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| What makes a giant musky move up into very shallow water? I'm talking 2 feet or less. These fish are very accessible and therefore probably most vulnerable to our presentations. On the flip side, the majority of seasoned musky anglers neglect to look for them in these extremely shallow locations.
When have you observed big skis in VERY shallow water? Why do you think they were there? If we know what signs to look for, we can avoid missing some "easy pickin's". I've noticed wind or turbid water conditions seem to have an affect... but not sure why? Any ideas? |
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| jlongski,
Wind and turbid conditions would be perfect for muskies to PIN baitfish up in the shallows. And, obviously, warming trends are easy to pattern. The only other thing I can think of is the "digestion theory" but you cant pattern that. Unless you would fish the shallows right after "perfect feeding conditions" [:0].
MUSKY ILLINI
"Oh no! What have I done? I smashed open my little boy's piggy bank, and for what? A few measly cents, not even enough to buy one beer. Wait a minute, lemme count and make sure... not even close"
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| With wind, the water is constantly being mixed and oxygenated. So...every movable living thing will utilize the "fresh" water..so to speak. Plankton is washed into the area, little fish follow, and so forth..right up the food chain.
Turbid water creates less visibility. So.. I would wager that with the lower visibility, it is easier for a musky to slowly work toward food, without being noticed. It's amazing how slow a fish can move to the point it is undetectable by other fish's senses (tank observation..the shiner just sits there finning, and the muskie keys in on it and BAM!!!)
I usually see ski's in the shallows over the second weekend of may...water is still cool, suckers are in the current yet, and fish may or may not be done spawning. After that (on my waters) they are on the breaks or deeper.
steve |
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| Here in the Flatlands, we get to chase muskies right after ice up. Usually the first extended warming trend after ice-out will push numbers of fish into inches of water, hardly enough to cover their backs. Environmental factors (read: availability of forage, favorable h20 temps) are the primary reasons for fish to move extremely shallow.
Bubba
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| Many many reasons have muskies haunting shallows, and I'm talking 12-30" of water for long periods of time. Spawning, travelling, digesting, etc. etc. I've caught my three biggest fish from less than 3 feet of water, and the main reason was baitfish. They were absolutely gorging themselves on these shallow flats/shelves at the time. Much of it has to do with body of water as well, and I fish lakes/res. that ypically show a shallow bite. |
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