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Posts: 251
| If you were choosing a week in July to fish the NW angle LOTW which would it be? The dates are for 2014 but are typical for any year.
I was really wanting to fish the summer pattern after they have moved from their spawning locations. I was also concerned with lack of seclusion and pressure, possibly form the MH school which if it is at the same time next year will be 12th-19th. Post your thoughts as well.
First Week of July (June 28-July 5): Probably to early for summer pattern?
Second Week of July (July 5-12): Maybe to early for summer pattern?
Third Week of July (July 12-19): Competing with MH school and more crowded/pressure?
Fourth Week of July (July 19-26): crowded/pressure?
Last week of July (July 26-August 2): early bloom possible? |
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Posts: 2064
| Most years fish will be out of spawning areas by June 28th, any of those weeks could be great. The first week you'll very likely have fish in transition (which I like), points, islands outside of spawning areas will likely be productive, but there will be some fish heading to main lake stuff too. Pressure is the last thing I'm worried about when I'm pulling the rig to LOTW. I'd be happy to fish any of those periods, the whole month of July can be good - picking the middle 5th-26th range will be your "safest play" |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I've only been there a couple times so not an expert but i agree w Justin from what I know so far... this year tho i am glad we moved our week back to the end of july w the late spring/spawn things seem to be running 2-3 weeks behind everywhere!
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | timhutson1 - 6/17/2013 5:12 AM
First Week of July (June 28-July 5): Probably to early for summer pattern?
Second Week of July (July 5-12): Maybe to early for summer pattern?
Third Week of July (July 12-19): Competing with MH school and more crowded/pressure?
Fourth Week of July (July 19-26): crowded/pressure?
Last week of July (July 26-August 2): early bloom possible?
like Justin said the whole month can be great. The last 2 seasons I have been up around/or on the Fourth and action was fantastic. We maybe weren't seeing as many 45+" fish as other parts of the year, but had enough cracks at bigger fish to feel like it real wasn't too early. Also probably is the best time of year to get the most overall action, wasn't uncommon to see 20-25+ fish a day in that early part of the month and the pressure is without a doubt lighter. The other part I love is the longer days...you can easily fish with some semblance of light until 1030 at night early in the season, to me thats awesome....
as far as mid month..Yeah, it seems to get the hit the hardest then for any point in the season. I was a little disappointed last season to a degree regarding the week of 14-21.I had plenty of spots to keep me busy but.. I definitely knew I had company all week between the MH school and several other MI groups being up that week. I can remember at one point being out in the middle of Bishop's Bay and seeing 8 other boats chucking baits in my line of sight. Again, not the end of the world, but you just don't have to even deal with that in other parts of the season.
End of the month...bloom to me just is never a factor. If it does pop up it is always moving and usually only in certain small sections. I wouldn't think twice about that being a factor for a trip.
I'll be back up in 10 days or so for 2 weeks...it looks like the weather has settled in nicely over the past few weeks and the future forecast looks good/normal. Not as hot as the last few years but they aren't getting the heavy rains anymore we are getting down here. can't wait!
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Posts: 581
| Agree with the comments above. As to fishing pressure in mid-July, like Brian said, you'll know that you're not alone and there will likely be boats fishing the "known spots" that you might want to hit. But like Justin said, fishing pressure doesn't need to be a deterrent. If you're willing to "get off the beaten path", there are endless spots and areas to chose from which aren't getting hit.
Bloom can become noticeable anytime once you get into mid-July and usually does by August. But again, it shouldn't be any kind of deterrent. Wind moves it around and spots will often clear out in short amounts of time. I've been coming up since the mid/late 90's and even when we've encountered it at its worst (late August trips), we haven't had trouble finding clean areas and we've had some great fishing. We've found that our best spots will usually produce, bloom or no bloom.
A nasty cold front early in the season could potentially shut things down to a greater degree, than say, bad weather during mid-July. So, if you wanted to hedge your bets, as Justin said, mid-July is probably the safest choice. But then again, we've done pretty well on late June/early July trips. I really don't think you can make a bad choice. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | They are bitting pretty good right now!
Can vary greatly depending on weather and water conditions.
Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 251
| I see most people saying that anytime is a good time. I know I cannot predict the weather and that will be the biggest overall factor. Just figured I would control what I can. I appreciate everyone's advice so far, it is helpful.
I also see on the pull that it seems like everyone is choosing the 3rd and last week of July. I am curious why people are choosing those weeks (and not the week in-between). If you more people wouldn't mind weighing in, I think it would be helpful to me. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | I didn't weigh in previously, but we chose 3rd week because of the impending full moon on the 23rd or whatever it is, and also to (hopefully) let the water temps rise a bit more toward summer peak, yet avoiding the potential bloom of late July/early Aug as best we can guess. |
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Posts: 251
| That raises a good question. How much will you all use the solunar calendar when planning a trip? Will it actually change the date you plan on going?
Propster- thanks for the reply |
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Posts: 2064
| when I'm going to LOTW ..no - Doug J already posted the two biggest factors, you are over thinking this - pick any of the weeks and hope you get stable weather. Biggest fish in my boat and the biggest fish I've ever seen on LOTW were end of June.. end of June first two weeks of July are a great time if you want to catch 5-6 fish a day many will be in the 36-44" range but you'll have shots at big fish.
Edited by IAJustin 6/18/2013 11:01 AM
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Posts: 270
Location: brooklyn park mn | I personally like 1st week of july. Have had some good trips during that week span. But will plan my trips based on musky schools like u are worried about. I don't like pressure even if it is a few boats in an area. I can do that in the cities and am not going to canada to compete with a school. Some are polite but some may not be and have had people cut me off on good spots like I was in the city. Took the fun out of the secluded vacation I like. As for moon phases I prefer full and new but not overly concerned about it anymore as weather has been key factor in fishing patterns. Cold fronts can shut fish down fish for few days on trip and I would have done better on non fullmoon or new moon trips with stable weather. Plus not as pressured on non new or full moon week trips in my opinion too. The school would be a turnoff for me if worried about pressure. U can always find a place to fish on lotw but if u spot a hawg and are hunting it for the week I prefer no musky schools the week I go. |
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Posts: 251
| That is much of my concern. I am not necessarily concerned with how much pressure will effect my fishing but also the feel of seclusion on the trip as well. If we are talking about pressure is the 4th week that much better than the third when the muskie school is going on or is it just slightly better? How about the week before the school, slightly or more dramatically better?
I think I have ruled out the week the school is going on, at least for now.
Again, I know I am probably over thinking it but it will help me feel better about the rest of time and money I put into this trip knowing that I did everything I can to plan the trip. |
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Posts: 2064
| the thing about the angle is there is only x amount of space for lodging...most lodges are full the entire month of July. I don't think there is a big difference... 20 boats from a school spread over 200,000 Acres (rough size of area I fish) with 2,000 islands/ rock complexes to fish? Sandy's is full of muskie boats all of July.
Edited by IAJustin 6/19/2013 10:39 AM
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Posts: 251
| Thanks, that is what I wanted to know. |
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