and do well within site of the landing.
With a 12' boat I'd suggest trolling. You should be able to be very precise with a boat that size. Troll small cranks like little ernies, baby depthraiders or my new favorite tuff shad. Perch, walleye, crappie, or firetiger patterns should do well for you. Start my trolling the break and then move out a little and out a little until you start finding the baitfish. | |
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| Thanks guys, I'll try that out this coming weekend.
I was out sunday morning for 5 hrs. and fished wayzata bay 2hrs. NOTHING. Spent the remaining 3 hrs. trolling deeper water with a super shad rap NOTHING(one small northern).
I've been trying bucktails, topwater, twitchbaits, spinners, crankbaits and the last 2 wks. I haven't even had a follow. Do you think the fish are slowing down in the warmer water and not as agressive or am I going about it all wrong? Don't know what else to try.
1st year pure strain fishing and have yet to land my first muskie. I've been on tonka every weekend since opener. I have yet to feel the thrill of catching my first. I apreciate the advice and hopefully catch one before to long.
Thanks again, jimus | |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | Hang in there bud. Your time will come. You seem to be expressing a lot of surprise at not seeing a fish in two hours of casting. Believe me, even the best (which I cannot claim to be) can go many, many more hours at times w/o seeing fish. I was out there Sunday morning as well, and only saw one fish. The weather conditions weren't great, but you can use those kinds of days to learn new spots, and when I say learn them I don't just mean find them. I mean study every contour, practice boat positioning, casting angles, bait selection, everything. Then when you have better conditions you can come back and worry about actually catching fish. You sound like you're being flexible in your technique. Good. Keep fishing hard, taking note of everything. You are on some pretty good water. You WILL get bit soon. Be ready. | |
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| Jimus,
I live close to Tonka, and have a 16" boat...nothing special, but if you want to go out sometime and cast for some ski's, let me know. [email protected] I like to have a fishing partner to help with c$r of those big fish (and take a snapshot too). | |
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | There are two nice little landings [Phelps and Halstead] that would put you in good spots too.
From Phelps, you can get to spots around Enchanted, Shady, Spray, Wawataso, Eagle, Crane
and Goose islands. From Halsteads, you can fish Halsteads [nice extended point], or get out
into Priests Bay and fish hardscrabble point [watch the boat traffic of course].
Parking at both are limited. Halsteads landing has a bit more parking.
Fishing early, from "X" to 10am, is pretty safe... then the big boats start cruising.... jetskiers, etc... | |
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| Hey CALVINIST, I tried to e-mail you but it wouldn't go through. Give me your e-mail again and i'll try again latter. | |
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| Jim,
I did recieve one e-mail from you and wrote back to you...did you get that one? If not, try this other address
[email protected]
Give my your phone # and I'll call you, or I can give you mine.
Casey
Casey | |
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Posts: 129
| Jim,
be patient, it will happen. I am still musky-less for the year.
You have gotten great advice from the other posts, follow their advice and keep at it.
The first time a 30 pounder follows you back on Tonka and looks you in the
eye, it seems like they are checking you out to eat.
The fish can be anywhere at anytime and like the other posts say, there is structure
all over the place.
Tom | |
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| Thanks for the tips everybody, I took the advice and tried by all those islands(crane, eagle, and wawataso) and finally caught my first muskie. only 37" but it was great!
Thanks for the advice and support. It's only going to get better.
Jim | |
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tonka