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Posts: 31
| Im heading up to Minaki for the last week of june and im hoping to have a more successful trip then my last. I went the same time last year and we managed to get a couple in the boat, however we had a ton surface themselves and lots that seemed uninterested. I hoping this year i can turn those lazy followers into strikers and im looking for any input that can help me out.
Last year we used primary smaller sized baits such as jakes/squirley jakes, showgirls, phantom softails, and mepps #5's. I really didn't throw cowgirl's or larger sized baits as I had heard that with the late spawn they were not going for big baits yet. Is it a worth it to throw big baits this time of year?
Also, is there any patterns with speed with muskies right after spawn? As in do they tend to like baits slower or faster?
Any suggestions would be great!
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Posts: 1246
Location: Walker, MN | I'm interested in hearing responses too as I haven't fished this area for Muskies in over 18 years and am iching to get back.
Edited by Masqui-ninja 6/9/2014 8:03 PM
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | If you saw and will see lots of fish/follows, I still say a Cowgirl, or at least a Jr Cowgirl, is the highest percentage or best converting tool in the box when it comes to the fig 8. Something about those bigger blades when they turn and lose them momentarily or the vortex changes or whatever it is that triggers them, but they work the best as far as we're concerned. Shallow Invader next best, but you've been trying lures similar to that already. Good luck. | |
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Posts: 2269
Location: SE, WI. | I would suggest that you stick with your 6" reef hawgs, phantoms, small gliders, smaller Bulldawg, Hellkats, and smaller bucktails, and twitch baits, and maybe some slower top water.
With all that deep water in that system, my biggest suggestion would be to start planning trips sometime after Mid July. All your worries would be over on Bait selection!!!
JD
Edited by jdsplasher 6/9/2014 8:54 PM
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Posts: 580
| I used to go on an annual trip with a moderate-size group to Minaki, always the week of the muskie opener. The group was up there for walleyes, primarily, but everyone tried their hand at muskie/northern fishings as well. 7" Suick, 6" reef hawg, giant jackpot, Rapala Super Shad, Mepps #5, and 5/8 oz. reed runner spinnerbaits (basically a bass spinnerbait), all produced some nice muskies year-after-year.
I think you could have some luck with the traditional-sized baits, but the smaller stuff seemed to be a better choice, in my experience. As far as speed goes, in the early season I've always had better luck with stop/go baits. The cooler the water, the more important it can be to be fast and erratic, yet accentuate the pause.
Some really, really nice fish in the Winnipeg River system. This time of year its not rocket science. Find the spawning areas and then work outward from there. Good luck. | |
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | I've fished Minaki and have found that no matter the time of year, size and speed has a lot to do with the activity level of the fish on that given day. If the fish are active or aggressive many times they will take a large or fast moving bait vs. the less active when if your lucky they may take a slower smaller lure or live or dead bait. My opinion is last season they were either still in spawn mode {just browsing} or, you had a great weather condition where you did not move your lures fast enough.
If you have indeed found the fish it comes down to speed and all speeds must be checked, however if they're just coming off the spawn I'd say your screwed. good luck this year. I agree with JD wait till at least mid July. | |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | classic time for a bucktail bite usually....yes, the Mepps #5's will work but wouldn't be my first choice. The first thing out of my box would be double 8's like a showgirl, if not the mepps marabou which is a bit of a bigger profile then pure 5's.... | |
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Posts: 31
| Thanks for all the suggestions, fingers crossed they are ready to go when i get there! | |
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Minaki