|
|
Posts: 56
| Hey all,
I just wanted to hear some of your ideas for future topics in muskie fishing articles? Of course it has become increasingly difficult for writers to come up with subject matter, so get your creative juices flowing and give your thoughts and opinions on what would be interesting to read about. I figured that this may be one of the best forums to ask this question to.
Just thought this might be fun for some. I know I am interested to hear peoples answers.
Thanks,
Lee Tauchen
Edited by Lee Tauchen 12/12/2006 5:51 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | I may be old fashioned, but I'm still a sucker for a BIG fish story. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Lee, the best articals are ones that people can use when they go fishing. I know its hard to write articals that spell out all the details. But this is the ones people can read and get pumped up for the real experiance. Take Madison fishing and expain what the hot times are and what the hot baits are at that time. This will piss some off and get lots of readers interested. Most will not hit the lake and others will be pumped to try the tips. If they score, you will be remembered for the advice and you will hear from them at the shows and from e-mails. People will give you the thanks for the advice.
Take the big Millie lac's pond for example. Huge body of water and plenty of great patterns that come and go through the season. Most of the hot well known patterns could be explained in an artical with some detail. With the hype going strong on that pond this would be a great artical to submit. Lots of area and spots to fish and an artical on that would generate some interest. Maybe some tips on night fishing patterns, baits and times they are hot. This would be great info and for most well known that already hit that pattern. But for most it would be something they might like to try with a guide or experianced fisherman. How about the trolling bite that works on Milli lacs in July but is not used by most. Well maybe the pontoon guy. LOL
Anyway, the best articals are the ones you can't wait to try after you read them. I would push for the Summer articals because most of the muskie magizines are already loaded with Spring articals. I know EA has over 20 submitted so far for the Spring issue. I have had numerous e-mails and storys from readers that read the local articals I write and thank me for the tips and patterns. I don't give up baits or spots, just types of spots and the types of baits to use. You don't have to give up exact stuff.
Say you target deep weed edges with crankbaits. Ok, what type of weeds and how deep do your baits work. How about the size of the bait and is it jointed or straight.
Ok, say your targeting the inside edges. Do you fish from the inside out or outside in or both. What type of baits and speed?
I know I am rambling but thats what I would like to read about, not fish storys !!!!
Write about what people would like to relate to and maybe try sometime. People like to read and learn about something. Nothing worse than reading a magazine and tossing it because it's all about fish storys, not about how to catch more muskies.
Sorry Mikie I just finished this and see you want to hear Big fish storys. I had to add this.
We all like big fish storys but they are already told on the internet web sites, chats, threads, shows, etc. Fishermen want to learn, learn and learn some more. Now if all the details are included in the fish storys I am all for that. Locations, baits used, weather, time of catch, etc. That will usually not come with the artical. Leave out the big fish and give me some solid details on working patterns and where they work and I will be a happy reader.
Edited by Mikes Extreme 12/12/2006 6:36 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2378
| Mikes Extreme - 12/12/2006 6:24 PM
Lee, the best articals are ones that people can use when they go fishing. I know its hard to write articals that spell out all the details. But this is the ones people can read and get pumped up for the real experiance. Take Madison fishing and expain what the hot times are and what the hot baits are at that time. This will piss some off and get lots of readers interested. Most will not hit the lake and others will be pumped to try the tips. If they score, you will be remembered for the advice and you will hear from them at the shows and from e-mails. People will give you the thanks for the advice.
Take the big Millie lac's pond for example. Huge body of water and plenty of great patterns that come and go through the season. Most of the hot well known patterns could be explained in an artical with some detail. With the hype going strong on that pond this would be a great artical to submit. Lots of area and spots to fish and an artical on that would generate some interest. Maybe some tips on night fishing patterns, baits and times they are hot. This would be great info and for most well known that already hit that pattern. But for most it would be something they might like to try with a guide or experianced fisherman. How about the trolling bite that works on Milli lacs in July but is not used by most. Well maybe the pontoon guy. LOL
Anyway, the best articals are the ones you can't wait to try after you read them. I would push for the Summer articals because most of the muskie magizines are already loaded with Spring articals. I know EA has over 20 submitted so far for the Spring issue. I have had numerous e-mails and storys from readers that read the local articals I write and thank me for the tips and patterns. I don't give up baits or spots, just types of spots and the types of baits to use. You don't have to give up exact stuff.
Say you target deep weed edges with crankbaits. Ok, what type of weeds and how deep do your baits work. How about the size of the bait and is it jointed or straight.
Ok, say your targeting the inside edges. Do you fish from the inside out or outside in or both. What type of baits and speed?
I know I am rambling but thats what I would like to read about, not fish storys !!!!
Write about what people would like to relate to and maybe try sometime. People like to read and learn about something. Nothing worse than reading a magazine and tossing it because it's all about fish storys, not about how to catch more muskies.
Right on, Captain Koepp. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 574
| Depends on when it will be published. I think alot of spring articals miss a good protion of the readers due to where they live. For instance last year everything I read was for much colder water temps than we have on our opener. And then the next issue was for full on summer paterns. I'm probably not the only one, but I'd like to hear more about presentation for water temps 50-60 and rising instead of reading about 40-50 and then 65-75. kind of a big gap.
Thanks
Jason |
|
| |
|
| hi Lee,
i thought your series of topwater tuning articles was one of the best things in a long time - because (as Koepp said above) it was useful on the water. i went out and played around with the different tricks you suggested. i've got a better "ear" for topwaters since reading and applying the stuff in your article.
even beyond that, it was a unique thing to write about. you followed it up with that topwater tuning tank at the winter sport shows and you were willing to show people what you wrote about. great stuff.
another good example is Donnie Hunt's recent article on cast angles and throwing parallel to structure. it wasn't something completely new (because there is nothing truly new), but it was presented in a way that will make it very easy for many people to remember and apply out on the water next year. that's what made it a good article.
are there some other techniques that you're particularly proud to have in your arsenal? something about boat control or retrieve style that you could break down for people?
what about pike fishing? you do a bit of that in Wisconsin early in the year and EA could use somebody besides Penny to write good stuff about pike.
everybody and their brother is throwing the big double bucktails, but there doesn't seem to be anybody writing about it. when's the right time to go big with them vs going small like Buechner and Hammernick did to win the Mille Lacs MMTT? how do you go about deciding to keep ripping that same mag dawg vs slow twitching a minnowbait? i'd be willing to bet that you've got a pretty good bait selection sense, something that most of us could use some help with at times.
anyway, my theme is application and skill building.
and big fish stories.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Would like to hear more about the guys using big (relatively)silent rubber critters at night. The wheres(depths, types of structure), whens(time of year, and if it is effective in fall and summer alike), whats(regular or shallow Dawgs?, eels? other types of plastics used at night) and whys(reason rubber chosen over a spinner, topwater or crank). Other wheres(not particular lakes, but whether individuals have had equal success in MN, Canada, and smaller to mid-sized WI or other waters within muskydom). I have been toying with this as I get more tuned into tossing rubber(albeit late in the game), and it is one topics that I feel I could learn a few nuances through a good reading, and shrink the learning curve.
While I am thinking about it, a few tips as to how fellas troll and 'move along' structure with the outboard with these same plastics during spring sumer and fall(more interested in the cooler periods) would be great. Maybe just an article on plastic use alternatives. I know that I was in a couple PMTT events this summer that were either won or placed in using these trolled plastic techniques. I'd love to hear how Greg Thomas modified his dawg(if it was in fact modified) this fall to maintain the speed and depth required to remain on the structure he was following as we watched them bag a good fish in the championship, and how Steckal and Machton trolled their way to the win on my home water here this spring.
Edited by Reef Hawg 12/12/2006 7:20 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3165
| Row Trolling Mille Lacs,,especially the mud flats-7 mile etc,,somebody research that 
|
|
| |
|
| Early season Mille Lacs... Why is it so difficult and what are some strategies you use to put fish in the boat during the month of June??? Esox Angler uses specific bodies of water to write articles about, Musky Hunter seems to use general information and does not talk about specific bodies of water.. Wish MH authors would write more about specific bodies of water.. Each month feature a MN and WI lake, seasonal patterns, etc... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Lambeau made a good point.... APPLICATION and Skill Building. Combine that thought with Reef Hawg's example... and you got yourself a top notch article for any publication.
I think articles that get at the THOUGHT PROCESS are far better than articles that cater to the "Monkey see, monkey do" type of application. Details, details, details. Don't be afraid to SPECULATE on the WHY's. Seems a lot of very ver very good anglers are AFRAID to toss out an IDEA for fear of criticism.... or perhaps editors are afraid to publish it too?
Take the Big Double #10 bucktails for example. Or the beloved bulldawg. No crap those lures catch fish.... but only for people that understand when, where, and most importantly... WHY those are the baits to be throwing. Yah... the Self Fulfilling Prophecy will make you a hero if you throw those baits day and night.... and you will eventually score. But.... teaching people how to apply these tools to their best advantage is far better than just pointing out the tools they can use.
So... any article that hits upon the basics yet provides extreme detail are what I'm looking for. Editors should like them because you can start simple for the beginners but also toss in some goodies for the seasoned vets looking for that one little nugget to help improve their game. Take boat control for example. For some... that might just mean keeping your boat under control. For others it might mean using it to achieve the best cast angle for the "spot on the spot". And what tools are you using to achieve that boat control? Trolling motor tricks. GPS. Playing the wind. Etc. Etc. Its the finer details that can make the difference... and are often lacking in many of today's magazine articles. And not to take a jab at magazines.... but that is why I enjoy these message board forums. You can always ASK for more detail and usually get it. With articles you need to anticipate any and all questions that could be asked by both beginners and experts alike.... and try to answer them without writing a book. Thus, general topics are too large to address in a magazine article, in my opinion, and more specific and detailed topics should be selected.
One topic I'd like to hear more about from many different authors is the decision making process used to determine whether to SPEED UP or SLOW DOWN. Basically, when to Run&Gun and when to Spot Camp. Both options can excel on the same day on the same water..... so what makes you choose one over the other? For many anglers.... this is the toughest decision to make for the day.... and it ties into boat control, lure selection, spot selection, and everything else. |
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | I dunno, Mike, I learned quite a bit from the article you wrote earlier in the year about your muskie triple-header!
Some great ideas here, though. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8865
| Just a general comment:
I'd like to see articles that focus a little less on how and a little more on why. I want to become a more knowledgable angler, but not simply "here's what you do when and how" but "here is why this is effective", because if you understand why you can apply that knowledge in other situations. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3165
| actually Id like to see some issues addressed maybe In editorial sections of major mag's
An article condeming the practice of 'tarketing" muskies before the season opens this is a problem here in Minn and an article in a major publication might go along way in educating and bringing peer presure on this practice, 'peer" pressure isnt always a negative.
An article on the 'positives' of milfoil,,thats right "positives"!!! the Twin citys fisherie Tonka,White Bear,Indy, etc have excellent fishing for muskies and Bass in fact the B.A.S.S. pros have said they feel Tonka is the best Bass lake in the country,,Its not all Leech Lakle genetics in Tonka that wouldnt explain the great bass fishing,,An article on how milfoil is a benefit especially in lakes close to highly populated urban areas I think would be of value |
|
| |
|
Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | How to catch muskies if you suck at fishing!
Not trying to be funny but, I think it would be a good article and actually funny to read. It may hit home to a lot of people who do not realize teh time:catch ratio is high and many times it is 10 hrs plus for some.
Just my two cents.
James |
|
| |
|
Posts: 56
| Great ideas guys! Keep them coming. I knew that some of you would run with this. I will be printing this out for future reference.
Thanks,
Lee |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | esoxaddict - 12/13/2006 9:17 AM
Just a general comment:
I'd like to see articles that focus a little less on how and a little more on why. I want to become a more knowledgable angler, but not simply "here's what you do when and how" but "here is why this is effective", because if you understand why you can apply that knowledge in other situations.
I agree.... but the problem with that concept is it begs for SPECULATION. Nobody really knows WHY stuff works.... and unless you are DougJ, DickP, or some other Musky Icon.... its taboo to speculate WHY something might work in a magazine article. Seems THEORY is not readily published these days.... and the magazines prefer more FACTUAL type stuff. You know... hey... this works... and I can prove it with a picture type of deal. But as soon as someone tries to SPECULATE on WHY that "something" works..... it gets shot down.... unless you have the "reputation" to pull it off. The irony with that is that most people with the "reputation" are less willing to take the RISK of tossing out those speculative ideas for fear of criticism. Those ideas are kept to themselves and only discussed with close friends.... or network of trusted anglers.
Take the "baitfish connection" for example. That is just a theory.... and not proven. But... somewhere... somehow... it crossed over from someone's THEORY to being readily accepted as something ALMOST factual. My guess.... and yah I"m speculating here.... is that it took someone "famous" to say it before other, less-seasoned authors could reference the "baitfish connection". And now the baitfish thing has almost fallen victim to the "monkey see, monkey do" concept. Less experienced anglers may get confused and feel they MUST see baitfish on their graphs for a spot to be productive. Big mistake.... in my humble opinion.... and a direct result of what gets published these days.
Sorry for the side tangent, Lee.... but I feel its a vital aspect to your question. Even if you get some good topics to write about.... its HOW you/others write about them that I'd like to see begin to change. Speculating WHY something works is much more valuable to me than just reading WHAT has worked for others..... especially if its something unique that may be met with some skepticism or a complicated subject that may not be easily understood at first. |
|
| |
|
| I would like to see more articles about jigging for muskies. Both verticle and casting jigs with some sort of soft plastic creature on it. There always seems to be a new article about a new pattern for cranks, bucktails, or bulldawgs but it seems that jigs/jigging is often overlooked for a more popular form of esox angling even though at times it can be quite effective. |
|
| |
|
| In EA's Fall Issue, Maina and Kimm have a big article on the subject. It's good. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8865
| You are right, Jlong -- One has to speculate when discussing animal behavior, especially when it's an elusive predatory fish.
But that speculation, that uncharted territory, that's the future! The "I wonder why's" of today are the knowledge of tomorrow. A lot of people say there's nothing new to be discovered or written about. In terms of how, when, where, and with what, I'd have to agree. But when you start exploring why? That's when we discover new things. Nobody really knows until a bunch of people start thinking about why, trying to figure out why, sharing ideas about why, and pretty soon you get accepted theories that can be supported by collective experience...
Rambling, sorry.
Just because it is speculation doesn't mean it doesn't have merit. Just because it is speculation doesn't mean that person hasn't discovered something that is going to change the future of musky fishing.
I'd rather listen to speculation and find out later that whoever it was had it backwards than have people afraid to speculate.
|
|
| |
|
| The articles I always re-read are the ones like "Just how big was that Musky?" by Joe B and "The Legend of Ol' Scar Face" also by Joe B.
We're chasing a legendary beast and tales of Big Fish is what keeps the lore going for me... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 723
| as long as its not another use a spinnerbait in the slop or bucktails are where its at article by Joe B, I will be fine with that.
I too like the legendary stories, but would further improve my PMA through articles like the one done on Lateral Line by Dr. Gene Smith, that was a huge eye opener when it came to fishing in some of the muddiest looking water and whacking multiple fish. Its articles like that, that will give a guy hope that he doesnt have to worry about what bait he's using, as long as youre in the right area of where the fish are. they will find anything. and I mean anything.
I dont like reading articles of certain patterns, why? cause the biggest part of the key to make it work is usually left out. I know sometimes you have to finish the homework on your own, but, if you don't have time to go out and chase open water fatties with topwater baits, why bother trying something that could rob you of your time on the water? If these discoveries were more well covered, then they might be worth my time. I usually work the fish that I know are there cause I dont have the luxury of time to try new stuff every time I go out. Explaining the "why" behind some of these articles would really open it up for a lot of guys who struggle with getting new things to work. Most guys try it once, and it ends up being at the wrong time, wrong area, or what have you, and they never try it again because, well, it sucked. Most like anyone I know, if you try something once, and it shows you results, you will stick it out for many outings to come, but, try it once, and it doesn't happen, back to the community spots. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | esoxaddict - 12/13/2006 12:32 PM
Just because it is speculation doesn't mean it doesn't have merit. Just because it is speculation doesn't mean that person hasn't discovered something that is going to change the future of musky fishing.
I'd rather listen to speculation and find out later that whoever it was had it backwards than have people afraid to speculate.
I agree with ya EA!!! Unfortunately, that type of speculation is just too big of a risk for reputeable anglers to take..... the risk of an author initially getting it wrong, as that COULD potentially hurt their credibility. Same goes for the editors.... many are too afraid to take the risk of publishing something "unproven". The question I have is..... HOW CAN WE GET THEM PAST THAT?
I get criticized all the time for my ramblings on the internet. Some people truly think I'm a whacko because of it too. But... at least I'm not afraid to ask questions..... and speculate a little.... well.... A LOT (heh heh). I'd like to see more authors and editors take that same risk. The guys we truly want to hear from (read) are certainly doing a lot of experimentation.... and much of that is based on speculation. If that is what they are doing in the real world.... why can't they (authors/editors) publish those IDEAS?
Does anyone remember the article that DickP and Pete Maina did for EA a few years ago regarding WIND? Pete was the WHAT guy. He wrote WHAT works for him and left it at that. DickP wrote WHY he felt the wind was an asset. Trial&Error (Pete) vs. Prediction (DickP). I'd like to see more of that type of stuff.... either from a SINGLE author or the same format as the Pete/Dick article. Here is WHAT worked for me.... and here is WHY I think it worked.
Anyway... now you guys know why I haven't written an article in awhile. I have editor issues (hahaahahahaha). Lee... I hope you can overcome that hurdle.  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 556
| esoxaddict - 12/13/2006 9:17 AM
Just a general comment:
I'd like to see articles that focus a little less on how and a little more on why. I want to become a more knowledgable angler, but not simply "here's what you do when and how" but "here is why this is effective", because if you understand why you can apply that knowledge in other situations. i agree and maybe some things that you can do to catch more musky consitantly not just a one big fish on doing something once but something that can catch musky after musky after musky. just my thoughts |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | guts.....if someone has that info I doubt they'd share it! LOL!
I'm on board with EA and JLong.....Perhaps we could start a new magazine "The Theoretical Musky Journal"
Mike
Edited by Pointerpride102 12/13/2006 4:23 PM
|
|
| |
|
| ...speculation is just too big of a risk for reputeable anglers to take...Same goes for the editors...many are too afraid to take the risk of publishing something "unproven". The question I have is..... HOW CAN WE GET THEM PAST THAT?
start you own magazine!
anyway, i think that's a bit of your personal agenda jason, and not necessarily an answer to the "what makes a good article?" question. i don't think it's any big secret that your speculation and hypothesizing was something that didn't translate well in editors' eyes as publishable material. it sounds a bit like there's still some leftover feelings about that?
...at least I'm not afraid to ask questions...and speculate a little...I'd like to see more authors and editors take that same risk.
perhaps the internet is the best place for that kind of WAG work.
i actually would NOT like to see that in published form. magazines do carry a certain degree of credibility and i want to know that what i'm reading about is something tried and "proven" by the person. it's a result of the one-sidedness of an article, as mentioned before it's authoritative because there's no venue for questions about what's presented.
when it comes to raw speculation, the more dynamic discussion available online or over a couple beers seems more appropriate.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Well....I guess Lambeau wont be subscribing to the "Theoretical Musky Journal".......haha! (Sorry all this studying of genetics has me going insane)
Mike |
|
| |
|
| How to log more fishing hours and stay married at the same time.
Well, actually I'll get to write that article, but it will be from the recently divorced man's perspective.
I won't have to worry about staying married and fishing, because I'm never making that mistake again. |
|
| |
|
| WHAT?
WHY?
HOW?
I would like to see more articles that cover these three questions completely rather than focus on just WHAT with some HOW
We all have something new to learn whether we believe/like it or not. I really benefit when someone like Gregg Thomas shares what he has learned from fishing other parts of the country and using other techniques that are not traditional. I saw something unusual out East last week that I questioned but later found out it paid off in one of the biggest muskies of the season
Lee, your topwater tuning series was one of the best things published lately, so any other advice like that is always insightful. You recently had the best day anyone could have on the water short of catching a world record, so that experience certainly could be used to describe what made that day so special and how your success happened. Good luck |
|
| |
|
| Well....I guess Lambeau wont be subscribing to the "Theoretical Musky Journal".......haha! (Sorry all this studying of genetics has me going insane)
lol...i just think the internet is a better place for that kind of discussion.
jlong really brings that kind of give-and-play out in this environment, and i really really enjoy it.
you can't do quite the same thing in a magazine article.
|
|
| |
|
| COLD FRONTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
|
| |
