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Posts: 2024
| This is a fairly general question, and some may have overlapping viewpoints, but I'm curious what people look for when SPECIFICALLY targeting big(er) fish - 45+".
My feeling is deep water must be nearby, but how close? I'm trying to locate "big fish spots" but the whole basin is a pretty consistent 20-25 feet. There's an occasional hole of deeper water with structure nearby, and it is my feeling that this spot has potential. Are you looking for rocks only, or weeds? If so, why?
I guess, my question is how do you, or can you, interpret big fish spots on maps? Some bodies of water that come to mind are LOTW, Mille Lacs, Vermilion, Eagle, the Goon, LCO, and Lac Seul. |
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Posts: 2361
| I think it is wrong to assume deep water must be nearbye, particularly in summer, an exit to DEEPER water is needed but be careful how you interpret deep water. 2- 4 dropping to 6-8 seems to be plenty to hold big fish. This is very lake dependent I think, and depends on the environment and what is actually available. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | ESOX50- That's a tough one. Given that a +45" muskie is the top tier predator in it's environment, i.e., there's nothing that it has to be afraid of, it can occupy/utilize just about any part of the lake or the water column- the key is finding the forage and/or their feeding stations, points, rock reefs, walls, cabbage patches, small bays, wood, sand transitions, reeds, inlets, etc., etc. I don't think there is a magic pill here. I have seen them in 2' of water and 80' of water.
If I were looking at the lake map for the first time from an overall perspective, anywhere that has water coming into the lake will hold active fish. This also is true for Northern Pike. Guess what these area's also usually have some cabbage very close. Water depths can transistion from zero to +80ft in a matter of 50' horizontal. For me this type of spot is a no brainer and I usually contact fish very quickly.
In my mind muskies are creatures of the edge, just like trophy whitetails. No smart whitetail hunter that I know sets up in the middle of the corn field, but I have successfully hunted/stalked the middle of a corn field- but only if the corn is standing. Sure there are those big muskies that are crusing the big open deep water, but I think the odds are usually better on the edges.
Be flexible- the worst tactic is to keep doing what isn't working in the hope that it will work. The odd's are definitely against you. Experiment with both locations and lures/presentations.
Al |
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Posts: 2024
| Not so much a "magic pill," but certainly percentages/statistics could be accounted for. It's December 28, my trip to Canada isn't until July 15th and I'm already overanalyzing this. Dear Lord!
Doing what you always did, will get you what you always got.
I'm looking to break the above statement. No more doing-what-you-did. Time for things to change. Need...Fitty...NOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!! |
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| im doing the same for my spring kinzua trip. don't worry, u're not the only one. |
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Posts: 4266
| There are so many parts to the equation.
Remember the map that Slamr posted and had us circle where we would fish? Some guys went one way and others went 180 dgrees the other way. Lots of spots get overlookd while others are so noticeable that even I find them on a map.
I remember someone from In-Fisherman saying something years ago, and I still do it....."Locate the best structure nearest the deepest water on the lake, and branch out from there."
That was Green Box, old school, but it still holds true.
I think many anglers have a hard time picking out structure to fish, while others can locate it but fish it wrong or at the wrong time and give up and never go back.
10% of the water holds 90% of the fish.
If you can read a map, you have a chance. Some spots are big fish spots, but you'll only find out what and where they are by spending time fishing them.
I caught my biggest fish while casting a glider with the boat in 26' of water, and the lure landing near a weed edge in 6-8. She hit when the lure was well out from the weeds. Lost 2 more big fish on that same spot and caught a couple of low-mid 40's. Also caught a boatful of pike from that spot. Is it a "big fish spot"? I guess that sometimes it is.
Beav |
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| Hey Sean,
Multidimensionally complex spots tend to be the magnets that hold big fish. Under a new moon or full moon, they continually visit these food shelves looking for baitfish. These spots once discovered hold multiple big fish, year in and year out, and big fish travel into and out of these areas all the time. Depending on conditions, muskies will often move off these areas a cast length or two, so it is especially important to check out secondary adjacent structure.
Some big fish are also in the slop in very skinny water. You need deep water access to a certain degree, but not always within a few hundred feet
Garages or slots within boulders and thick weeds are other places to look
In open water, big fish can sometimes be found suspending near pods of baitfish (just like they do on our favorite lake so think about what you do there)
Steve
Edited by muskyboy 12/29/2005 3:30 PM
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'm going to step out of the box a bit and say there really isn't necessarily any such thing as a 'big fish' spot. There are areas where big fish will be, but those areas will also hold medium, and even small fish. I feel it's important to find what the muskies are eating, where that prey is, and find whatever structure/cover is near and fish it. Some areas seem to hold big fish, but also hold fish of all other sizes at the same time. I also feel there could be as many different and seemingly opposing areas holding good fish on any body of water as the type and makeup of the system might allow; deep, shallow, and in between. Targeting a big fish s like targeting a big buck before the rut, find the food and find the areas those deer are comfortable with, and you'll find the bucks. Some won't be what you want, but a couple will!
Once you find a few good ones, you can form a milk run and get after them until one or more decide to take what you offer. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | Mentioned above already but here are my ideas. Complex structure, food....if you find a bait concentration the muskies will be close by.
However this all boils down to identifying a pattern. That is the bigest key to repeatability and not just lucking into a musky every once in the while. Then if you figure a pattern out, being able to repeat it until it fizzles out that day, next week or even in following years on that body of water.
Lets say 10% of the musky population is a "big fish", then 1 of 10 fish you catch will probably be of this caliber. Another important thing to remember is to fish a water with a higher percentage of fish in your "big fish" size. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Good topic. These are the types of threads where guys like me who have liittle or no experience can really learn something.
I hope more knowledgeable people respond.
Thanks,
Kevin
I have a plan. |
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