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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Myself and a few others from this board had some great action from shallow fish when most muskie anglers were working the deeper water this fall. I got a couple 44 and a 39.5 working shallower water. The deeper water bite seemed to be slower than normal and I moved into the weeds and weed edges to see if they were in there. I wish I could have gotten out more because it was working. Suckers were catching them but a bunch of baits were showing fish.
Why this worked this season I don't know. I do know I will be more versitile next year when the deeper fish don't show up in the net. This was my learning experiance for this season, I always fished deeper water in Fall.
What was your new or rewarding pattern for 2006? |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | Shallow fish defintely surprized me this year. Had the opportunity to fish with others from my club and learned a lot from them to. Also put in a lot of time on the water myself. My biggest advances this year came in realizing where I need to start at what times of the year.
This being my first chance to fish prime waters all season I learned so much I can't even begin to tell you. Some of it's in my blog and some of it is in an encoded notebook locked up in a fireproof safe 
Can't wait for next year! |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | I learned that when trying to balance FAMILY and FISHING.... it gets a lot easier when you can take the family fishing.
I can't wait for 2007! |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Honestly... The biggest thing I learned this year was that it's just fishing and to enjoy it regardless of successes or lack thereof. Although it took some deep reflection while sitting in the tree this past deer season to realize it.
My 06 season started off on a wrong note at the boat landing on opening morning and got only worse from there and 6 months later I personally had one of the worst seasons for size of fish in recent memory or since I've been keeping some hastily scribbled records. As the season passed I put so much pressure on myself that it got to where I didn't even enjoy being out there, and that's just not right. Weird year, when I had peope in the boat they were getting fish but it seemed that I just couldn't get it done myself? Just one of those things I guess.
So what I learned is to lighten up and get back to settling down, stay focussed and let it happen and not try to force it and just enjoy being out there.
Additionally I also learned my wife knows some pretty fowl words...LOL In late June she lost the biggest/heaviest WI fish I have seen in the past 20 years, nothing she did wrong it was just one of those things.... If she said "Sh*t that f******g fish was huge" once she said it 50 times over the next week.
I also learned that my Optimax is much friendlier to my pocket book at the gas pump then my old EFI was, that's a good thing considering fuel prices.  |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | My taxes didn't go up! |
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Posts: 2089
| 1.Don't leave fish to find fish.On certain bodies of water, it will pay dividends to keep fishing the same areas and when the window opens......Jump!
2.Muskies are dumb and so can be muskie fishermen/women.Me incuded.
3.A 22" smallie fights a lot harder and longer than a 50lb. muskie.Hmmmm.
4.After one gets done re-inventing the wheel, leave the dance with who brought ya.
5.Muskies eat what they want, big or small, when they want. Be on the water when they "want".
6.A strong NW wind can swing a XX 30' off target and hit a motor perfectly on the cowl.Guess he was too close.
7.Even running a 4-stroke is expensive when gas is $3 a gallon.
8.If there's enough water for them to swim, then there's enough water for them to eat.
9.Big open water has it's own intrinsic beauty.
10.Big waves can crush your equipment, but not your spirit.
11.Mark's Prop Shop in Stacy,Mn. ROCKS!
12.Prepare to catch the biggest fish in the lake.Ya never know.
13.Some resorts are only in it for the $$$ and have no clue about customer service.
14.The BUSINESS of muskie fishing is a pie.Lots of pieces to go 'round, so everyone can chill.Competition is good, high school "games" are not.
15.Go the extra mile, even when it's painful.Literally and figuratively.
16.Cancellations can whack the budget.
17.Running water and bathroom facilities are luxuries that shouldn't be taken for granted.
18.Aluminum props get dinged really easily.
19.It's just a fish.An incredibly magnificent fish, but still a fish.
20.Big baits moving really fast can illicit a response when nothing else will.Doesn't mean they'll eat though.
21.Netting a fish for someone else is more fun than catching one myself. Most of the time. Still need my fix now and again.
22.There are a lot of kids enjoying the outdoors. This bodes well for the future. All won't be lost to the video game generation.
23.Don't stress about fishing pressure, just fish.
24.A boat is kinda like a big bobber when it has no power.Just bobs in the waves.
25.9' rods make an" 8" easier when the boat is sitting atop a 3' wave.
26.Boat control is as important as line.No boat control and you might as well just throw baits at 'em from the bow or use a slingshot.
Just a few off the top of my head.I'll have to think about this one.
Steve
Edited by Steve Jonesi 12/15/2006 7:34 PM
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Posts: 3918
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Edited by Ranger 12/18/2006 12:49 AM
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Posts: 85
| Steve,
Dude! You forgot the most important lesson, at least the one I learned with you. Check all terminal tackle!! Split rings can be a tear jerker!
October 5th: Jonesi tells me to keep throwing the white XXX, even at dark, going against some of the traditional thoeries of using a dark bait at night for a better profile. His logic was : "I like the white on the full moon period, it's worked for me before." October 6th: Shamuskie is caught on the white XXX.
My lesson learned............I don't know 1/100th of what he does. Knowledge and experience are things to really be appreciate of! When someone offers advice LISTEN!
Opener weekend I lost a nice fish, watched it come up and eat the lure, and I failed to drop the hammer on the hookset. Clear water I think I felt like I was watching a fishing show and not fishing myself. Needless to say, there was not a whimpy hookset the rest of the year.
Sharpen hooks, often........
Ready to learn more next year.
Chris |
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Posts: 5874
| I learned it sucks to be boatless for nearly a full season!
Thanks to Tuffdaddy, Extreme One, Howie, Wade, Chris Champagne, and the Posse for the rides. Every single day on the water was great! |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Well, Mike, everything I learned was new. Nobody knows that better than you, because you and Joel were there right at the beginning. Yikes, I was really lame. Still lame, but not quite as bad I hope. The coolest thing I learned is if you show some real interest in catching and learning about muskies, there are people willing to help, even if you're pretty lame.
Thanks to everybody. I hope I've made my feelings known to those of you who helped. I'm pretty sure you know who you are.
I also learned that if you have a drink with everybody at your first highly exciting M1st outing, you get even lamer. Sorry about that. Next time I'll be less excited about the people, and more excited about the fishing. That will probably be a good thing for those of you who stuck it out with me until the end those couple nights.
Kevin
The Plan II, The Evolution Continues |
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| I learned to make sure to hear the click when your wheel jack is deployed. I lost 6 prime weeks of the season by nearly cutting off my big toe from a collapsed wheel jack, ouch.
Merry Christmas, Murph |
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Posts: 361
Location: In the slop! | When fishing on the shield, to check the weeds and the rocks, each and every day. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | I learned that Musky fishing sucks and that I seem to have a mental disorder because I enjoy it. I learned that people who dont fish for muskies like we do, really just dont get why we do it. Most of all I learned how to have fun and not put the pressure on myself to catch fish all the time.
Also I learned the summer season is too long and the fall season is too short, and that my grades really will affect my future and that I need to get out of the river sometimes and get into a book every now and again!
Mike |
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| I learned to put the planer boards way, way back there on clear water systems
I learned double colorados on anything catch more fish |
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| i found out cats have claws. there hard to harness.. poodles are only good in black.. as for baits. they just dont snuggle up like my wife who threw me. out for spending more on baits then her. the good thing its only 6 more months till season opener |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Bulrushes and topwaters or buzzbaits at dusk. Like Murph says, throw right into em.
Murph- Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you are better- Thankful that it wasn’t worse.
Steve, I’ll be passing along some of your comments.
Jason- Just bought a small place on Leech for the kids and wife for more fishing time together.
You are right.
Mark- right on- I just enjoy that time on the water and learn even when I don’t catch fish...which was zero for this year. Eau Claire- great place!
Rick- Great to talk to you this summer on the phone.
Kevin- I was about the same at my first outing too.
Pride- ya gotta hit the books hard now so you can get the job that allows you more time off to fish for the next 30 years. Duh.
Yep.........what Sledge said.
Hanging around MuskieFirst has always been important for me during the season and winter. I have learned much from others who are here. A few of you even sent my son baits when he just started out. Michael learned from that generosity and now passes baits on to his younger brother and others. You don’t get to see it in action, but we do use what we learn here and it is greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas and all the best,
Don |
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Posts: 284
Location: Fishing the weeds | I learned "Set the Hook" then look for the fish. Despite having a great season, I lost 4 fish in a row on "the Pond" including the fish of a lifetime due to this kind of mindfart. But I'm better now! LOL. Pat |
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Posts: 4266
| I learned that it is a bad thing to see a huge fish eat a 10"glider while it is paused just 10-12 feet from the boat, and then turn to swim away with it and you can't see any of the lure. You have a tendency to set the hook a lot harder than you normally would, and by the time my feet hit the deck again, the line was buried so deep in the spool that the fish couldn't take line, and I couldn't reel any in. She floundered up on top near the transom, but I had nobody with me to net her.
That's the way it seems to go. 3 times in the last 2 years. Twice on gliders and once on a top water. When they are big, and hit close, I have to learn to thumb the spool on the set or something so I don't bury the line in the slack that builds up from using a glider and pausing a lot.
At least I get a good look at 'em, but that doesn't count for anything other than another close encounter. |
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| I made up some fluoro casting and trolling leaders and used them all season. I learned that like wire, if you do a good job making them, they'll be good. I liked them and will continue to use them. Also, don't take a freshly-painted jerkbait out on the French River and wonder why a good fish won't bite it at the boat. Even from the deck, I could smell the thing. On tough days, drink lots of fluids, so you can be whizzing half the time. That's when a trolling rod usually goes off. M1st Swap Board: one man's trash is another's treasure. |
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Posts: 785
| I sure did. And that's the old baits that are sitting in my tackle box collecting dust can sure be a trip saver. My biggest fish this year, a 46 incher came on a silver and black Mepps Giant Killer. What's so interesting about that? Well, the Mepps Giant Killer was the very first Musky bait I purchased and used 25 years ago. I believe a lot of us fisherman get caught up in the new hot bait phenomenon that we forget about the baits that worked in the past. Are these old baits any less productive today then they were back then? Some fisherman believe that fish become conditioned and it's the baits that they never seen before are the ones to use. I used to believe this but I'm not sure about that anymore. I believe that it's fishing pressure in general that has changed the musky's feeding behavior and not the lure choice. Also, I'm sure a lot of fisherman may disagree, but I believe through personal experience that the firetiger color is over-rated. I catch tons of pike and bass on this pattern but for muskies it seems that the naturals work better for me. I see far more muskies on cranks/jerks with natural patterns and white bellies than with fire tiger. What do I make of all this? It's the idea to keep an open mind and not to follow the masses. Kdawg |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I think I learned quite a bit this year. Still haven't seen these fish 'follow' as much as advertised though...
Fish all the way through your last cast...sometimes that's when you get bit; additionally, stop just going thru the motions and have a purpose for each cast.
Bigger baits work on tigers too.
Spinnerbaits were waaaaay overlooked in my boat prior to last year.
When you do a TV spot on muskies for a local show, the best stuff gets edited out.
Getting visitors rocks.
Getting a person their first fish or personal best rocks even more.
Fishing w/ your kids is very rewarding and having a family interested in outdoor fun is priceless.
Keeping records comes in real handy sometimes.
Without exception, the folks that I have spent time with from this site are even nicer, more generous and better anglers in person than on-line.
And I learned that if a question is ever asked about which _____ is better or which one of two items to get, the answer is ALWAYS both, yes, you need them both
S. |
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Posts: 229
Location: Plover, WI | A few things:
The people that visit this site and attend the outings are absolutly some of the finest people I've met
I've learned that fatherhood is AWESOME, and that kids grow up way to fast
That I'm not the only one who can cast a lure 50 feet up into a tree
Things that I've been reminded of...
My father is a good fisherman, mentor, dad and granddad
That netting a fish is just as pleasing as catching one
That I love musky fishing, even if I only catch one all year
Mother Nature is beautiful
Mike
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Posts: 20271
Location: oswego, il | Yes, all baits have a time and place. Don't get stuck in a rut throwing the bait craze bait. It sucks not having a boat. 8' rods rock on the 8. Big cranking hadles will keep you from fatigueing with big baits with big drag. |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I learned that there's a bunch of really fine folks who attend MuskieFIRST outings, and that they all seem to like fire ring conversation. I learned that if I think the fish are shallow, sometimes that means go shallowerrr. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | I also learned that when you attend a MuskieFirst outing and you have never fished that area before YOU WILL get plenty of help from the people who do know it. Thats not always the case when you fish strange waters and look for help from others. MuskieFirst has the best bunch of fishermen that share everything so everyone can have a sucessfull fun filled learning experiance. That ROCKS!!!
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Posts: 20271
Location: oswego, il | I also learned to steer clear of the crazy lady! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I learned...
sometimes rods don't float...
It's alot easier to fall out of a boat than you think...
Fish can be in 2 feet of water in 41 degree water temps at the end of October...
Minnesota muskies are born at 40"...
KC and HTrain survive on energy drinks...
When in doubt, set the hook...
some lakes that were on last fall, were just off this fall...
be ready to punt when your gut says it's time to change lakes...
having a small # lakes you know well close to homebase is better than alot you don't know well all over the place...
Old man Rugger serves up the best walleye in the north...
Sled likes cheese in a can...
it's fun going 55 on the water...all the time...
Fish love those big bucktails...everywhere...
I have way too many baits...
Okray likes his morning coffee...
Mr and Mrs Worrall are very gracious hosts...
EFI's like to suck gas...
Don't ask EA to back the trailer up...
If you know fish are there, don't move..they will bite...
drinking at the Beaver Lodge can put a dent in fishing time...
it's great to put people on nice fish...
staying confident and positive has a way of putting fish in the boat...
and last but not least...gliders still suck!
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/19/2006 9:28 PM
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Let's see! For 2006 it was:
1. Stick with what you know the majority of the time. Confidence lures-confidence type spots.
2. If that doesn't work-> experiment!
3. Color does matter! Flash on clear lakes is important.
4. Fishing a specific lure outside it's normal envelope can definitely put fish in the net!
5. Late fall sucker fishing for muskies is an art form!
6. Sometime's they are hanging out/eating suspended in +80' of water.
7. Other times they may be feeding on the bottom in 40' of water.
8. Try to learn something new every day you are on the water.
9. Hiring a guide for the day is a very good thing
10. Having fun is what's most important!
11. Some Northwood's guide's would rather bleed to death before they'd consider calling it a day! Talk about hardcore tough!!!!
12. If muskies were predictable it would be easy.
Have fun!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 12/20/2006 6:12 PM
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Posts: 8859
| I learned a few things:
1. Always make sure there is nothing obstructing the net (like a rod for example)
2. Learning to safely hand-land fish is a good idea in case your boat partner falls in while getting the net
3. Summer is not going to make it as a rescue dog
4. When Brad says "they'll eat around 7:30" and it's 7:30, be ready to set the hook
5. Backing in a trailer looks easier than it is, especially when you have not done it before
6. Conventional wisdom says when the water is in the high 30's, fish will be suspended off the deep breaks. They probably will, but that doesn't mean they won't also be in 4'-8' of water. |
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| Sometimes the only lure that will work is a 3/8 oz plastic grub with a curly tail. Have to match what they are feeding on. |
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Posts: 89
Location: East of muskie country | I learned more things than I could possibly list. One of the most important, keep more than one bolt cutter in the boat at all times. This could save you from 1.Ending the day on the water sooner than expected 2.Loading the boat with a 7 inch crank bait attached to your hand 3.Potentially a trip to the hospital
Also, if you have only one bolt cutter, it's not a bad idea tying a string to it and the boat. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | I learned quite a bit:
I learned how to fish all over again. Thanks Darrell
I learned to slow down and it's not all about fishing, it's about the experience. Thanks Andrew
I learned that well i can't remember what I learned with Mike....
I learned that not all cops are bad guys and vension tenderloin seared is the one of the best meals in the world. Thanks Karl
I learned to fish the wayward side of a wind blown lake. Thanks Eric
I learned not to drink to much the day before a full day on the lake. Thanks shep for not calling up jon and telling the 12 people listening to the morning radio show.... =I learned that there are fish in little Oconomowoc, and found my a new respect for Okauchee. Thanks, Mike
I learned that meeting new people with a few things in common can make for a great day on the water and that Garvin holds fish, Thanks Tom
I learned that Monona at night a beautiful lake and globes are fun to throw when they're tuned right! Thanks Troy
I learned the modified Herbie rig is the way to go!! Thanks, Jeff
I learned that Meon has some big ugly fish, that weather can come from the east and to shut my mouth when the other guy has a follow. Thanks, Steve
I learned that a 34 inch topwater fish makes for a fun day of fishing, Pelican does have some BIG fish! Thanks, T.J.
I learned that having camera is important while fishing any body of water, taking as many pictures as you can, and throw whatever the guy that knows the water tells you to throw :P thanks, Mike
I learned that a tuffy can fish 3 big guys comfortable and free baits have good mojo!!! thanks Sorno
I learned that rubber baits are a must in the tackle box no matter what conditions you're fishing, thanks Andy
I learned to have confidence in what you're doing, be where the you know the fish are and you will catch fish. I learned that all you have to do is pull on the doors in skyview lodge and not to try and untangle a sucker from the outboard in 40 feet of water!! Thanks Jon
I learned that get out when you can, even if it for a couple hours. Time on the water is what going to give you best chance at catching a fish. Thanks Mike
I've learned that there's ALOT of Mike's that fish for Muskies :P
I've learned that it's my first year hitting the water hard. Chalk it up as a learning year, and next year come up with hooks sharpened, drag tightened, lures flying!
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Posts: 434
Location: searchin for 50 | There are a lot of cool dudes on this site All suicks are good baits no matter if they don't do what youwant them to do. Never trust the weather man especially north of Hwy 10.Muskies will bite when they want to not when youwant them to . Fall fishing can just plain suck. Time on the water is well spent. Mille Lacs is some HUGE water.
Edited by Raider150 12/21/2006 2:18 PM
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Posts: 785
| I learned to try lots of spots until I locate fish rather than relying on past experience, that fish can be caught on the calm side of the lake in a big wind, that hellhounds and magdawgs are awsome, and that (even in a 20' deep-V ranger) 7' waves on Mille Lacs SUCK! All in all a good year.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | I learned that when the muskie season is over the shows will keep you pumped up through the off season.
I winterized my rig yesterday and I already am pumped to get to the CHI TOWN muskie show to shoot the breeze with all the great muskie anglers. Can't wait to see all the new baits, rods, products, etc. at the show. The more time I spend at these shows the more friends you run into.
I learned that the muskie world is smaller than you think. Getting to know people from all over the county is very, very cool. There is always a friend that is on fish somewhere and thats just a call away. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I learned that I can't possibly top any of the lists made here!
My learning curve continued to expand in 2006, and I found out what good lakes are in the Metro area and what a fine friend I have there.
and, finally, I learned: |
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| learned that the rhinelander musky league is a great fraternity of good people
that it's worth feeding a youngster time on the water with jonesi
never hang over the outboard in deep cold water
listen to herbie
it's best to be further off the spot when you miss it than on top of it
there are big fish in wisconsin
that there are big wisconsin fish in minnesota
that it's ok to burn time on the water on the golf course if your kids love it
that it's still better to put a 10 year old on his first 32" musky than catch your own 50
it's fun to put a little "vacation" into a fishing vacation
beer nuts, twizzlers, poweraide can keep you alive when you feel like dying
a 20' ranger can be completely out of the water if mille lac decides to get rough
the lake across the street is worth fishing
driving past a hundred lakes is worth it
throw a bucktail at night ... it's not just topwater time
enjoy time with your friends
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| I learned to trust and listen to the guide when I hire one to learn new water. I started to fish like I always do when I muskie fish and the guide told me to use this bait, I told him this bait always works for me. I kept my hot bait on and he caught all the fish that day. I didn't see any on my hot bait. Listen to the guide is my new advice to myself. Always listen to the guide. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | One thing I learned this season is that the Top raiders can be used in all water temps. I had a client that loved that bait and wanted to cast it after dark in late October. I told him it was not by first choice but anything can happen. He had the most action of the three guys in the boat that night.
The pattern was casting from outside the weedline to shore. Cast to shore, bring the bait over inside edge of gravel and sand, over the weeds and off the weed edge. Most of the action came from just as the lure was going over the weeds and sometimes off the outside edge. I guess they were set up on the inside edge and on the weed tips.
Muskies can be anywhere, deep to very shallow. Don't limit your patterns if your not seeing action. This is something I can improve on this 2007 season. |
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| I'm clearly TSTFML. |
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Posts: 8859
| Too Stupid to Fish Mille Lacs??? |
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Learn anything new this year?