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Message Subject: What's working?

curleytail

Posted 6/24/2011 10:48 AM (#504301)
Subject: What's working?

Posts: 2687

Location: Hayward, WI

Seems like we have had plenty of guys talking about having a hard time with the catching this year. I have certainly been one of those guys. Not even getting a lot of follows. Have seen a few, lost a decent one, and that is it. By far the longest I have ever gone without a fish in the boat.

The last few years I have been doing more fishing deep weedlines and out from the breaks, but early has usually been good for finding some fish in the weeds. I've been hitting the weeds quite a bit, without much to show.

I've also done some fishing deep, and seen nothing, but I know fishing deep is usually a catch fish or don't see them scenario.

In short, what has been working for everyone? What kind of lakes are producing the best now. The majority of lakes I have available range from mid clarity to very clear, and about 800-5,000 acres in NW WI.

Just thought we might have a discussion about what has and hasn't been working for everyone out there. I also just realized I should have started this topi on Monday rather than Friday.

Tucker

Edited by curleytail 6/24/2011 10:49 AM

Obfuscate Musky

Posted 6/24/2011 10:52 AM (#504305 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

So far I've ruled out shallow, deep and in-between. I've ruled out Plastics, Jerkbaits, Bucktails, Topwater, Spinnerbaits and Crankbaits. The fish are also not using these structures: Weeds, Rocks, Gravel, Sand, Open Water. I think I'm getting closer to cracking the code.

IAJustin

Posted 6/24/2011 11:33 AM (#504309 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 2068

Can you troll? (see you are in Wisc) Its my least favorite way to catch muskies, but it covers so much more water during a tough bite. 7 of the 15 fish that have come to the net in my boat this year have come trolling. Id keep working deeper than "normal" if you can't troll.

curleytail

Posted 6/24/2011 12:28 PM (#504317 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 2687

Location: Hayward, WI

Justin,
I can troll on about 1/2 the lakes in my area. Most of the 800-1,000 acre lakes I can't troll. The lakes in my immediate area I can troll are deep, clear, cisco type lakes. Never been a huge fan of trolling myself, but I might need to give it a try. Putting fish in the boat would make trolling more fun...

Tucker

IAJustin

Posted 6/24/2011 12:37 PM (#504322 - in reply to #504317)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 2068

There you go, grab a buddy and a 12 pack (dont want to get too drunk) and have at it

It a great way to get "Non-muskie" fisherman to tag along as well. Who doesn't like to go for a boat ride

Try to find suspended bait fish on your locator and do laps around them - good luck!

Slamr

Posted 6/24/2011 1:59 PM (#504333 - in reply to #504305)
Subject: RE: What's working?

Posts: 7090

Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs

Obfuscate Musky - 6/24/2011 10:52 AM

So far I've ruled out shallow, deep and in-between. I've ruled out Plastics, Jerkbaits, Bucktails, Topwater, Spinnerbaits and Crankbaits. The fish are also not using these structures: Weeds, Rocks, Gravel, Sand, Open Water. I think I'm getting closer to cracking the code.

Classic.

2T Critter

Posted 6/24/2011 2:07 PM (#504336 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

What's working? One word-NOTHING. Follows are hard to come by. I need to change my tactics/make some adjustments because what I am doing is not working.

FYGR8

Posted 6/24/2011 4:42 PM (#504353 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

curleytail - 6/24/2011 10:48 AM

Seems like we have had plenty of guys talking about having a hard time with the catching this year. I have certainly been one of those guys. Not even getting a lot of follows. Have seen a few, lost a decent one, and that is it. By far the longest I have ever gone without a fish in the boat.

The last few years I have been doing more fishing deep weedlines and out from the breaks, but early has usually been good for finding some fish in the weeds. I've been hitting the weeds quite a bit, without much to show.

I've also done some fishing deep, and seen nothing, but I know fishing deep is usually a catch fish or don't see them scenario.

In short, what has been working for everyone? What kind of lakes are producing the best now. The majority of lakes I have available range from mid clarity to very clear, and about 800-5,000 acres in NW WI.

Just thought we might have a discussion about what has and hasn't been working for everyone out there. I also just realized I should have started this topi on Monday rather than Friday.

Tucker

It is not just you. Things are flat out tough and those that are suggesting that they are doing well are using that line for business.IMO

anzomcik

Posted 6/24/2011 5:39 PM (#504358 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 532

That is wild, because I am having a great year. My number counts is alot higher this year as compaired to the previous years.

I have found that fishing deeper has been key. It is out of my comfort zone but it is what working for me. We have trolled with out any musky in the boat, lost two fish trolling one was a good musky other was a unseen. All my other fish cames from casting open water.

thrax_johnson

Posted 6/24/2011 6:13 PM (#504359 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 313

Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion

Trolling. Not my fave either but its good to go with whats working. Trolling is definitely working.

Wolfstone

Posted 6/25/2011 9:35 AM (#504395 - in reply to #504359)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 6

When things are this tough I go with what I know. I use lures that have history on spots on lakes that have produced for me. Than I just try to stay with it. Believe it and heave it. This worked for one of mt biggest ever about ten days ago in Vilas county.

Joe Cal

Posted 6/25/2011 4:41 PM (#504426 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 294

Location: Bloomer, Wi

i have been having one of my best years also, and i usally fish deep water, but last couple weeks fishing in the inside edge or right inside the weeds has been the most productive. ripping curly sues or dawgs has produced, as well as throwing the slasher (homemade wtd).

JKahler

Posted 6/26/2011 12:42 AM (#504454 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 1296

Location: WI

Gliders are working for me. At least yesterday they were. Today was brutal, one lazy follow in 13 hours.

COOTMAN

Posted 6/26/2011 8:49 PM (#504556 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

Posts: 1

It appears that the Coot is working! I caught a 48" at 9:30 am on Forest Lake this morning trolling a brown coot and then about 11:00 am I caught a 49.5" again trolling brown coot.

MuskyMan

Posted 6/26/2011 8:54 PM (#504557 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

Bucktails with 6-7" minnow lure bodies have been getting me most of my follows and hits. Wish i could just keep one on. Also have had quite a bit missed on my Mag slow tease.

marine_1

Posted 6/26/2011 10:01 PM (#504562 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 699

Location: Hugo, MN

The Secret to Muskie Fishing . . . Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Musky Brian

Posted 6/26/2011 10:51 PM (#504568 - in reply to #504353)
Subject: RE: What's working?

Posts: 1767

Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin

"It is not just you. Things are flat out tough and those that are suggesting that they are doing well are using that line for business."

ughh...There's plenty of fish being caught in Northern Wi and I have seen quite a few Musky pics from friends in MN as well...That's quite an assumption to make FYGR8, and really an inaccurate one...

I guess I should just cancel my LOTW trip next week...sounds like I shouldn't even bother

Edited by Musky Brian 6/26/2011 10:52 PM

MuskieTom

Posted 6/26/2011 11:17 PM (#504574 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 146

Location: where the fish are...

The musky season has been kinda the same story for me all year, This is really my 1st hardcore season fishing upwards of 2-5 days a week on the water ranging from 4-10 hour days. Started way slow through pre/spawn and post where i could locate fish everyday i went out even had a few follows to start in the 1st couple of weeks. Then things got real interesting just as post spawn started for us, i had days where I lost count of follows and misses mainly on glides and just a particular color. This was really upsetting to me as i was really pounding the water working everything i could think. This time i popped 2 in 2 days and was on my way to having a good season. Then this north wind bull crap started bad, not sure but i feel that the lake system i am fishing is also going through a major change but it could just be me. Last week i located some bigger fish than what i have been seeing but fishing my waters on the weekends is just dumb so after this storm rolls through tomorrrow we will see if I can get some of these bigger girls to eat. Friday was about a dozen up including a few well over 40" and for our system you almost cant ask for much better. I think i just need to learn how to convert follower to eater because in no way shap or form has my season lacked follows.

EvErNoOb

Posted 6/27/2011 1:55 AM (#504582 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 75

Just caught 2, 40+ fish this last weekend on 10in Weagles and Showgirls. The Showgirls weren't big and also produced a couple boat side strikes and follows.

BNelson

Posted 6/27/2011 8:36 AM (#504601 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Location: Contrarian Island

of course fish are being caught...they aren't going to starve themselves but I would agree with the overall feeling that it has been a slow start to the season if you are doing the same things you have in past years...it was a majorly late spring...many great anglers I know in MN and WI really haven't been crushing them for the hours put in...now that's not to say some aren't doing well or even better than they have in the past...if you take the right couple days off and happen to be on the good end of a weather pattern you could do well and then think they are "on" all the time..not the case...i've only put in 65 hours on the yr but have 14 in boat...and I would say for those 65 hours it has been way more "off" than "on"...it's all relative really...it crax me up when I hear someone say so and so is "crushing them"......as Paul Harvey would say....and now the rest of the story.... what's working for me is not fishing much and waiting til they really are "on"....

MN here I come

Edited by BNelson 6/27/2011 8:39 AM

CiscoKid

Posted 6/27/2011 9:05 AM (#504607 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: RE: What's working?

Posts: 1906

Location: Oconto Falls, WI

Haven't been out a whole lot this year compared to the past, but this is what worked recently.

Hawg Wobblers shallow where the thick weeds open up to the more sparse weeds in 6-8’ of water, and then cranks over open water. The pattern seems to change daily.

BNelson

Posted 6/27/2011 9:21 AM (#504613 - in reply to #504607)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Location: Contrarian Island

no way, did you just say shallow and weeds ????

good to hear....

vegas492

Posted 6/27/2011 9:21 AM (#504614 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 1039

Before the fronts moved through Wisconsin, I was getting bit on everything that was thrown. Topwaters, bucktails, jerks, gliders...etc. In three trips we caught a 35, 36 and 37. Lost two 30's, one 48 (heartbreaker), a 37 and a 42. Then the fronts rolled in and our action shut down.

When it picks up, though, I expect good things.

msky3

Posted 6/27/2011 9:48 AM (#504622 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 309

Location: Elgin IL

I guess I should just cancel my LOTW trip next week...sounds like I shouldn't even bother
Hey Brian what are you doing on LOTW ...all the big fish are in Eagle

Musky Brian

Posted 6/27/2011 10:34 AM (#504631 - in reply to #504622)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 1767

Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin

msky3 - 6/27/2011 9:48 AM

I guess I should just cancel my LOTW trip next week...sounds like I shouldn't even bother
Hey Brian what are you doing on LOTW ...all the big fish are in Eagle

Probably just going to do some sight seeing, hopefully catch a few loons on film and get some good sunset pics....maybe get into some hot pike action if we are lucky...

Eagle? No way...Vermilion is the "best" lake in North America!

Herb_b

Posted 6/27/2011 12:09 PM (#504645 - in reply to #504301)
Subject: Re: What's working?

Posts: 829

Location: Maple Grove, MN

We haven't been out much, but we have had good action on small CJs spinner baits every time out. So far that is the only lure that is working in my boat. So far we have fished Minnetonka twice, Leech once, and Forest once, but we have either caught Muskies or had them on every time out. Not one follow on any other lure including topwaters, plastics and crankbaits. Nothing. Zip. Nada.

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