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Posts: 600
Location: West Bend, WI | Who is in favor of the musky world exploding like some say it will ? Who would rather it stay the same (our little secret)? I like it being a small little comunity like it is.It's kind of neat going to show's in the winter and knowing tons of peaple.I just don't think big money tourny's, and 5 tv shows sat. morning would be a good thing. please keep clean.... |
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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | YES, and here's my why....
I love that I can go just about anywhere in IL or Indiana and I know SOMEONE at the lauch! (my dad gets a kick out of it)
I love that there are 3 muskie magazines, 4 BIG muskie websites (and countless littler ones) and a bunch of MUSKIE ONLY retailers out there!
I love that there are tourneys for muskie nuts, clubs for muskie nuts, and winter shows for muskie nuts!
I love that states like Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, and even New Mexico (for chrissakes!) are stocking muskies!
We can hope that the sport doesnt grow, but if that happens, alot of the above goes away. Yes, more people means more bad eggs, but more people also means more new friends, more people dreaming up new ways to catch skies, it means more new lures, it just means more of alot of stuff for all of us.
Hey, there are now a BUNCH of boats designed for us....other than maybe Tuffy, how many boats were like that 10 years ago?
I don't think that Muskies will ever be televised to the degree that big money bassing is, but some of that will be good for all of us.
Yes, if the World Mongo Muskie Mojo Tourney is on your "home waters" it will suck....but if the muskie as a species gets more attention, maybe more DNRs will realize their is a bigger population of us yelling WE WANT LOTS OF BIG MUSKIES!!! And just maybe they'll help us with that.
I know the "mystique" of the lone musky hunter on virgin waters, up at the crack of dawn with no one else around, chasing the elusive fish of 10,000 casts is very cool....but if it remains a secret, I think we'll lose more than we stand to gain.
My personal feelings...now off the soap box. |
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| without the "explosion" of musky fishers (and i think it's a bit exaggerated, by the way), the states wouldn't see the need to stock all those lakes with all those fish. most of those big fish weren't born in those lakes, you know...
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Posts: 600
Location: West Bend, WI | Slamer,you have a lot of good points.I think that stocking of musky in new lakes and states is great!!!.I guess what my side is musky's have been where I live a long time.Peaple know of these fish and fish them heavly.When you introduce musky's to other regions I don't think that it really takes off right away.Take for instance (word of mouth,never been there)Shelbyville southern Ill.You can go there and catch 3-4 on a good day and maybe only see a few other musky fisherman.This is great !!!! But by me you can wait 2 hours to launch on opening day.You can go to a 200 acre lake (later in the year) and try to fend off 15 other boats.If your not watching it's possible to run into another boat.I also wonder if it's possible to educate peaple as fast as the sport grows. There are pro's and con's depending on where you live, I guess.
Edited by plitzzz 10/23/2003 7:01 PM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The sport has literally exploded in popularity in the last few years, and is one of the fastest growing segments in the frersh water fishing world. I expect that will continue at a pace not unlike we have seen over the last few years, and muskie management should improve as a result of alot more interest. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I think it's a good thing for peeople like me who live "away" from the musky fishing meccas like northern wisconsin and see the muskie's range expanded. It's good for me and those who live in more musky remote areas. For those who live in the muskie's heartland, I am sure it's an unwelcome thing to have the extra pressure. |
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Posts: 303
Location: Valentine, NE USA | I hate to bite the hand that feeds me but,......
My vote is for staying small. I grew up in a time when fly fishing was barely a blip on the sportfishing industy's radar. Now...a guy has to share a nice riffle with 4-6 other people.
Not to mention that when a sport gets popular, the equipment usually gets more expensive. We darn sure don't need that to happen.
B |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I honestly think musky fishing will reach a saturation point. When? I don't know. Why? Because how many anglers do you know that will spend the lion's share of their fishing time pursuing a fish they will be lucky to see let alone catch? Take an average angler musky fishing during the fall peak. Watch them shiver and cast for 10+ hours. See how long they continue to pursue that species when they may not have even seen a fish. Granted, it becomes a disease to some but I consider myself a pretty serious muskyphile and yet I only spend about 6 to 10 days a season pursuing musky specifically. I'm amazed at the number of people on this board alone that have actually caught "less" muskies than me (4) and yet I think it has more to do with the frequency of targeting them than the ability of the angler. I've sure read a lot of reports about Slamr, Sworrall, Jason Smith and others getting skunked. Most people can take that only so long then they go back to bass and crappie exclusively. I intend on going again and again. Agree or disagree? |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | It sure is a double edged sword.
Some fine points made here so far. I agree that it will reach a saturation point because lots will try it but give up. This means more used lures for sale : ). I disagree that if it gets more popular that the prices will go up. Competition will step in and drive the price of lures for example down, especially if they are mass produced.
I sure hope the education can compete with the pace of growth in the sport. If it gets more popular then there will be more on the internet, mags, newspapers, etc, so it should.
I personally would like it to stabilize about where it is even if that means not getting extreem help from DNR etc. I mean , it is working, right? |
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Posts: 1294
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Interesting post.. Thinking back 20 years or so, I think fishing was more productive per hours fished. I'm not sure if it's because of a greater hunger back then, greater fishing pressure now, or other unrelated factors. I do know that I definetely enjoy a less pressured lake and often seek them out at the expense of a chance at trophys. I do enjoy the advancments in tackle today, which can be attributed to a larger market. All in all I wold prefer to see it stay small, but I think it will continue its rapid growth, TV exporsure or not. It's a lot easier today and there certainly is more disposable income available, as witnessed by the number and size of boats on the water. Change is ineveitable, some good, some bad. Just have to adapt to the times.
By the way, Mr. Worrall, you should have been a politician. You gave an interesting take on the situation, without ever answering the question. 
Edited by ghoti 10/23/2003 9:21 PM
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Posts: 148
Location: DES MOINES, IOWA | I definitely don,t want it growing to the point bass fishing has gone.I quit fishing bass in Iowa, because on weekends, every lake had bass tournaments.I am not for musky tournaments, and if the sport takes off like bass fishing with numerous large musky clubs,running tournaments every weekend, it is going to ruin it for all of us. Luckily, we are in a select group of fisherman, who are not totally normal.There never will be large numbers of fisherman, who will fish as hard as we do, to catch as few fish as we do.I use to get my limit of walleyes, and northerns every single day I fished Sabaskong.That is what most people want out of fishing.But like the rest of you crazies, I would rather see a 50" musky, than catch a limit of bait. good fishing. |
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Posts: 4520
Location: Chippewa Falls Wisconsin | I would like to see the new members that join a muskie inc club stay. But we loose as many as we gain. How can you grow if you gain 80 members and loose 80 members in the same year.
You can grow if the club breaks down the walls and clicks and become really open with new members, inviting them fishing, teaching them the new ropes, being mentors.
I like new folks fishing muskies as long as we mentor them to the proper handing and taking care of muskies. |
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| jason is dead on.
i'm not new to muskie fishing, but i am new to fishing primarily for muskie. the very thing he's talking about is the way to shape the growth; people are worried about all these new people having bad habits, etc., when the thing to do is to teach them good habits. the print material that's out there is great for promoting cpr, etc., but nothing beats having someone show you the ropes. for example, i know i need help/practice with properly handling a fish and i can read and read and read about it and never improve without someone showing me how to do it right. so...i'm think about joining a club (capital city MI). the issue of whether i get involved or don't renew will totally depend on the benefits i receive - are the people about having their fishing click or about helping someone like me improve skills and have fun along the way???
and i know all these businesses out there don't mind the increase in sales, member fees, etc., etc...
so if you're concerned about it, do something about it - mentor someone into the way to do it right. and yes, it may mean that little st.germain sees even more boats, but i know a few lakes within spitting distance of their that combine good fish AND quiet. there's a lot of water out there, especially if everyone is throwing 'em back.
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Posts: 4520
Location: Chippewa Falls Wisconsin | Lambeau,
If you are questioning the Capital city chapter of MI I would not worry. They for the most part have there act together. There are many muskiefirst members in that club, Cpainter for example. They have many members that will mentor you along the way. Just dont sit back and hug the wall at the meetings, get involved. You only get out of it, what you put in it. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | I'd like to add that my unpleasant experiences in all aspects of fishing had more to do with disregard from pleasure boaters than other anglers. Even on the small IN waters the musky fishermen were consistantly respectful and it was actually kinda neat to see how each boat would set up on a drift and take turns passing over a break. It is fun to see the excitement of a good CPR or a hot follow at another boat. Oh sure, I'd prefer it was my boat but... public waters, public fishing. Why not enjoy other's success? IMHO |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | This is all very relative. In PA, muskie fishing isn't NEARLY as big as in Wisconsin, IL, or even Indiana for that matter. I like not having the pressure. Keep it small, works for me.
I'm not to concerned, as said earlier, a lot of people try it, not many stick to it. I took a good friend out once, a few months ago. I got one, he missed three, and we had a few other follows. He loved it, then I explained that days like this can be rare. He didn't care, went out, bought a new st. croix, c3, 10 baits, was ready to go.
We went fishing again, this time ALL DAY, never moved a fish. He left his gear with me, he's done already.
It takes a certain kind of person to be crazy enough to pursue these fish all the time.
p.s. any newbies out there that want to buy a bunch of gear to go fishing once, then give it to me, are more than welcome in my boat. Open offer, lol. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Tomy - I've seen your boat; I've fished from your boat. You should offer them a trade...:)
peace out, m |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | Mikie, she's cherry brother. I think you're just intimidated by her speed. Actually the boat in question was my canoe, Stream X. I think it's a better option, lol. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I say it is already getting pretty big. I remember just a few years ago fishing webster in october and only seeing about 5-6 other boats out...Now you might see 15-20 on barbee, and there aren't any trophy's on that chain yet, better yet what tippy or webster might have. Heck it was the huge popularity of bass fishing that has hurt bass fishing on those lakes, I would hate to see that start happening with the musky fishing. |
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Posts: 5230
| Kevin I see ther same thing and since I am only 5 miles from you maybe it is Il Indiana musky thing.0723 |
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Posts: 103
Location: Illinoise | I can't say I'm against the expansion of the Musky fishing world. I'm a newbie to the sport, been fishing muskies exclusively only the past two seasons and I'm totally hooked. All it takes is one fish. But, I have to admit I do like the fact that it isn't as popular as some other types of fishing. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | There really is two ways to view the growth of muskie fishing IMO. On one side, I want others to enjoy the sport as much as I and other muskie fisherman do. But there is such thing as too many people. It really hurts fishing too. I fish a few small (under 200 acres) lakes that are very pressured. And catching fish in those lakes is very hard. Even if there are lots of fish. I just started muskie fishing a few years ago and can already see an increase in muskie fisherman. Lots of them are not what I would call serious muskie fisherman. They either keep the fish or don't properly release them. I sure hope it doesn't turn into bass fishing where you flip the fish into the boat and let them flop on the carpet for a couple minutes before throwing them back in. (by the way, I fish for bass, but don't do that) On the other end, how many lakes that never had muskies (or maybe never existed) now have excellent populations of muskies? Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio. There are not only good populations of muskies in these states now, but some big fish. With more anglers, more lakes can be stocked. The more people there are, the more we can learn from each other. (magazines, websites, ect) More muskie anglers can help or it could hurt. It depends on how you look at it. |
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