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Posts: 136
| Reelwise, there are other ways to target bigger fish then just fishing paticular spots, you can also target them with patterns. The amount of time Mike puts on the water I'm sure he's figured out a few. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I'm curious for those guys that target suspended muskies, do smaller 39" and below muskies suspend over deep water or do they tend to be the larger fish? I know that with Pike, the larger they get the cooler the water they prefer. Does the same ring true with muskies?
Thanks. |
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Posts: 1636
| Thanks... I did not know that Pistol Pete.
MuskySnax,
In some of the places I fish I've raised and caught bigger fish and 38" class fish over deep water casting. Mainly in a panfish forage lake when the pods of bluegills were also suspended. To clarify a little more these lakes are in Illinois so I'm not sure if they count...
Edited by Reelwise 1/25/2007 8:34 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | My best friend Sean Tremblay targeted bigger fish last season by primarilly throwing his 11" gliders of mine and he put more big fish in the boat than he ever had before and his number of smaller fish went down dramatically. Before using his Snax gliders, he was almost always using bucktails and putting a high number of fish in the boat but none as large as the ones that came when he went to bigger slow moving baits.
Are the same sized fish sharing the same areas? Of course but you can definitely use different patterns or specific presentations to reduce smaller fish being caught. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Reelwise, thanks for your input. Anyone else like to comment on the suspended musky question I raised?
My goal this season is to put at least one 50" in the boat and I'd like to maximise my odds by concentrating on areas where the bigger fish will more often be found. |
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Posts: 136
| Reelwise - 1/25/2007 4:33 PM
. Please explain to me how you ONLY target big fish in Indiana, or anywhere in the mid/souther portion of the US. And saying you pull your baits away from smaller fish doesn't explain it.
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I was answering your question. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Obviously some people are having a hard time understanding how I try to target bigger fish.
1. Fish Proven Big Fish Spots during Big Fish Feeding Windows
2. Fish with Big fish lures. I don't use small lures. The smallest bait I throw or have clients throw is probably 7.5-8 inches.
3. If I go to a spot and see 1-5 small fish, under 40, I move and won't come back on those fish.
4. Spending over 200 days on the water lets me know where I need to be during certain times, water temps, or pre/post frontal situations.
5. Don't figure 8 small fish
Most my guys who get in the boat with me know I am going for a big fish, and not numbers of fish. I want clients holding up a decent Indiana musky, not just another cookie cutter 35 incher.
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Well said Mike!
Guys like me appreciate that guides like yourself share your experience with us on boards like this. You walk the walk and tell it like it is regardless of the outcome.
Respect!  |
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Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | Bigger the fish........Bigger the smile......
Go Dawgs Go |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Reelwise, you have every right to your ideas and opinion as does Mr. Hulbert and anyone else who wishes to discuss this subject reasonably.
Respect for others questions and opinions, especially those who might not have the same perceived high understanding of all things Muskie, earns respect it in part. The opposite detracts.
I target big fish pretty regularly, but do not pretend I would not be honored to catch any muskie that decides to eat. I do so using an arsenal of presentations, and don't limit myself to any sized baits. I prefer to match my presentation to conditions. I have caught a few big girls, on purpose, in fact. Many were caught on baits less than 6", some on baits under 8", and a couple on baits over. What does that mean?
Have I ever taken my bait away from a 34" muskie? Sure, if I'm after a specific fish and don't want to take the time, but not because of some high moral platform or desire to keep that fish 'pure' until it gets to 44", at which time I will abuse it greatly even though it is the same fish and I will let it go anyway. Others probably catch enough numbers of smaller fish to be totally unimpressed with a 37.5" muskie, but I don't so I'm still pretty excited when one smaks a lure for me. Will I go out of my way to catch a 37.5"? Nope, but it's OK to have it happen, any muskie is a good muskie! Humor, Humor, relax. |
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Posts: 129
Location: Milwaukee Wi | I agree!!! |
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Posts: 3912
| Great thread, though maybe Reelwise got a bit too beat up.
Sometimes I'll only try for a big fish. Last fall I spent about 20 hours over a couple days dropping jigs tipped with 6" sucker minnows onto and around an old fish crib in 25'. (I had heard that the DNR and divers are aware a biggie hangs there.) I carefully added stinger hooks and all. Straight down past the transducer; watching the LCD screen I could occassionally see the muskie(s) come up to take a look then drift away. Holding the boat in place with the electric motor. Dang, I really thought I had a good plan.
Anyway, I go quality because I don't care much about quantity. (It's a good thing I'm not too demanding, because I don't boat much quality, either.)
Edited by Ranger 1/28/2007 9:02 PM
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Posts: 1530
| Musky snax. here on st clair big and small suspend over open waters. the thing here is if you get into smaller class you would notice its loose packs travelling. for big girls they suspend on open water in prime feed windows. most other times its belly down to exert less. with a depth max at 20 ft st clair is easy to figure patterns. find the bait you have found the fish. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Thanks for the info! |
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