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Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | I was just thinking about all the time I have put into this sport the last 3 years and only the 5 fish I have caught. I know its the passion thats keeping me going. I think thats the key to musky fishing personally. If you dont have the passion for these fish your going to get frusterated to quickly and want to give up (even though musky fishing is full of frustration lol). But if you have a passion for this sport your going to fish hard and know sooner or later your going to get that big old pig and all the time you have put into it is 100% worth it. I know now that im a musky hunter for life, and no matter what I'm going to go out on the water with a good attitude and put fish in the net! Whats everyone elses opinion on this? what keeps you going out and chasing these amazing fish? |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Que the music...
When I branched out on my own to start fishing for muskies, I was one of those kids that fished for everything that would bite. I had a life altering event that drove me to try and focus on certain things in my life - Fishing was one of them. Naturally Musky was the fish to primarily chase since it probably takes the most focus to catch out of all freshwater species. I fished for them on and off for a couple of seasons only landing 2 legal fish. I had caught many more after that but was still lacking the confidence I needed to someday follow a dream to be a musky guide. I got a chance to fish with a renowned minnesota multi-species guide and I just absorbed every ounce of information and positivity he gave off. Over the next few seasons, I was catching fish hand over fist. The rush I felt was greatly needed and quickly became an addiction. This addiction led me far from home, my college degree, my profession, and my family. I moved 600 miles north to live my life an pursue muskies on a daily basis - and eventually (6 years later) try to get paid to do so. It was probably the best decision I have ever made. I owe this fish a debt of gratitude as it has led me to a peaceful existence, my wife, some great friends, a dream profession, and residency in the greatest state in the US - Minnesota - Cheesy I know, but it's the truth.
So as for passion, I stay stick with it - No excuses, no giving up. That's what it takes to be a musky fisherman.
Fade the music... 
Edited by Jsondag 5/5/2009 5:39 PM
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Location: The desert | The government forces me to fish.  |
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Location: Eagle River, WI | Jerry, I agree with everything you said and that is a great story. There is one problem with it though. Everyone knows that Wisconsin is the greatest state in the U.S. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | For Cheese, Leinies... Oh and the Brat Stop!!
Edited by Jsondag 5/5/2009 9:10 PM
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Posts: 19
| Listen, I have only caught 1 musky in my life, and that was a year ago. I waited 6 years, starting at age 8, with more than 250 hours on the water since. I never gave up or even thought about doing so. Just give it time. |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Some people just go out, and from day one pull muskies out of their arse. They don't sweat it out, they don't experience the heartache or doldrums. In return they never "pay their dues" - to them it is just catching a critter... The fish lose their lore and mystery, and those people will never get it. 2 days without a fish to them is a slump. They become overinflated one trick ponies... WOW, I sound bitter. |
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Location: In a shack in the woods | I'll admit it, I hated musky for a Long time. I thought why would anyone want to waste all that time and get excited just to see a fish. I would fish them a couple times a year. I'd seen some and caught some little ones. It was my joke when I had a musky follow bass fishing I had a good day for a musky fisherman too. LOL last fall something changed though. Beleive it or not I got sick of catching 3 to 6 lb smallies. Went to the baitshop and bought 2 inline spinners, a mania doc, and a m/g spinnerbait. I had an idea where to start from always seeing them bass fishing and went out on the search. I am not sure when in the next 3 days the bug hit but it did somewhere in there. First day 1 fish followed to the bait 3 times. Me being a rookie I had no clue what to do and messed it up. 2nd day took my girlfriend with to a different lake. I set her up with ultra light for crappie while I muskyfished. Within ten minutes she could a little sunny, little perch, and a 20" musky. All I heard for 3 hours was how she caught a musky on 4lb line. Closer to evening I had a hit on the doc and missed it, switched to the m/g and 5 casts later had a follow tried my feeble attempt at doing an 8 then fish swam away. Next cast caught a snakie northern got it in the boat and flopped of in the aluminum bottom boat making a bunch of noise. I told him to be quite but he didn't listen. LOL 3rd cast musky hit, I set the hook and nothing there. Reeled up and m/g blade was wrapped with hook but musky was still following so I tried to 8 again. Fish hit and I missed cuz of fouled hooks so I pulled it out and fixed it then castes out about 10 feet ( I was shaking from adrenaline by this point), fish followed again and I started doing half circles around the boat, just as I was about to turn the fish hit right in front of my girlfriend, she screamed and I landed the fish. No fight left in it. It was at boatside for more than 20 mins though prior to being hooked. 3rd day raised 1 but screwed figure 8 up again. I went quite a few days this fall without seeing one but just kept thinking of the one that hit boatside. I did catch a 38 that was a fighter right before ice up. I now have a lake wood hybrid box filled to the gills and 3 soon to be 4 musky combos. I am sorry jerry if I didn't pay musky dues but I have paid lots of other fishing dues in this great state of mn. I am also fishing lakes that have a lot of musky in them, no monsters but lots of low to mid 40's with a few low 50's. I raised 3 to 7 fish a day most of the fall casting green weeds. Still need figure 8 practice though.I would like to continue my success but doubt it will happen. I have about 15 lakes on my to do list this summer, not ones I have fished my whole life. I think Its the challenge like jerry said. Ever since I caught this bug I have read everything a can get my hands on and it is soaking up like a sponge. Just trying to figure out more about this elusive fish. I guess I am an official addict. LOL |
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Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | When I was referring to "one trick ponies" that "Don't pay their dues", I wasn't referring to people who go out and TRY regardless of their success - I was referring to those individuals who effortlessly catch a fish and all the sudden they are the experts. You did it yourself, like many, by trial and error.
I think you are crazy though, getting sick of 3-6 pound smallies. They're a blast!
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| The next cast Ben......
Your just a pup...and 3 years experience is just the start...the biggest thing is you have made it this far!!! I think the first couple years are the hardest...LOT to learn...not a lot of fish caught to keep you going etc.
So keep plugging away...you live in a good area so hit the water when you can with as many GOOD fisherman as you can and you will continue to catch more and more fish....
Now get that boat going
Cory |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Jsondag - 5/5/2009 9:06 PM
For Cheese, Leinies... Oh and the Brat Stop!!
Jerry! My man! The Brat Stop is a wonderful place!! And you can buy all the cheese you want accross the street at Mars Cheese. |
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Posts: 221
| I started musky fishing 19 years ago when I was 8. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba but my second home was The Turtle Flambau Flowage. I spent many summers there with my Uncle teaching me to Musky fish. That is definatly what got me going. Following Muskies, even ones just by the dock....heck just the Bull Sessions I would have with the older experienced Musky guys at Donners Bay, all had an effect on making me the rediculously obsessed Musky fisherman I am today.
Unfortunalty around 15 years old being a Punk and chasing girls became #1 priority until I was about 22.
The last several years, I've come back to what really matters and have fished pretty hard. Now I'm on a missing like Jerry. This summer I'll be on the water 4+ days/week. I'm currenlty renovating my house to sell so I can move to Kenora full time and chase/guide Muskies everyday.
My passion has turned to obsession, not sure if it's a good thing or not.
Darcy Cox |
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| Darcy, I love Winnipeg! You ever fish Lake Winnipeg much? Are there any muskies in there? The walleyes are unbelievable there, but if there are any muskies in there they got to be freakin huge! |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | My obsession with the sport began when I was a teenager. That was...a long time ago. I have spent much of my life chasing Muskies across North Amrerica, and probably, at least for the sake of my career, shouldn't have. I undoubtedly squandered a successful career doing something else, I just can't imagine what.
Over the years, I've met some muskie anglers who have become good friends which is the best part of the sport, IMHO. Watching my sons become better than average anglers has been really cool, and meeting Sue and finding a 'best friend' in her company on the water has been a blessing.
With 35 years under the belt fishing Muskies and working in the surrounding industry (and I'm still standing, somehow), some days the passion isn't what it used to be, especially when 'muskie' folks who I trust or consider a friend or associate, or even those who have never met me or know a #*^@ed thing about me take their shots over the bow. I guess if you live in this atmosphere, you will have that sort of thing. Sorta has a tendency to dampen the spirit if you are as gullible as I and believe that most folks, no matter what the subject, mean well at heart.
It only takes a couple threads like this one to correct that attitude, plus a reminder that the small minded folks are a minority just as they are in most things, and that Muskie anglers for the most part are generous, good folk just looking to enjoy the sport. Witness the Operation Muskie auction....
SO I'm looking very much forward to the opener up here, and to fishing league with Norm and Andy and Sue this summer. I'm looking forward to my annual trip to the Goon, and to the Outings on Vermilion and up in Presque Isle. I'm looking forward to sharing a boat with Beav again, too. Slamr needs to get up here and eat some venison, and take a cast over by that rock. TJ and I will get some good hat camera video, I hope, and maybe Norm, Mike and I will get out on pelican again. Theeeeeedz needs to take a break and visit, that monster on George isn't getting any younger.
I just noticed I haven't talked catching or not catching. I guess when one has as many years at this as I, the focus changes ( at least it did for me), and the passion begins to focus more on enjoying and sharing the overall experience.
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Posts: 8781
| 35 years fishing for me, this will be season # 6 fishing for muskies. Loved them and hated them, cursed at them, lost sleep over them, dreamed about them, obsessed over them. Had some great days, had some miserable ones too, and lots in between. Made a lot of friends, lifelong friends I suspect. Made a few enemies along the way, too. Is it passion? Obsession? Maybe an unhealthy addiction? Who knows. I try not to think about the time or the money I've got into it, or what I could have done or be doing with either one. All I know is I keep on going back, just like I always did, and that first cast in the spring still feels like it always did. I've spent the past few months getting to know my new girlfriend, and a wonderful woman she is. Along the way, I've found myself trying to explain my love for fishing, why on earth a man would spend that kind of money on a little piece of land 400 miles away just because of fishing, and what musky fishing is all about, what it means to me, why I do it. What it is that draws us to the water even when its raining, windy, and 38 degrees. Explaining that to someone who has never heard of it before is not easy.
During this time I've been wondering if I'll still be able to fish going forward, if life and other priorities, a serious relationship, a woman in my life, will take its place. Unsettling thoughts to say the least. But then last week she said a few things that put my mind at ease. She told me that if I ever stop fishing she will kill me. Then she said three words I will never forget. We all know those three words. She meant them. Then she said 4 words that are going to make some of you jealous: "you need a boat!" And another 4 that will make the rest of you jealous: "take me musky fishing!"
I have a feeling I will be fishing as long as I am able...
Edited by esoxaddict 5/6/2009 11:08 AM
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Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Guest - 5/6/2009 8:08 AM
The next cast Ben...... Your just a pup...and 3 years experience is just the start...the biggest thing is you have made it this far!!! I think the first couple years are the hardest...LOT to learn...not a lot of fish caught to keep you going etc. So keep plugging away...you live in a good area so hit the water when you can with as many GOOD fisherman as you can and you will continue to catch more and more fish.... Now get that boat going Cory
Hahahaa a lot of fisherman have said im wise behond years. but of course I have a lot more to learn, and im excited to learn more. At age 17 I'm more then happy with the sport im completly obsessed with! |
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Location: Madtown, WI | I must not have been logged in since my last post was as guest....
Hook up Ben with as many guys in your area over there and fish with them. There are some REALLY good fisherman that I bet would take you under their wing....many of them on this board. Time on the water with the right folks will grow your knowledge by leaps and bounds!!
Good luck this season!
cory |
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Posts: 221
| BenMusky.... Stay on course!! Don't let the bar sucker you in!!! I could only imagine what level I would be at if I didn't waist all those weekend.
Mallard, Wpg is great if you like Walleyes. I usually get out for them on the Red R. and Lake Wpg before Laker season opens in Ontario.
Pics:
http://icefishing.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?ti...
Darcy Cox
Edited by 50inchGrinch 5/6/2009 5:02 PM
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Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | You know you are an addict when you constantly set the hook in your sleep. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Or when you start doing figure 8's in your oatmeal, as once stated by Rick Cummings when he and James Reiter won the 2007 Eagle River PMTT event. |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | C.Painter - 5/6/2009 12:15 PM
I must not have been logged in since my last post was as guest....
Hook up Ben with as many guys in your area over there and fish with them. There are some REALLY good fisherman that I bet would take you under their wing....many of them on this board. Time on the water with the right folks will grow your knowledge by leaps and bounds!!
Good luck this season!
cory
I would love to go out fishing with a real die hard musky fisherman. It sucks because i'm the only one in my family that fishes period. So its hard to find people to go out with besides one of my fishing buddies but he is constantly working : ( haha is it just that easy to ask someone to take me out with them and learn a thing or two? |
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| Ben, there is probably a Muskies Inc chapter close to you. Have you thought about joining? It's a great way to meet a whole bunch of crazy musky anglers that fish in your area. |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Yes I know there is, Ive been wanting to do but i dont even know what has been stopping me. I just spent all of my money on a boat so I'll prolly sign up in the next couple of weeks. Im just going out on a limb here but if theres anyone thats willing to take me out and teach me a thing or two I would appreciate it very much. There is still some work to do on my boat and I probably won't have it ready towards the end of june. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | if you get to Rhinelander, and I'm in town, you have a seat in my rig. |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | sworrall - 5/6/2009 8:09 PM
if you get to Rhinelander, and I'm in town, you have a seat in my rig.
I might just take you up on that offer, you gunna be in town around june 20-27?
Edited by BenMuskyHunter247 5/7/2009 11:06 AM
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Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I know in my off course years I drank enough to buy a new 620 Ranger loaded to the gills. I got into this muskie addiction late in life ( if you call 38 when I started old) I find myself figure 8ing a 1/8 oz jig when casting for eyes now, I spend most my open water season chasing them almost nightly after work and every weekend. I started doing tourneys this year and so far having a blast. I'm not in it to get rich but to learn new water and hopefully learn period. I don't put up a ton of numbers a year but enjoy every minute on the water hunting these fine fish. Nothing other than maybe Elk have given me the excitement of the hunt muskies do. Yes I have the obsession and only regret is I didn't find that obsession 20 years ago. |
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| And now for the flipside: my passion is about dead. After 25+ years of doing it, and I'm by no means an old man, I'm just about done fishing for muskies. I have all the gear, the boat with space-age electronics, and have boated some pretty nice fish in the my time. Seen some monsters, lost a few of those. But the thought of driving 45 minutes for the closest muskie fishing opportunities (the Fox Chain in Illinois) where the fishing is considered poor to bad by most, it just doesnt do it for me anymore.
Add 2 more hours to that drive and the fishing is OK, but still the chance for a monster is slight even for the best of area guides. Northern Wisconsin is a 3 day adventure, and I dont get vacation pay, so that means a trip to MN means at least 2 unpaid days. The wife hates when I go fishing, she won't fish with me anymore, and the idea of going fishing and then having to discuss whether or not I should have gone coming up in marital therapy does a lot of damage to the fun that is supposed to come from going fishing. My only week to true trophy waters (Canada) was always with the wife, see the proceeding sentence.
The economy sucks and not only can missing work days mean not getting paid for those days, but if I lose my job I could be facing 7-9 months of no job. Lose the job and I lose the ability to pay for the boat that I don't use.
Anyone else ever been here? |
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Location: Eagle River, WI | WOW! If I felt that bad I would probably just dig a hole in the backyard and lay down in it.
I think you need to get away and catch some fish to re-kindle that old flame. |
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| B-Arnold - 5/7/2009 3:59 PM
[...]
Anyone else ever been here?
Last year in Canada. Three days without a fish. Hot, tired, hung over, sore, mad, thinking about how much I spent just getting there, morgage to be paid, bills, wondering how long I was going to have my job, borrowed money from my parents to pay for the trip...
I remember thinking "this is ---ing stupid! I'm done! Selling my stuff, done!"
One (liquid) attitude adjustment and a good meal later I decided to spend the last few hours of daylight fishing, since that's why I was there... A couple casts into the evening, a 49.5"er came along and reminded me why I fish. And it's not the fish.
B-Arnold, I don't know who you are, but I think you're more frustrated with why you can't fish than you are "about done fishing"... Hang in there man. I had a four year stretch where I fished one time, came home to my girlfriend all pissed off asking "so... how was FISHING?! Did you have a good TIME? You LOOK like you did, you're all TAN... Wanna know what I did all day?!" (i can guess, you sat on the phone with your mother bitching about what a rotten boyfriend I am leaving you home alone...)
It gets better. It really does. |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | "But if you have a passion for this sport your going to fish hard and know sooner or later your going to get that big old pig and all the time you have put into it is 100% worth it. "
That's it in a nutshell!
Every year that passes I want that fish more and more. It eats at me, gnawing away from the inside, like being horribly hungry only I can't make the feeling go away. Only one cure and maybe that won't even work but I'd sure like to try it!
That's why I can fish for days without a trace of action and just keep coming back fishing harder and harder. It's a happy kind of madness. |
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