|
|
| DougJ made reference to a type of big fish structure he refers to as "concentrators". I believe Dick Pearson refers to similar types of structures as "holding pens". I believe these guys have learned through experience what makes a certain structure more productive than the others. Doug made reference to easy access to deep water as a key element. Is there more to it than that? Also, its one thing to know what to look for in a structure, but it is another to know WHEN to be on those structures. Perhaps understanding WHY a big fish will use these types of structures will improve our structure fishing success?
So... let the speculation begin. Why do you think a Super Fish will relate to a certain structure, especially a shallow structure? To Feed? To Digest? Territorialism? Simply a pitstop within their home-range travel route? Other?
There's gotta be some good theories out there, and I'd like to hear them. Thanks!!
jlong | |
| | |
| Probably all the reasons jlong suggested are valid as to why big fish are on a "concentrator or holding pen". Another question is how long do the maintain their presence there, if undisturber? And, what causes them to move? Do they move if they follow a lure, are hooked and get off? Does boat traffic cause them to move on? And, do weather patterns cause the fish to move from one type of structure to another or to seek certain types of structure?
Or, is the Muskies presence at any one time the result of semi-random movement? Influenced primarily by the movement of the forage base in the lake. That is, the Muskie doesn't have a scheduled "Milk Run". | |
| | |
| Jason I have talked before about my " restaurant theory " wich is probably what Dick and Doug refer too here. I say it's a restaurant as I believe the fish come up on these shelfs to eat and head back down to the depths to relax and digest. My 2 favorite spots have multiple access to deep water and I believe that is what makes them so good. You could probably park on them all day and catch big fish but I have them almost fine tuned to feeding times and hit them here and there and score almost 1 out of every 2 times there. The way I fish I won't hit the same general area no more then twice a week so that would mean I would score once a week. Now you said super fish and I say again I have never caught but maybe 3 fish pushing 40 lbs and all were 54 inches on these spots but over 50 30 pounders tho. [:sun:] | |
| | |
| I think classic structures are nice and classic niches are nice, but after considering it all, I believe musky travel much more randomly than I originally thought. They do NOT NEED quick deep water access to use an area, but if you are in an area where many such quick access areas exist, they will be the preferred habitat to explore. | |
| | |
| Hey jlong,
When I see you at Frank's in July, I can show you where the fish are hiding out[;)] . Who is going to be up there with you?? | |
| | |
| I have fished with Dick a little bit and I think usually when he refers to holding pens they are little spots in a bigger open areas. Often they're the only spot along a stretch that muskies will have to travel through between to areas, like a channel type of area. Since these are in travel areas, muskies will be coming and going through these areas and those holding pen spots will be the real structure in the area so a good majority of the fish swimming through will stop and hold up on these spots for a while. So there are occasions when there are no muskies there and times when they're stacked up. Some of these spots you can simply fish back and forth on and raise different fish on each pass, since fish can and do move in at anytime. I feel it's a matter of experience on which pens are attractive to "superfish" and which are not. At least that's my interpretation.
Ryan
| |
| | |
| Richard could you point that spot out on my map for me???[:halo:]
Musk. | |
| | |
| Concentrators, or Holding Pens, or whatever one chooses to title the 'spots on the spots' one might be familiar with need to be considered as a part of "The big picture".
Lay the map out on the table, look at the structure in the area of a known spot on the spot, then take a look at it on the water, and like as not you will have an area where the fish either stage to feed, are moving somewhere near to feed, or are returning from feeding activity. If one has the window right, that spot may even be an area where the fish suspend, find cover, or otherwise engage in activity other than feeding, usually referred to using our human frame of reference called 'resting'.
The trick is to find the time window/condition when the fish are there, and hit them there at a time on that day when they are likely to be active.
Look at any system, and basically it is nothing but a field filled with water. The problem with dissecting the system is we are blinded by the water.
If one compares the hunt on the water for a big muskie to a hunt for an exceptional big game animal that is a top tier predator, one finds similarities in the situations that create opportunities for the hunter. One needs to know what the predator is eating, where the predator is resting, and position one's self along the way on those paths and areas; all to catch the predator in a vulnerable position. Toss in the fact that we have to get the fish to hit, and the process becomes even more refined. Add to that the fact that we can't even see the predator unless we do everything else correctly by purpose or chance, and you have Muskie Fishing.
Big muskies can be and are ANYWHERE in a system along one of dozens of these possible areas or paths, if looking at an individual fish at any one given moment. I try to locate those areas, pathways, and transitions, and try to match the presentation to the timing/conditions on any given day. I am hoping that by doing so, I will eventually pattern the fish to a workable degree, and then apply that pattern to my everyday on the water game plan.
Once in awhile, as the waters I fish are not exactly overloaded with really big fish, I get an opportunity at an exceptional muskie. Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to land the fish. My goal in doing so is NOT the individual capture, but the ability to, after enough experience, recreate that same pattern and do it again. I think the most important factor after locking in some of the basics and a few of the refinements is simply enough time on the water to be in the right place at that magic moment.
Another nice plus would be choosing a lake or river where 'big fish' are at least not a rarity.
Try this experiment:
Look at the water you are fishing in three dimensional thinking from the side view. Try to see the structure in your mind's eye as you would view any other habitat while on the hunt, and explore it using that mind set. | |
| |
|
DougJ's "Concentrators"