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Posts: 105
| I am headed out to the Chip for opener and i am curious as to some pointers? For some locations i am thinking that bays adjacent to the main lake might be the best bet if not then main lake bars and such. For some lure options i am thinking french bucktails, walk the dog tops, and glide baits. If anyone has thoughts on this or if i am missing something the chip regulars know, some advise would be helpful.
thanks |
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Posts: 32927
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | As you are probably aware, it's been pretty cold up in Northern Wisconsin lately, so the water temps will be cool. Look to warmer bays and wood, that would be south facing bays and structure. Twitch baits in 5" and 6", and the lures you mentioned would be effective. Big Chip guys? |
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Posts: 691
Location: nationwide | bigbrit,
When you say you are headed to the Chip for the opener I would think you are talking the walleye opener this weekend . . . . . . but when when I look at your bait types it seems you are talking the muskie opener. So not knowing which "opener" you are talking about I will forward what I will be doing for both the walleye opener and musky opener.
For this weekend we will begin in water over 12 feet deep with jig and minnow combos. We will concentrate on areas adjacent to the original river channels in snaggy areas with brush and stumps. We will also probably try a few out of the way cribs as well. The winds are supposed to be 10-15 m.p.h. tomorrow so that may hinder us from spending time on a few of our "standard" spots. If it warms up nice we will probably take a run into a few shallow bays to see if the crappies are active but I am thinking they will be staged out from the bays in deeper water yet. If you fish in the evening find gravel shorelines and throw original floating rapalas for walleyes. With the bag limit 3 walleyes per angler I am hoping to be limited out by noon so we can go chase some pike in the shallows, we'll see.
For the muskie opener the baits you describe are a good starting point. My season starter lures are a 6" crane bait, Cobbs small drop belly glider, Wildes skinny 8 bucktail and a homemade topper. For areas I will head into the shallow weeds adjacent to or in spawning areas and work my way towards the main lake until I make contact. Where you find fish will be determined by the weather in the next few weeks.
Hope this helps a little.
Corey Meyer |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | I prefer Colorado or Indiana blades on the Flowage, especially if you are fishing the dark water of the East side.
Don't overlook topwater, I had a huge fish up last year on the second day of the season, this 50lb. class fish was pulled out of a bay that had a lot of wood and weeds in the area. She followed a small globe.
If the bigger mid-lake bars have weeds on them they will be holding fish, also.
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Posts: 105
| thanks alot for some of the pointers given. i am a minnesota muskie hunter, i do spend some time on holcombe flo. WI. but have never been to the chip. this should help out. thanks for the walleye tip as well, not going to chase them this time, but will keep that in mind. |
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| Holcombe and the Chipp are very similar bodies of water both being Chippewa River flowages. I have found the same types and colors of lures and the same types of areas produce on both waters, however you can troll on Holcombe if you like. |
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Posts: 105
| i am using bright colors for holcombe, orange and red most of the time, these are good ideas for the chip? |
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Location: Hartford Wi | Ok colors, But I like the black w/ Bright green bucktails on the chip water temp might be a issue early just a thought. |
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Posts: 105
| yep, if this keeps up it might be more like a fall pattern if anything.  |
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| The water temps are way above what they are normally at this time of year. That's a good thing. The fish have already spawned once and we have seen them make another return to finnish up. The fish should be very active by the time the opener comes around. I would bet on topwater right away. Try to stay away from any walk the dog style topwater as you will miss more than you catch on the Chip for some odd reason. Small globes and toppers will be your best right away. Also try Northland spinnerbaits in the lime green color with lime green blades. Big game twitchbaits and crane baits are also good right away. If you use gliders, try smaller ones to start out with. The water temps are in the mid-fiftys to sixty degrees. I'm sure they will cool down some this week, but not too much. This warm water will really help activate the muskies. If you need anything more give me a call at 612-839-1227 and I can help you out.
Ty |
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Posts: 105
| thanks ty, i will get ahold of ya before the trip. |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Hit the east side, especially the river arm early in the musky season. A few might get pi$$ed at me, but make derned sure you hit Shear pin bar. |
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