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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | But what do you do? I've had high hopes for this season, fished with some REALLY great fisherman. Fished in great places; Rhinelander, Mercer, Madison, Presque Isle, Webster, Waukesha County, Kenosha County, Dodge County. I've spent quite a bit of time on the water and only boated 4 fish and had 3 other follows. After the last 8 total days I've been out I had one sucker rip and seen one fish. I'm fishing in great water! Presque Isle, Webster and Okauchee. As I've discussed with others, i'm really starting to feel defeated. I think i'm doing things right, i always ask questions, i've learned alot that's for sure. All i have to show for it is a sore shoulder and a wife who thinks i'm having an affair since I have no proof that i'm fishing!! I love to fish, i always look forward to every chance i get on the water, but then i like to catch the allusive buggers too. How do you keep your spirits up after having a horrible season. What do you do get yourself mentally prepared for open day next year. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Scott,
I wrote a post answering you when the author said Guest, and it disappeared. I don't think it would have been pulled. If it was, I have no idea why.
Anyway, I could have posted almost the exact same thing as you. I've caught four, too, and not one casting. Putting a ton of pressure on myself was starting to ruin the whole experience, especially after being skunked on Eagle and losing a trophy in the process. I decided the fun is in the learning, fishing different lakes, and most of all in the people I've fished with. I bet if everyone that posts put up their numbers, most guys would be between one and ten.
Look at the list of guys you've fished with this year. You're doing something right or you wouldn't have the invitations. Enjoy the experience. IMHO, that's what it's all about. Stop pressing. You'll probably get 20 next season.
Kevin
I like the mashed potatoes whipped up real good. I use a stand mixer.
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Posts: 284
Location: Fishing the weeds | I talk to myself and the fish Gods. "Today's the day". New personal best for this particular lake or fish a new spot on the lake that other people have overlooked. Maybe a little different way to work a spot or bait. Just a lot of talking and speculating. This is what keeps me up for everyday on the water. Some people think I've lost it but, I have not yet resorted to answering myself. And, it's still better than working. Pat |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | My son went through a period like that only it lasted for 3 years. He lost more fish than I could count. Depression was his middle name. I was afraid he was going to give up on it, but he didn't. He just had to learn to slow down. That's hard when you're young. He was setting the hook too fast, too hard and too frequently. Since that time (13 years ago) he has been on a tear. I think he may be one of the best muskie fishermen I have ever fished with. What's that they say, "I taught him everything he knows....but not everything I know." Just kidding. I gave him the same gift my father gave me...I took him to Canada every year from the time he was 10 and kept him in the boat 12-14 hours a day.
Now is the time you re-think everything you did this past year. Just being on good muskie water doesn't mean you are going to catch fish. Take all your maps over the winter and analyze the waters you fish. Read all those muskie fishing books like Peason's "Muskies on the Shield." Make a plan of action for each day of fishing. Know where you are headed on the water and more importantly...why.
Be more observant of water and weather conditions. Make sure you are fishing at the most productive times on the most productive structure. Concentrate on every cast and retrieve. Sharpen all your hooks, check all your equipment and at the end of the day write out a journal on What, Where, When and Why. You'll be surprised what a difference it will make.
Keep your chin up...things will definitely get better. As for the wife....take her with you. Of course that doesn't work with my wife. She gave me an anniversary card for our 39th that said, "The sign of a long, sucessful marriage is when you don't care where your spouse goes....as long as you don't have to go along." Good Luck.
Edited by rpieske 11/20/2006 9:09 AM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Kevin has it right, and you are more than welcome to join me again next summer. We have a date with some Mud Bay muskies. They owe us one.
Fishing muskies will make you crazy if you put too much pressure on yourself. Even the guys who catch big numbers do that to themselves. For some it's good motivation.
'Pressure' ruins my day, so I stopped doing that a long time ago. |
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| one of the unfortunate side-effects of easy access to information (such as on MuskieFirst) is that it can lead to unrealistic expectations, and to feelings of disappointment.
you got 4 fish this year...without owning a boat!
that's actually an exceptionally good year if you ask me, considering the limited amount of time you get on the water and the limited amount of experience you've got.
i bought my first muskie lure in 1992. i caught my first muskie in 1997. i know some pretty good fishermen who haven't caught 4 fish this year...and i doubt they'll have much sympathy for you!
every monday morning people check the website and see reports of people catching muskies and pictures of someone who caught a big muskie. it's natural to start thinking that it's easy to do. guess what? it's not. it takes a LOT of time and a lot of attention to detail to catch a muskie, let alone catch more and bigger ones.
a good goal? celebrate right now that you caught 4 fish this year, which is more than many people do even with a boat. then think about setting reasonable expectations for yourself for next year, and what you're going to do to achieve them. a good place to start might be patience...
here's a tip: fishing with people and asking questions isn't enough. you need to pay attention to what you're seeing and listen to what you're hearing. for example, when we fished together on the last day of the P.I. outing i kept trying to politely suggest that you throw something slow-moving like a dawg or a side-to-side jerkbait. you kept burning that 15" XXX bucktail for hours on end because it was your new bait. eventually you were mumbling under your breath about not seeing any fish (there's that patience thing again). that afternoon, a Perka got hit on the pause by a pretty nice fish...
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Posts: 8865
| I could have told that same story this year, or last year, or even the year before that...
I think a good slump builds character!
Serioulsy though, Scott -- I had my moments of frustration just like you, driving home in the truck thinking "$^&%, %$*%&*!!" feeling like you want to break something at the end of fishless day #27 in a row...
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
WHAT DO I DO?
And two things happened
1. I finally caught a few fish (Thanks Brad  )
2. I remembered how much I loved fishing in the first place... before I started musky fishing I am SURE I had a lot of fishless days. 30 years of fishing, I MUST have had days where I didn't catch anything, but for the life of me I couldn't remember any...
And that's when the light went on.
"You dummy... You've been fishing since you could walk, and you never put this kind of pressure on yourself before. You fished, you caught fish, and that was that. Now you start chasing one of the most elusive fish, one that there just aren't that many of, and now it matters how many days it's been since you caught one?!!"
It also helped talking to a few people who hadn't caught a musky in a year, or two years even...
So what do you do?
Get out there and fish. Pay attention, of course, but take some time to enjoy the conversation, maybe look up once in a while and take a second to think about where you're at. Cathcing fish is great, but you know what, Scott?
If you're being so intense that you're not having fun? You're missing why you are there in the first place. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | you hit it mike ... remember the year and answer these questions 1) did you learn anything, 2) did you meet some good people and finally 3) did you have a good time as compared to alternatives for time spent ... oh, and see a loon or 3? .... if so, you for sure didn't waste your time. remember, it's supposed to be fun.
i had an average to below average year for many reasons after a kick butt 2005 and couldn't pick one over the other. i learned that it's not important to me to judge myself or be judged by others (you'd be surprised ....) but if i enjoyed it enough to want to keep it up next year, it's enough for me. it's not a race ... it's not a tournament ... and there is no finish line .... it's just a lifestyle and a pastime .... that's all.
my boat will always be a place that's fun first and i hope you get a chance to join me again next year. bring the wife ... chicks are good luck! |
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Posts: 136
| I'm sure we can all relate. I know it's tough but you have to stay confident. If you fish angry you are screwed. You should fish in MN too |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | I hope my post didn't make a me sound greedy. I greatly appreciate everyone who has shared their boat with me in the past year. I hope I was pleasure to have aboard. I have made some great friends and have a whole bunch of stories some funny, some serious, some people should NEVER talk about again. I will thank the stars for the 4 that i have in the boat right now and the one the wife has. It was pretty cool last night, she actually expressed interest into going to andy meyer's lodge next year. I was blown away!! I might have to start planning a trip next year an opportunity like this might not come up again.. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Scott,
I know exactly what you are going through. I posted a similar post eariler in the summer. I had a few fish that I caught in the spring and then went months without catching a fish. I also got to meet a lot of great people and fish with them as well. After posting my sense of defeat on the season I got responces identical to the ones above. So I tried to take the advice given. Dont go out think you need to put a fish in the boat in order for the day to be a success. Pick the guys brains that you are with, learn new water, new baits, new tactics etc. Try to build up the confidence in yourself and what you are doing. Its hard to be confident when you arent moving jack for fish. Just stay positive! When I got back to school I would go out in the river and not catch a thing. I watched what other guys were doing and throwing, as they were catching the fish. So I dug the bait they were throwing out of my box and BAM! things just clicked. I had ideas where fish were sitting, how to work my bait to get them to eat. Things just started snow balling down hill in my favor. Now at the beginning of the season I had the goal of getting 10 fish this season. I am at 9 right now. Do I consider the season a loss? Heck no. Looking back at the slump I was in and now that the fish started cooperating I have learned that just be patient, keep plugging away and eventually the musky gods will shine on you!
As for preparing for next season.....just give the season about 3 or so weeks of solid ice on the water and you not casting your musky stuff.....I'm pretty sure you will be ready to start throwing again!
Mike
Edited by Pointerpride102 11/20/2006 11:18 AM
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Posts: 401
| I got into these buggers to help with the "I need to catch something" attitude.
Still love muskies but when I start to get down and out I go after these footballs.
Hope all is well. 20 inch smallmouth will always be fun.
Keith |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I think Lambeau makes a good point...and one maybe he even learned fishing w/ me last season....If the guy you are fishing with knows the water alot better than you, what works and what usually doesn't....and maybe has a few more fish under his belt..swallow your pride and throw what he suggests...or throw what is working...if he's smoking fish on a depthraider in front of you...are you going to throw a creeper? probably not the best move.
If you are fishing with Herbie on Eagle or one of his top guides..would it be smart to throw what he tells you or the exact opposite despite the guide telling you to not throw it? Believe it or not there are guys that don't listen to Herbie....Listen to what the guys that catch lots of big fish suggest you throw...sure you might be able to throw what you want and catch fish but if your goal is to actually catch a fish, then throw what is proven...if you want to throw that shiny new bait of yours all day despite other baits being a better option and you don't catch a fish..don't whine about it later....heck I'm even guilty of not throwing what I should at times..
If you only take the 4 fish as the basis for succes or failure, maybe that isn't the best season with the number of hours you put in, but as others have said look at all the valuable info you have learned along the way and apply what worked and didn't work next year and you will catch a few more I'm sure....
always keep an open mind to musky fishing... keep fishing with the best fishermen you can and soak up as much as you can...
Edited by MSKY HNR 11/20/2006 1:44 PM
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Posts: 8865
| To add to what Brad said above:
If the guy you're fishing with hands you a bait and says "throw this"?
Throw it.
"Wow, that things big. Not easy to cast either. The fish ain't moving today, maybe I should try a slower bait, or at least something that's easier to throw... Why did he give me this bait? I might throw it up North, but here? Maybe one half the size, and sure not that color, maybe something with some orange... Oh well, I'll throw it a few casts and HEY, there's one!" |
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| i've learned to pay no attention to what other people are catching in comparison to my fishing exploits.
i've also learned that it's not really all that important to catch fish....for me, for some reason seeing that big shadow is enough...getting one in the net is even better, but, i just realized early on that they're muskies, they're stupid and they're hard to catch and land on a consistent basis...for me anyhow.
the day i quit having fun and laughing out on the water and on the way home or at night after im out, is the day i'm DONE. |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | My number one rule above everything is: BE THERE WHEN THEY ARE HITTING!
I promise you, your odds will go way up! |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | I know how depressing it can be, 2 years fishing with a partner that knows the lake and with a guide that quiting is not on his list of things to do that day and no fish. All I could think of over the winter was what can be done to end the drought of no fish. I listened to all the seminars on the website and made 2 muskie shows and couldn't wait to hit the water opening day. That morning with all the friends of this site we hit the lake and before I could get a line in the water Sanks had a 39" fish along side the boat. 1 fish an hour later, with a couple of follows after that. We all spend alot of time on the water but what else do you love to do. Look foward to next season good things will come to those that work hard for it........
Bruce
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Next year let the fish tell you what they want... and not a magazine article or message board banter. Then have the confidence to experiment with YOUR OWN ideas for what should work that day. Having confidence in your decisions is very important. Once you get past that "pressure to produce" syndrome and just relax and react to what you encounter that day... you'll score much easier and more consistently. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | For you single guys out sampling the night life, take Jlong's last post and replace the word fish with girls, women, or for the more crass and insensitive of you, chicks.
You'll score much easier and on a more consistent basis.
Kevin
My turkey is so large, I need a new roaster. |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | I understand how you are feeling, some years are just like that it seems. I recall phoning my wife one time while standing in a snowstorm in Oregon hunting for elk. The snow was really coming down and the wind was blowing and it was miserable. I had been out for about 10 days and hadn't seen a single critter. I got back to the truck and phoned my wife to say "there are no elk in Oregon", lol.
Take a break and re-charge your batteries.
Jed V.
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Posts: 327
| Scott , I know how you feel , but it doesn't bother me . I just love to be outside and enjoy the outdoors , I've been fishing and hunting my whole life and have countless dayd of fishing and hunting where I haven't seen crap !! But I love to do both , so to me catching a fish or putting the hammer down on a deer is a TOTAL bonus !! Mike and I have fished many many days and not seen or caught a fish , but we keep doing our homework and plugging away so we're finally catching more fish !! I am not by any means saying I'm some muskie expert , that's VERY FAR from the truth , but listening to all the fine folks here at M1St and the people I've met at the outings has increased my knowlecge greatly !! Thanks everybody !!! Any time you want to come and see how many fish we don't catch you're more than welcome !! I guarantee you'll have a good day , and you never know , we might just stick a fish or 2 !! Bring the little lady , I'll bring mine , I guarantee they'll catch a fish while we watch !! It's always thet way when I bring my wife fishing , but I like to see other people have fun too , so the sacrifice of fighting a fish is worth it to me !!! |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Jeremy,
Good analogy to hunting. We sat for a couple days here and saw very few deer, then today they came out of the woodwork. We now have a full freezer! I was beginning to wonder, until Sue pointed out that the record I keep in felt tip on the wall of the blind showed that happening quite a bit. Like Muskie fishing or any 'hunting' sport, just relax and do what you need to do, it'll happen if you have it right |
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Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | perfect example...last year got my first fish at halloween. it was a 47 and my p.b. i kept telling myself all spring, summer and fall, if you stop pounding the water, you will end up with this skunk! i didnt, and got a 38 a week later, that was it for the year. this year i have 7 fish, none over 33. but i raised a fish in late spring that was the biggest pig i ever saw in my home lake.and thats all it takes... the one time you see a true giant is all you need to make you go back time and again. and it is worth all the skunks in the world.... |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | The last few years I went from 10-20 fish years to only 1 year the last 2 years. I know how frustrated you can get. Just want to throw all the rods and baits in the lake and start bass fishing again. But then I think, it's not the same. I still love every minute I'm on the water, I just can't get out as much the last couple years, but I still keep going knowing that there's a good chance I'll come home without landing a muskie. Enjoy the time on the water. For me, it's my escape from EVERYTHING else that's going on throughout the week. Sure it's great to land fish every trip out, but that's not reality for the majority. You wouldn't keep going out if you didn't want to be on the water just enjoying what you love to do, the fish are a BONUS. The last 2 years I've had to wait untill November to catch a muskie, but they were worth it. Keep at it . |
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Posts: 19
| Hey guys, tons of great posts. I know I don't have as much experience chasing these crazy fish @ 3years and I would have to say that the best thing any rookie muskie chaser can do is fish with guys with experience. its like any other sport. great coaching is essential and it is just as important to be coachable. i have the great luck to fish with some guys on top of their game. i have had learned so much from brad nelson, cory painter, jeff hanson. brad nelson is on top of his game and everytime i get on the water with him i walk away with some more knowledge that will make me a better muskie hunter. when a more experienced muskie hunter makes a suggestion ask him why? try to learn about the water, presentation, weather patterns. etc... it is a blast to try new techniques and see fish even better to get one in the net. i believe that time on the water is also important. learn from your mistakes. i may not have caught as many fish as previous years but i have gained twice the knowledge and can't wait to attack the next season. just keep your chin up and pound & ground!!!!!! |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | I had an 86 hr 3 follow summer once... I just looked at it as a nice time outside and on the water.... lol
The funny thing is, the closest I got to getting a muskie in the boat was I almost dropped my anker on one by accident. Just missed it to!
James
http://www.gruntmuskielures.com
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| jlong - 11/21/2006 8:35 AM
Next year let the fish tell you what they want... and not a magazine article or message board banter. Then have the confidence to experiment with YOUR OWN ideas for what should work that day. Having confidence in your decisions is very important. Once you get past that "pressure to produce" syndrome and just relax and react to what you encounter that day... you'll score much easier and more consistently.
Hit it on the head. |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | Don't ever give up - I feel like a better fisherman every time I fish and especially after I fish with other people. Eventually all the little bits and pieces you pick up from magazines, online, and other fishermen will fall into place and start paying off. I had a drought of 3 years from '02 to '05 but I'm coming off my best season ever and next year will be better. Nothing makes up for time on the water. |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Heard of a guy in MN that fished for three and a half years with no luck. Fished a medium amount of time with friends and guides. From what I know he knows how to fish and knows where they should be during weather and times of the year...etc. etc. After 3.5 years he broke his streak with a 52". Not sure I woudl want my 50" that way but that is a good way to break a cold streak! |
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| here is a perfect example of thinking outside the box...so it's November...water temps are 40 degrees...where do most musky guys look for muskies...deep hard breaks? probably...how about shallow soft bottom flats? not many....if there is one thing I have learned time and time again the past 2 seasons...muskies can and will be anywhere, anytime, any water temps...CPainter and I boated 6 fish today...we could and should have had a couple more...raised...easily 25 fish in 7 hours..and not where i bet 98% of musky guys were fishing for them in the area....
If that triple X you were throwing all day isn't working...or that deep break, or those shallow weeds...throw something else or look where you don't "think" they might be...muskies can and will be anywhere, anytime and will hit just about anything...and hey! EA, I had one hit a glider today! of course it didn't get hooked!!! 
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | As SVL says, olny rule in Muskie fishing:
There are no rules.
Break any you hear, just to see what happens! |
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Posts: 89
| Your wife wants to go out on the water with you???!!! That's the best catch of 'em all.I had a dozen, a PM and some great days with friends out there and I'd trade places with you.Mr. Magruter, you had a VERY successful season. |
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Posts: 389
Location: Corning, Iowa | We had the best vacation ever this year. My wife and I took a grandson to the Goon. Just to watch him, and all the great sites, we saw, were worth the trip. You don't see any moose, or linx, in SW Iowa. We caught alot of fish, nothing huge, but respetable.If you don't have a good time, and put too much pressure on yourself, it's no fun.Just keep trying,it will come. Have fun Doug |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | Now that my season is over, i've had the last few days to reflect. I've fished with some great people, had many great conversation, and learned more than I thought I would in the beginning of the season. I've met and fished with over 13 people from the boards this year. I'd say that out weighs any fish I could have caught. Next year i hope to maintain my learning curve, met some new people and fish with the old ones. As Jeremy said, it's not about the fish.. ..It's about the experience. |
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Posts: 3926
| Seems to me you have everything it takes to be a successful muskie dude. You'll do just fine in the long run. |
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| Magruter
a couple thoughts
Muskies, maybe more so than any other fish I have chased, are on or off.
Last year I went to Andy Myers Lodge for a week of guided days and caught zip. Saw 27 one day not bites
this year I went to Andy Myers Lodge for a week of guided days and caught 8
Also, fished 3 days on Vermillion and the second day I caught 2 muskies over 50 inches in three casts. you just never know.
Both years I was out on prime waters with people who know the water and what was working then. One year was with the right conditions and the other wasn't. Oh not to forget, I learned a lot the first year at Eagle and hooked most of those fish this year on the eight. They like to hit at the boat on Eagle.
Keep on trucking |
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I understand it's fishing...