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Posts: 159
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The writer started Musky fishing in N. WI in the summer of 1981 as a 15 year old--small 14 boat, 9.9 motor -no trolling motor or electronics--just used the wind/motor to move around on spots etc.....but used to boat a couple fish a week casting---and see a couple fish just about every time out----albeit the fish were not giants--often in the 30s....it seemed easy to catch/ move fish...
Fast forward to the late 80s/early 90s....still N. Wis--but a teacher now living on the lake for some 9 weeks---better skill level, equipment now, still seeing and moving fish all summer long....topwater seeing a fish just about every day---boating at least a fish a week casting--bigger fish now---into the mid 40s...
Leave the state for a number of years come back in the 2000s, start to fish N. Wi again ---some bigger fish---mid/upper 40s but noticed a lot harder to move/catch fish...topwater bite is much harder now----
By the 06-09 seasons much harder to move a fish/much less catch a fish casting....still in N. Wi---what used to be summers of double digit legal fish is now a fish or two at best...seeing/moving/ catching far fewer fish....no longer seeing fish on topwater....
2010 season move up to N. MN---and for the last couple seasons have caught some really nice fish ...up to 50 inches and a number of fat 48s...just seems much, much harder to move fish casting---going days at a time without seeing a fish--on good water....last season a couple really nice fish--but all trolling not one fish casting...
My question----Is it just me or has it gotten much more difficult to catch fish casting compared to when you started out??---what is scary is now the writer has a great boat/electronics/experience/great local information sources/lots of fish caught casting under the belt....but like pulling teeth trying to catch a fish casting now.
Am I the only one?? Or have you noticed this to?? I'm trying to fight the temptation to think I just really suck at Musky fishing...compared to the rest of you guys lol...... |
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Posts: 12
| Schultzy, it's the increase in pressure. Find a population of fresh fish and they hit topwater like they've never seen it, cause they haven't. Next year, topwater lost its magic but bucktails are money. Next year top and tails slow but gliders out fish both combined. Things never quite get back to what they were, start to wonder if fish are still there, then the fall sucker bite is solid. So they are there. Have seen it on many bodies of water. Not like this everywhere, but I'd say it's a pretty common progression. Anyone agree with this. Can't fish the same bays, reefs, shorelines as everyone else nowadays. Too many dudes. You should name your lakes (S and V) to see what other people have to say specifically....G
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Posts: 32957
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Nope. |
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Posts: 720
| Got to go with Steve on this one. "Nope" and I'll add its just as hard as it ever was. Stupid fish I do love to chase em. |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | It had gotten easier to catch muskies casting compared to when I first started but now it's getting harder again because of the increased fishing pressure. If I had a bigger boat I could get away from the pressure but every time I start to get out of my financial hole thinking I can buy a bigger boat something else pops up & pushes me back in the hole. |
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Posts: 1530
| not harder in this era. years back a charter captain was said could walk on water with 50 fish season on lsc. nowadays its in the hundreds. |
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | I catch a lot more fish than when I started...but im much better now. That said, I get a lot fewer follows than I did even just a few years ago. |
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Posts: 1041
| I catch 'em in higher bulk and larger sizes than in the past. Up in Vilas County.
But, I do see a slight change. My "home water" is Lower and Upper Buckatabon. As a kid I'd get 15-20 follows in 5 hours or so, doing just as you did, wind drifting. All while catching a couple here and there. And there was one particular bait that I used over and over. They loved to follow it, but rarely hit it.
Now that I'm older, I find myself using more "hit" lures than "follow" lures, so my follows are down. Hits are way up, though. And I've taken to fishing a lot of other lakes when the conditions are not optimal for the Bucks. And that has paid off big time.
I have a friend that stays for two weeks on Upper Buck every year. And I think he would say that his numbers of fish, hooksets and follows are all way down from a decade ago, though. I've told him time and time again that the key is to leave your home water and learn other lakes to take advantage of different kinds of positions, but he still hammers away on Bucky.
PM me and I'll share a few of my observations from up there including lakes and weather types. Maybe you can get out of a "rut" and into some really good fishing.
Edited by vegas492 1/13/2014 9:36 AM
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Posts: 2085
| way easier to catch fish now casting than when I started... I started with a 6'6" rod before there was "superline"...trying to control a 16' alum boat with a underpowered 12V transom mount trolling motor.. I'm only 40.. so many on here have been playing this game way longer than me, but you must evolve, lakes change and yes muskie pressure is at least 10x what it "was"......however, like many things in life if you want to get want you have always got, don't change what you are doing  .....these fish have to eat or they die.. they just don't have to eat every day...being at the right place at the right time is what this sport is in a nutshell. |
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Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Nope! On the Niagara River most muskies only see Tubes drifting or Crankbaits trolling, lots of fish never even seen baits cast at them in lots of areas of the river.Todays hi tech equipment more bigger muskies are being caught then ever!
Edited by LarryJones 1/13/2014 10:23 AM
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Posts: 415
| IAJustin - 1/13/2014 10:08 AM
way easier to catch fish now casting than when I started... I started with a 6'6" rod before there was "superline"...trying to control a 16' alum boat with a underpowered 12V transom mount trolling motor.. I'm only 40.. so many on here have been playing this game way longer than me, but you must evolve, lakes change and yes muskie pressure is at least 10x what it "was"......however, like many things in life if you want to get want you have always got, don't change what you are doing .....these fish have to eat or they die.. they just don't have to eat every day...being at the right place at the right time is what this sport is in a nutshell.
I was just about to respond, but you pretty much said exactly what I was going to say. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I would think anyone that has fished Vermillion consistently the last 10 yrs would say it's much harder .. on a per hour basis the guys I know that fish V sure don't catch what they did 5 or 10 yrs ago out there,, same with Mille Lacs... there are many lakes that it is A LOT harder to catch fish than it was 4 or more years ago...that being said other lakes it's easier, no straight answer here imo...it all depends on the lake...MN lakes in general have been a little harder than prime seasons like 07-2010... Ask any guide that fished MN waters last year and most will tell you they couldn't wait for the season to be over.. it was one of the worst ever over there...
that being said it is easier now vs when I startet but that was 20 yrs ago... learn a lot in 20 yrs! ; )
Edited by BNelson 1/13/2014 11:13 AM
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | It should be easier...and THAT has nothing to do with you or the fish IMHO....It has EVERYTHING to do with management over the past 20 years. There are more fish, better quality fish and more options as to where to go fish for muskies. 99.99% of muskie fishermen today are 100% release and it has certainly shown.
Just put the time in and they will come! Good Luck! |
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Posts: 1283
| Ive had more hook ups and follows in the last few years in Northern Wisconsin then I did 10yrs ago. Out of groups of 3 boats and 6-8 guys that used to go up we would be lucky if one guy boated a ski over the week. Now we see or catch multiple fish per boat and we have less guys going. Most the time its just me, my GF and Brother now. |
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| With the use of today's saltwater class reels and such, I am not sure there is too much difference between trolling and casting. |
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Posts: 158
| I believe some of the lakes I fish may have peaked. That, increased fishing pressure and decreased effectiveness of double tens has made the casting bite more difficult for me the last couple of years. |
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Posts: 233
Location: Iowa | I don't think it is harder to catch fish now than when I started. But I have noticed that I don't get nearly the follows I used to. Which I'm guessing is due to increased pressure.
Seems like the last few years the fish are coming up and eating or its nothing at all.
Jeremy
Edited by jwelch 1/13/2014 9:58 PM
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Posts: 175
Location: Alexandria, MN | jwelch - 1/13/2014 9:56 PM
I don't think it is harder to catch fish now than when I started. But I have noticed that I don't get nearly the follows I used to. Which I'm guessing is due to increased pressure.
Seems like the last few years the fish are coming up and eating or its nothing at all.
Jeremy X2 |
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Posts: 8865
| Short answer? No.
When I started at this #*#* ten years ago I went 15 days without as much as a follow. These days I expect to at least have a shot at a fish every time out. My catch rates have gone way up.
Not to discredit what the MN guys are seeing... That's a result of a lot of fishing pressure, and more importantly a fishery that's starting to level off from a peak that will never be seen again. You can blame pressure for that, but a lot of guys started fishing those lakes when the first few year classes were coming up to their maximum size. Those fish grew up in those lakes with no competition for forage, and an entire ecosystem to themselves, during a time when fishing for them was just gaining popularity. The same fish stocked today have 20 years worth of larger muskies out there competing for forage and habitat, and will live their entire lives seeing lures go by all day long every day of the season. I don't doubt that the musky fishing on the popular lakes in MN isn't what it was a few years ago. But what it was a few years ago was not a representation of what those fisheries could sustain long term. Now that those lakes are maturing, and the great unwashed public has descended on them, things are bound to level off. The only answer is new lakes. Stock a new lake for a handful of years, and you are likely to see the same results. As the hordes of people flock to the new lakes, the established populations will rebound. It will not likely ever be what it once was, but the lakes with "the right stuff" will always be good. |
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Posts: 63
Location: Maribel WI | I've been musky fishing for about 15 yrs. I find myself feeling that way too sometimes. I think our expectations get higher and we are not satisfied as easily than when we first start fishing muskies. Also, other things start taking priority, like wife, kids, and that pesky job- so time on the water is limited and not on our terms.
Overall fishing and number of quality lakes is definitely better.
Edited by H2O 1/14/2014 8:34 AM
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Posts: 159
| Greg (HaHa---a rare post--did I read that right 6 posts??? -your thoughts are always most welcome--you should post more----do any of these guys even know you are a former PMTT winner?? I doubt it LOL--I know my N. Wi thesis is valid because we spent so much time fishing up there together---moving and catching fish just about every time out!! Man has that changed on our home waters S & S in the last 20+ years... -and Bill you are right I believe related to my current home water.....pretty horrible casting up there last summer for everyone!
I find it shocking that you N. WI guys almost unanimously agree that its not harder than it used to be....
Could it be Im the only one going back to the 80s as a reference point for N. Wi LOL ???
IM sorry BNelson if Bill is not your first name.....
OH and Greg don't know if I mentioned this---my Nephew caught his first fish casting on my S last fall in 3 seasons casting--a fat 45---and he fishes hard up there and knows what he is doing....he totally agrees that its really hard to move fish up there anymore.....lots and lots of boats casting now in both bays.....
Edited by Storm Strike 1/14/2014 10:25 AM
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Posts: 51
| nopexxxxxxxx |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Fine tuning year-after-year, however...
I traded quantity for quality. That said, over the last three years my catch rate has decreased on average per hour fished, however, the average size of the fish I do catch has increased substantially. So, YES, it has become harder now to catch fish casting versus when I started, but I look at it in a different light; I believe what I've learned over the years honing my decision making skills on the water has increased my success rate when on the trophy hunt now versus what it was back when I first got started. So harder by choice... |
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Posts: 109
Location: Wisconsin River | Kinda depressing reading this. Glad I quit traveling so much. My catch rate and quality has gone up every year for the last 15 years fishing on my home waters most likely due to fine tuning tactics and pounding it at peak times. |
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| I agree, I think since I have started to spend less time on the water and focus on key times and opportunities my success rate has increased. There is less pounding the water to no avail. BR |
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Posts: 1292
Location: Walker, MN | 20 years ago, if I fished for 3 days and boated one 40incher I would have been totally stoked but now it would be disappointing. I wish I would have kept track of all the hours I spent when I first started Muskie fishing. It would be good for a laugh. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Just comparing my fishing to Vermilion,...Been fishing there for 17 full seasons:
First 3 seasons I managed to stumble on to some nice fish, but looking back I was still pretty green.
Then the 4th-11th seasons I slowly figured it out. Fishing alone a lot but still having 2-3 fish days, by myself,....(just wonder how good it would have been with another person in the boat)
Now days On V, it has become a lot harder to catch fish, no doubt Every time I go out I see fish,....Getting them to eat is another story.
When I kept records for 8 seasons the Avg catch was around 42-44"
Vermilion has Peaked...... I'm looking for a better year, this year than last.
Jerome
Edited by Top H2O 1/16/2014 1:43 PM
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Location: north central wisconsin | bullfrog - 1/12/2014 9:10 PM
Schultzy, it's the increase in pressure. Find a population of fresh fish and they hit topwater like they've never seen it, cause they haven't. Next year, topwater lost its magic but bucktails are money. Next year top and tails slow but gliders out fish both combined. Things never quite get back to what they were, start to wonder if fish are still there, then the fall sucker bite is solid. So they are there. Have seen it on many bodies of water. Not like this everywhere, but I'd say it's a pretty common progression. Anyone agree with this. Can't fish the same bays, reefs, shorelines as everyone else nowadays. Too many dudes. You should name your lakes (S and V) to see what other people have to say specifically....G
Hmm... every time I think that, you get in my boat, catch 3 Muskies on a mepps, and walk away like nothing happened.
Having been lucky enough to stumble on/fish a couple really big newly developed lakes, nearly solo for a few years, I saw the very changes nuge speaks of in terms of going from Musky fantasy land, to what is probably 'normal' moving forward. Like G, I don't like normal, so I keep searching for spots/lakes/bites to take advantage of better than 'normal' fishin. As fun as it is to learn new isolated untapped 'pods' of fish locally, I know I need to be thankful for being part of some of the personal/regional peaks that have happened in the past 15 years, and are still happening to a degree.
Edited by Reef Hawg 1/18/2014 2:35 AM
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Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | Yes, more difficult on the Metro lakes. Same as ever when I head North. Pressure plus kept fish and delayed mortality. Way more guys out there now than 10+ years ago. |
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Posts: 13
| I have been musky fishing since 2005, have spent all my time (2 to 3 Weeks a year) on the Chippewa Flowage. The weather has had a huge impact on fishing success in the past 3 yrs. Also the flowage has evolved loosing a good deal of shallow wood cover to the ice flows during the high pool levels kept over the past 5 yrs or so. I know the fish are still in the flowage but tend to not use the shallow spots typically productive in the past. There are always some fish there but they have seen everything and probably been caught a few times and educated. There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of the fish are deep and difficult to reach casting with any efficiency. Amazingly the forage base changed dramatically and the common bullhead has disappeared from the flowage. In the course of a week I will probably get 5 fish make a their presence known and get one. Given the numbers of other people including some with many more days on the flowage than I, I know I am doing better than most. I have gone to making my own lures to give them something new and it has helped a bit. Probably should try new water but there is that comfort level of finally learning my way around. Overall I do think the weather has had the biggest impact over the past 3 yrs and without trolling the major part of the resource is simply not accessible, as much as I hate trolling "it's a drag", that would make a difference on the Chip but then you get into the issues of mortality when you pull one out of cold deep water and release it in virtually hot surface water.
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Is it harder now to catch fish casting vs when you started??