|
|
Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | My fiance suprised me with a guided trip with Dave (Musky Stalker) in November for my birthday! This is my 1st year actively persuing 'skies. Is there any advice for spots on West Battle? My folks live on the east side; never really been on the west side. I've tried the break from the access past Sunset's, the inlet by Battle View, and the cabbage on the east side of south point. No follows... No nothing so far this year since opener. I sure would like to boat at least one fish before my outing with Dave.
I live in the south metro and have been hitting up the lakes around here too (Minnetonka, Orchard, ect...) and no luck here either. Am I doing something wrong? It try to find the cabbage and work it with bucktails, prop baits, walk-the-dog baits, jigs, ect... NOT ONE FOLLOW ALL SUMMER.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated 
Sorry for the rant and it's pretty much 2 questions in 1, but I've been trying really hard and spend more time than I should at work googling muskys, but I'm eager to learn!
Edited by nocturnalmotors 8/9/2011 2:23 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 13
| Sounds like my first year chasing musky. The first thing you might want to try is to stop calling them 'skis. Apparently that scares them away and it also annoys other musky anglers. Follows will come and so will fish. The best advice I can offer is to keep it simple. Concentrate your efforts on just a few baits and work on your mechanics with said baits. I'm certainly not one to give advice on mechanics and technique but you can search the forums here and find some great info. As far as spots are concerned, deep weed edges are a great place to start. When fishing metro, "same-old same-old" is not going to cut it. These fish have seen thousands of 10's and big plastics. This has been a tough year for a lot of us so remember "persistence pays" (or pains? I forget which it is.). Good luck! P.S. I'm sure someone will holler about having proper release equipment and also be wary of those water temps. If you don't know...ax somebody! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 572
| You may want to talk to some of the tackle stores, etc. For example, I found the following doing a search.....July 29, 2011 -
"We are finding Muskies around 10 to 20 feet of water on West Battle Lake.
To get the latest, stop in or give us a call at Ken's Tackle - 218-495-2895."
I would guess others will suggest fishing the deep weed lines, drop offs, etc. Of course, the time of day may have some effect. I've heard moon rise and moon sit are some of the best times to fish. You may want to consider fishing with smaller baits.
Sounds like you are lucky to look forward to fishing with Dave.
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2089
| Clear water.....boating traffic.......fish at night. The only daytime fishing would be on overcast days. 10-20 feet??? On that lake, I wouldn't have the boat in less than 25'. Bomb cast and cover water. The fishes strike zone can be huge on clear water. Work baits quickly and erratic, looking for a reaction strike. Good luck! |
|
| |
|
| wait untill september, its been way to hot to have good musky fishing....... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 132
| I def agree with Mos, I am in a similar situation having this be my first year really going after musky. I have done decent, but I have been in the same situation, thinking I will never see another fish in my life. I've noticed with these fish you just have to keep at it and find something else that is fun about fishing, being outside, having fun with your fishing partners, stuff like that. Eventually you'll get something to eat. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | Thanks for the replies, guys. Seems no fish are biting lately. Trolled raps for pike last night on McMahon and nothing either. I do enjoy getting out though! I'll just keep on keeping on.
On the comment of making sure I have the right equipment, I sure do. Long needle nose, hook cutter, large net, jaw spreader, ect...
Thanks guys! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 311
Location: Ontario | One tip I can offer is to get out with somebody who knows what they're doing and has spent lots of time on the water you fish regularly. Pay for someone to take you out I guess, I but I'm thinking more like striking up a conversation with another boat on the water or at the ramp and going out informally at a mutually convenient time. Offer to pay the day's gas, bring refreshments etc. This might be as simple as joining a local fishing club. You'll learn more in a couple hours by being in the boat with somebody with experience than you will by using all other methods combined. I did this for a young guy the other wknd who's been having trouble this season too. It's rewarding to help others and there are still guys willing to do it. They don't have to take you around to all their A list spots (I didn't but you will get lots of other good information to use, ie: pace of fishing, types of areas, presentations that work, time of day etc etc. If someone approaches me in a nice way and tells me they're having trouble getting started I'm more than willing to give them some general direction. You'll find it much more rewarding to learn a lake and have success by doing it under your own steam, and gathering information by sharing a boat with another fisherman is a a good way to get a kick start in the right direction. Then branch out form there on your own. If you've got your own boat, offer to take yours and invite the other party along. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 79
| Nocturnalmotors,
You can send me a pm and I can give you some ideas. I am very familiar with the different waters you mentioned.
Edited by ande 8/10/2011 9:27 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | Stick to a smaller lake and fish it and only it. Learn it inside and out. It's only a matter of time before you figure something out. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Its been a tough summer for me in the way of fishing time. My Dad passed away and, like so many other people, summer is just plain busy. However, I have still been catching a lot of fish when I have been on the water and have had only one outing all year when I didn't at least see a Muskie. No big secret. I'm just using spinner baits and going into the cabbage and rocks after them.
My advice is to stop fishing over the weeds and cover and start fishing deeper into or directly on top of the cover. I'd recommend the following:
1. Get yourself a couple of CJs, Rad Dogs, or Grinder spinner baits. The mid-sized 2-4 oz spinner baits have been best. In your case, natural perch colors should be best on West Battle.
2. Sharpen the hooks to a good point.
3. When casting, let the lure drop down so you are making contact with the tops of the weeds or rocks. You want to occasionally feel the lure hitting something. If the lure is running to high up, you might as well go home.
4. When you get a strike, wait just a second before setting the hook so the fish can close their mouth. Set the hook to fast and you will often pull the hook right out of their mouth.
While I have not been getting many follows lately, I have six good fish boated in the past two weekends fishing northern MN lakes. My shoulder is actually quite sore from fighting fish.
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 311
Location: Ontario | See, just like that.
Very cool of you, ande. Good luck to both of you guys out there. And good advice from djtao and herbie. Spinnerbaits are much better at ticking cover with than bucktails, an easy lure to fish and an easy lure to get out of the fish by yourself. And I agree that heavier ones work well, 3 to 4oz. Troll 'em too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | When you're fishing lakes like that and you can see the submerged weeds then you are to close. I think back to my rookie years and like many I needed that visual aspect where I could see the structure. I think that's probably common mistake.
Also when your boat is over deeper water doesn't mean you have to fish deep. It may only take 10-20 yds to go from 7' to 20' but that's nothing for fish to slide out.
As others said keep it simple. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | Targa01 - 8/10/2011 11:45 AM
When you're fishing lakes like that and you can see the submerged weeds then you are to close. I think back to my rookie years and like many I needed that visual aspect where I could see the structure. I think that's probably common mistake.
Also when your boat is over deeper water doesn't mean you have to fish deep. It may only take 10-20 yds to go from 7' to 20' but that's nothing for fish to slide out.
As others said keep it simple.
Not if he is fishing alone and is casting parallel |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | For some reason the fish seem to be holding closer to cover this year. It seems to help if one can get the lure closer to the fish and into their strike zone. Sometimes it seems one has to invade their personal space. That is where more weedless lures like spinner baits come into play. They are easier to get down into the strike zone and one can smack the cover without hanging up every time.
One simple way to get your lure down is to look at the depth finder for the tops of the weeds and simply let the lure fall about one second for each foot. (Heavier lures typically drop faster than lighter ones though.) So, if the top of the weeds are down seven ft, then you'd simply let the lure drop six or seven seconds when the lure hits the water. But keep in mind that the fish will often times hit while the lure is dropping so you need to be ready. Stop the lure with your thumb at the end of the cast, let the lure hit the water, and then engage the reel. Don't wait until the drop time is over before engaging the reel. One can get an awful rats nest that way. Been there. Done that. 
Good luck.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | ande, you've got mail.
Thanks so much guys! I'll use some of the tips the next time I make it out. I realize this isn't safest time to be boating these fish, I've shifted focus to other species at the moment. With the cooler weather we've been having, maybe we can get those temps down.
Bummer, I noticed I just missed this month's TC Muskies Inc. meeting. I hope to get to next month's. I need to get out and mingle amongst the crowd. I recently got out of motocross to persue a safer hobby. MX has a pretty tight knit, helpful community; it appears the muskie crowd is just as helpful judging by the replies...
I'll be up at Mille Lacs the last weekend of the month, maybe my 1st muskie will come from there?
Edited by nocturnalmotors 8/10/2011 2:42 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | dtaijo174 - 8/10/2011 2:08 PM
Targa01 - 8/10/2011 11:45 AM
When you're fishing lakes like that and you can see the submerged weeds then you are to close. I think back to my rookie years and like many I needed that visual aspect where I could see the structure. I think that's probably common mistake.
Also when your boat is over deeper water doesn't mean you have to fish deep. It may only take 10-20 yds to go from 7' to 20' but that's nothing for fish to slide out.
As others said keep it simple.
Not if he is fishing alone and is casting parallel
Many patterns and approach options; just throwing out one way that's helped me and then I adjust for the day if required. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 582
| i have been fishing for muskies for a long time. i haven't caught one either all year. don't feel bad |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2383
Location: Chisholm, MN | I just think timing is the key. You need to skip the mid day stuff and fish early morning and evening. You can catch them in mid day hours but your chances are way better in low light or dark. Generally speaking |
|
| |
Been fishing all summer. Nothing. Tips?