Muskys again.

[FLATHEAD]

I was wondering about these muskys that take the bait right at the boat. Like I said before I get into a few musky every year in the 20 to 30 inch range,while fishing for bass. More than half the time they have hit the lure within 10 /15 feet of the boat and as close as 5 feet with a mighty crash. In my estimation they no doubt could see the boat when they hit the lure. So, if this fish is leary enough of the bait that he will follow it 30 yards before the strike why does he decide to hit it when the boat is right there in his sights?? You would think just the opposite(sp) would be true. This said maybe these young smaller fish have not been educated on the hook in the mouth yet.? I say this because I have never nailed a really big musky as of yet, but then again it could be because of the smaller bass sized bait I am using. Last year I did have a real nice one follow to the boat and actually hit the boat when he dove and turned away. I am just trying to get a feel on how these fish behave. I am so confused

 

[JB]

Re: Muskys again.

As I understand it, Muskys follow out of curiosity, wondering what that is and whether to eat it or not.<br /><br />Muskys fear nothing, not boats, not people. I have heard of them attacking outboard props that were turning!! <br /><br />Those by-the-boat strikes are most likely a case of "Oh my! It is going up and might get away!" when the lure speeds up and heads for the surface.<br /><br />It is truly exciting to have a green, 8 or 10lb (try 35lb) fish on 4 or 5 feet of line. Punch the button and give her 15 or 20 feet to play with, and good luck.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Muskys again.

This behavior is why many musky fishermen will do a figure 8 at the end of every retrieve.<br /><br />Leave one to 6' of line out, release bail or thumb button, draw several large figure 8s in the water with the lure, then pull it up. <br /><br />I have personally seen fish hit on the figure 8, but not on my lure. <br /><br />Just remember to release the bail first, you won't have time to do it before the line breaks if a big one strikes.<br /><br /> http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/articles/01.20.2004/93/Fine.Tuning.Your.Figure.8/ <br /><br /> http://www.muskiecentral.com/smith/jsmith1.shtml

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Muskys again.

Surface and speed at the end probably triggers more boat strikes as JB says..As for the follow..Shame on you Flahthead for not having a throwback..They generally stay in area after a follow..<br /><br />At our Musky Meeting last night we were discussing how to determine lure size for the gator..Rule of thumb(depending on area)spring time bait fish are small so a smaller lure presentation is needed..as bait fish increase in size(like our shad here) bigger lures are needed.<br /><br />Actually showed your map FH of your tiger lake and a few of the guys have fished it..Told me to tell you in the spring work the coves but far out enough to run over drop points..trolling in 4 to 7 foot of water with shallow running lures..

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Muskys again.

That is why I haven't put any big lumber in my collection yet. I read that same thing on musky striker. Jeff and I will be trying some of those big fellas out in about two weeks. Sent him a picture of the dam at the start of the river we are going to fish. I to have rigged me up a throw back and am practicing my figure 8

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Muskys again.

Gonfishn, Man we threw everything back at that sucker. My son had a raplla on his line and chucked it right where the brute took off to. He wouldnt bite. I know about the figure eight and I plan on doing that this year when we go out and target those toothy critters. So if this theory holds true it would be a good idea to retrive it more erratic than a slow or fast steady retrive. Ok so I am learnin something here. <br /><br />Thats pretty cool that some of your buds fished my lake, they are right on with the advise about the coves with the drop offs. That is just the type of area we do luck into them in the spring,, almost always running a shallow jointed rappala or a twin blade noisey buzzbait <br /><br />We have very few guys that fish that lake targeting musky,and its hard to get a feel for just how good it really is for musky. I was just wondering what those guys that fished it thoughts were on the lake, Good, Bad, so so?? <br /><br />Thanks for the replys.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Muskys again.

Two days six gators Flahthead..all trolling in the spring..They ranged from 28" to 40"..But it was the follow thats going to makeem come back..45 plus was this monster they say..These guys are the best Ohio has to offer in being addicted to the hunt..<br /><br />Sometime we need to go to chat so I can share with you what they said which should help you produce some lbers this year..

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Muskys again.

Well it looks like a new addiction might have started at my house. I done went to cabelas and bought me a true muskie lure. I also picked up some of the Cabelas ripcord line to try this year. Here is the lure aint she a dandy <br /><br />

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Muskys again.

The foot or the lure If it runs shallow it looks like a nice spring troll over some shallow runs..if deep may want to wait til summer when they are deeper.