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Location: Northern Wisconsin |
Going to head to a river and fish some spots that aren't frozen up. Anyone have some tips on where to look for muskies this time of year. Its about 15 degrees fahrenheit here in N IL.
Deep/shallow? Current/ No current
thanks, |
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Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Well, deep/current would probably be the natural choice. I think it'll be tough going, though. |
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Posts: 100
Location: W-PA | Deep slow pools would be the ticket as well as any slack water caused by a variety of current breaks. One thing that works well is fish a shallow flat adjacent to deep water if the sun is shinning. Winter river muskies tend to hug the bottom, so your presentation should be within a few feet of there. |
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Posts: 909
| Do you fish here at other times of the year, If so fish the same spots as you would then. If you don't have any luck, head to the deepest spot closest to where they usually are! I found that they usually don't go too far! Hope this helps!
Brian |
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Posts: 1636
| Brian is right. The same spots that hold fish in the summer can and will hold fish in the winter, but these fish usually don't stay put in the same areas for long... my opinion obviously, but you cant argue the fact that some of these fish have traveled over 60 miles of river. Sure the same spots might hold fish year round, but the chances of them being the same fish each and every year are very slim, which is good because you don't catch the same fish over and over again fishing the same spots. Then there is the exception of a few resident fish... those are usually the fat females! With how cold its been, I'd stick with a small swimbait or spring dawg for sure. Good luck and let me know where you find open water... haha! |
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Posts: 909
| I agree with Brandyn too! Don't be afraid to use a Manta or some other type of glider either! Also feeder streams shouldn't be overlooked, chances are good the water coming in is warmer than the river. It's basically a no brainer!
Goodluck Dude....Brian |
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Posts: 1636
| ...#*^@! You told him about the gliders!  Good luck!
Edited by Reelwise 1/28/2009 7:31 PM
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Posts: 909
| Hey Brandyn, I'm really slippin up, ain't I? I must be gettin old!  LOL
Brian |
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Location: New Albany, Ind. | Down here more important than the spot is working the baits slow, slow, and slow. The gliders seem to work good also, cant stress slow enough. seems over last couple months or thru winter they can be about anywherof course I was fishing in small river only 12-15 ft max. Thanks Ron |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Thanks for all the info.
I don't know if i'll be able to find deeper water but the spots that i saw were open had some nice boulders on the bottem 
I'm gonna grab some big reapers and jigs and slowly bounce em around the bottem and see what i get. Not expecting much just glad to cast a little. |
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Posts: 463
| Most of the slack water spots have ice on them by me, but I have been watching them. I would try the above mentioned spots with the above mentioned baits but I would also add trying any of your local dams with some sort of a small twitch bait. Good luck and stay warm. Are you fishing the fox? |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Ya , its the fox. |
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Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI | How'd it go? |
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Posts: 909
| Well, Did you catch anything? |
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Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA | the reapers and jigs are not a bad idea, its all good gliders , big hair jigs with a twister tail is a good choice also like a walleye fishing aproch . look for warm water discharges , underground springs, mid level underwater current breaks not always visible to the eye but by sonar. A old timer that primarally fished cold muskies told me once,Fish mid morning on to mid day fish them slow don't rush take your time and keep your eye on the tv [sonar] he was refering to the underwater breaks . These guys spilled it all thats good. Its good we all want to help and some good points Herb |
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Posts: 909
| fish4musky1 - 1/29/2009 12:00 AM
Thanks for all the info.
I don't know if i'll be able to find deeper water but the spots that i saw were open had some nice boulders on the bottem
I'm gonna grab some big reapers and jigs and slowly bounce em around the bottem and see what i get. Not expecting much just glad to cast a little.
The part about not expecting much is a bad way to look at it! You should fish every cast like you just had a 50er" follow your lure! I really believe confidence in yourself and your ability will make you a better fishermen along with better results! (MY 2 CENTS )
Brian |
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| muskie24/7 - 2/20/2009 7:31 AM
fish4musky1 - 1/29/2009 12:00 AM
Thanks for all the info.
I don't know if i'll be able to find deeper water but the spots that i saw were open had some nice boulders on the bottem
I'm gonna grab some big reapers and jigs and slowly bounce em around the bottem and see what i get. Not expecting much just glad to cast a little.
The part about not expecting much is a bad way to look at it! You should fish every cast like you just had a 50er" follow your lure! I really believe confidence in yourself and your ability will make you a better fishermen along with better results! (MY 2 CENTS )
Brian
Unfortunately the fish don't care how confident you are.
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Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA | True, fish do not care about confidence but its confidence that refects on your efforts and presentation,and we all know persistance is what you need this time of the year. |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | sorry, forgot about this. I fished for a couple of hours and didnt see anything but a few carp hanging out in the warm water discharge. lots of the water was moving pretty fast so made hard to get some good casts without snagging bottem. it was fun to at least get out tho but cant wait for summer ha |
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Herb,
I'm fishing our favorite waters for the next two weeks! Hope all has been well with you. Last year I ended up with some fantastic fish! Last night I was greeted with a bohemouth! She left her calling card on my Big Daddy Jerk bait. A hunk of flesh with scales. I think she misjudged the bait.
Dave |
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| i love hearing about small river muskies, keep your stories and tactics coming, Ive yet to catch one but i get the most action on gliders and twitch baits, with all the timber fishing alot of rubber is very dificult to fish. Share how you fish too, wade, jon boat,canoe? any info is much appreciated |
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