Muskie Discussion Forums
| ||
| Moderators: Slamr | View previous thread :: View next thread |
| Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> open water muskies |
| Message Subject: open water muskies | |||
 |
| ||
| Getting really interested in this tactic for the upcoming season. Can think of many times when "pounding" the shallows and weeds without a follow, not even thinking that they may be a cast or 2 behind us or even further. My confusion is with sunlight situations. If I am fishing deep clear lakes and the sun is ever so brightly, wouldn't they suspend a little deeper, vice versa if it is overcast or last light, they would be shallower, (higher in the water column)? I have seen baitfish schools jumping before and it was at last (LOW) light. Thus if it were blue bird skies out in the deep water would you throw a deep diver and over cast throw a shallow lure?? Any thoughts? | |||
|
| ||
| In general your thinking is correct:Lower light conditions can and will move suspended Muskies up in the water column,however,there are a myriad of other factors that can affect the depth Muskies will prefer on a given body of water.Some of these are: water temp-oxygen levels-type of forage-available shade-types of structural elements available-water color-seasonal patterns of forage-fishing pressure-thermolcline ;etc.Then again you might find that shallower means a change from say 35' to 20'which still does not warrant using shallower running lures. Its a complicated subject that im sure others can add to.Ninety percent of my Muskie fishing is over open water and I think youll really get into it and produce bigger average fish once you get over the mental hurdle of being in the "middle of nowhere".Good luck- The big girls are inded out there. HC Meyer Seven Islands Guide Service Presque Isle Wi. | |||
|
| ||
| Actually I think the fish stay higher when it is sunny, and lower when it is cloudy. I have seen numerous fish out in 60 ft. of water about 10 ft down on very bright days. And these fish are huge! I don't know if you have ever noticed, but the baitfish (usually small ciscoes) are breaking the surface all day long on sunny days. The best thing about fishing clear water is you don't have to fish as deep because the fish will come up a long ways to smash a bait. If you are in doubt about fishing a cast out farther from shore go two casts away from shore and try it. You may be happily surprised. Als don't be afraid to just casting to the other side of the boat while fishing shoreline. It's an angle the fish are not used to seeing lures coming in on. Good luck. If intersted more feel free to contact me. [email protected] | |||
|
| ||
| Greg, Your forgetting one key element that holds true in all your Muskie hunts, I don't care what water you are on! "BAIT FISH, BAIT FISH, BAIT FISH"!!! Sometimes I think we over-think our Muskie fishing (sun, moon, wind, temp., barometer, etc. etc.) you get the idea! Don't get me wrong I'm just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to trying to figure these toothy critters out, but most often if you find the bait fish, you find the Muskie's![:)] | |||
|
| ||
| Thanks for the replies folks, what got me thinking about this was Herbeck's recent article in MH, he said on sunny days they shallow up and cold front conditions they go deeper. I always thought it was the opposite. I have seen baitfish on the screen before but honestly don't remembetr what the sky was doing in relationship to their depth. I sure will pay attention this year!! When the heck is this ice gonna melt!![:bigsmile:] thx much. | |||
|
| ||
| My favorite lakes for open water fishing are those that do NOT provide the musky with any other alternatves. You know, those gin bottles that you can see your fuzzy duzzit flashin' 30 feet down and there isn't a weed in the entire lake. When the thermocline is the highest (spring) these lakes are awesome! Sunny, calm, HOT June days are the time to hit your favorite open water spots since the fish will be high in the water column and easily accessible. Then, for some reason, those post cold-front days with mile high skies and a NORTH wind blowing really seems to bring on those suspendos too. Another observation I have made is that it is futile to chase around the splashing schools of cisco. When they are dispersed along the surface dimpling all over... it is a sign that they feel "safe" and can freely go about feeding. Look for deeper schools of bait. This usually means they are "balled up" trying to protect themselves from feeding predators. If you can't find the RIGHT looking bait... then look for skis themselves.... especially during the low light periods when the bait is often scattered. When you are blessed with overcast skies.... head to your favorite lakes with GOOD shallow cover and leave your true Gin Bottle for a sunny day. You have a better opportunity in those conditions of catching a suspender sliding shallow in those types of systems and you are better off trying to take advantage of that pattern. My above observations are certainly not "rules of thumb" but are good place to start if you are struggling or lack confidence in this type of water. Personally, I could fish that kind of water under any condition.... but sometimes you gotta go where your efforts are better invested. | |||
|
| ||
| thx all, I am definately going to persue this with a lot more attention next season. I had a chance to hear Paul Kline talk about this too. He said don't let sunny blue bird skies chase you off the water. Go after the suspenders out in the deep middles. Will have to see which lure fits the depth situation the best, thx again. | |||
|
| ||
| Greg - Speed trolling the center 2/3's of way-too-busy lakes during the day is a good option, especially on smaller lakes. You're away from most of the boat traffic and with rod holders both your hands are free to wave at the babes who are skiing by. | |||
|
| ||
| Greg, Bring your maps to the March or April meeting or down to the show at Ron's and I'll circle a few spots for you on some of the waters we both know...[;)] It works...high skies/calm waters....check out the picture of me with a 42" on my website that I took last fall 5-600 yds off shore in the middle of the bay. Not a big fish but I used the photo cause I don't look as ugly/goofy as I normally do in photos...[:bigsmile:] 25 minutes before on the same "drift" my client had an honest 48"er to the side of the boat and pressed the panic button on the figure 8 and blew the fish. We caught two smaller ones earlier in the morning working "cover/structure" but the bigger fish were suspended. We'll get out this summer and stick a few..[:p] Mark Musky Adventres www.muskyadventures.com Eau Claire, WI | |||
|
| ||
| Thx mark, I'm all for that. Is the water open way down south in Eau Claire yet??....... didn't think so[:blackeye:] | |||
| Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] |
| Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
Copyright © 2026 OutdoorsFIRST Media |