New to Muskie

[jsfinn]

Hello,<br /><br />I've never caught a Muskie but ever since I started reading this board, it seems like Muskie get the most interests over all other species so I want to catch one.<br /><br />I’ve heard rumors that they can be caught at a little lake I used to fish at all the time when I was a kid and also according this, http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/lakes/burke_lake/fishing_outlook.html , they are stocked annually. It’s not very far away from my normal fishing spot, so maybe I’ll give it another shot. This little lake restricts gas motors but allows trolling motors to scoot around.<br /><br />I doubt I’ll pull out any record setting Muskie…I sort of doubt I’ll even catch a Muskie (all I caught was about a million Blue Gill there when I was a kid) but I was hoping to get some tips on getting one.<br /><br />Thanks for any advice you can offer.<br /><br />-Josh

 

[JB]

Re: New to Muskie

I fished Burke Lake years ago. Caught a 14" shellcracker there.<br /><br />Unless the lake has changed a LOT I wouldn't expect muskies to thrive there.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New to Muskie

Hey JB - I'm curious why you say that? I don't disagree with you - I'm just wondering why. Too small of a lake? The Occoquan river is my normal fishin' hole. Think I would have better chances there or am I just not going to find them in this area?<br /><br />I read somewhere that late fall is a good time to fish for Muskie so I was thinking this might be a good "adventure" before it's time to tuck the boat away for winter.

 

[JB]

Re: New to Muskie

Well, JSF, my first thought was the forage. I don't recall any of muskie's favorite food in the lake.<br /><br />After I reread the link, I guess they must forage on the walleye, or they adapt to compete with the bass for the bluegill and that family.<br /><br />It is clear that they raise some decent fish there in spite of the unsuitable climate, etc.<br /><br />When I fished it, there were no musky or walleye. It was a fair bass lake and a great bluegill and shellcracker lake.<br /><br />My favorite fishing hole in those days was Occoquan reservoir.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: New to Muskie

Howdy Jsfinn...I totally agree with you..I fish a very small lake about 900 acres and has alot of Muskys...Any lake has the possibility of having muskys in them..Maybe not the size as with other larger areas but they are there..You don't just go out and catch the warrior..You need to know them and what makes them tick..<br /><br />I am constantly readn and learning about there traits.. A musky will hit a lure not necessarily that she is hungry but because you invaded her territory.. I say her cause the female are always larger than the males..I guess you could compare that on the human side to...As Musky ducks in case Ladyfish happens upon this thread..lol..<br /><br /><br />I am not an expert here by any means JS but some here maybe only fish for them once a year while with me thats all I fish for...Unless I am with a few here that enjoy pooter fishn then i have to break out my shamoo pole ..<br /><br />I have caught thirteen this year the biggest was just a little over forty..If you do a little back reasearch here and click on my threads you will get some good ideas on how to start ...Alot of good advice here from other members.<br /><br />I am going to suggest for to go back and see past threads,then come back here and lets talk about hooking you up with the gator...btw nice ta meet ya have not seen you over here much...Hang around..<br /><br />As a closing thought i do know that your state is also known to have some pretty good gators.. There are Musky tourneys in VA..Soooooo enough said..

 

[gonfishn]

Re: New to Muskie

And at the same time you will have some good laughs to especailly if GF has anything to do with it..

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to Muskie

Hey Jsfinn, GF is right.<br />Just do a search for muskie here and read up on the different threads. Lots of good reading.<br />About 5 pages worth of different things about muskie.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to Muskie

Originally posted by gonfishn:<br /> And at the same time you will have some good laughs to especailly if GF has anything to do with it..

I wasn't going to say anything like that.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: New to Muskie

to catch musky you really have to be committed!<br />(or should be)

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New to Muskie

Thanks guys, I'll take your advice and do a little searching around tonight after work.<br /><br />I'm not stuck on this little lake or anything - it's just close by. West Virginia is about an hour away - Maybe I'll have better chances in those waters..?<br /><br />I do a lot of bass fishing at JB's old fishin' spot. I don't know why I don't fish for other fish...I guess I just figured bass was the only thing worth catching! Now I want something bigger and meaner! By the way - why are they called Gators?<br /><br />Also, thanks for the welcome and nice to meet you too. I've been lurkin' around for a while and post every once in a while. Maybe I'll pipe up a little louder now.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: New to Muskie

gator cuz big sharp teeth <br />enjoy,<br />M.Y.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to Muskie

"By the way - why are they called Gators?"<br /><br />If you see on up close, you will understand.<br />If you ever seen a pic of GF, you would really understand then.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New to Muskie

OK Fellas - I've just spent the past hour or so reading up on Muskie fishing and this is what I've learned:<br /><br />I need to first catch a duck, tie a squirle to it, add a 100LB test leader to the mix, and maybe a 9 inch lure, line that up on my Mickey Mouse rod, pretend like I'm fishing for Bluegill and then pull in a monster 5 feet from the boat ... after it rams the side. If it bites my arm off, then it's just a baby - it should have got my leg and my arm!<br /><br />Also, SBN, Mellowyellow, Gonfishn, you're all NUTS! <br /><br />Just kidding - everyone here has a lot of good insight and thanks for the laughs. What I really learned is, these fish are smart, curious, and strong. It seems like most people troll a large lure between 10 and 30 feet depending on water temp. Weeds are good. If I happen to catch one, don't lip it, they have sharp teeth and they are strong.<br /><br />Am I starting to catch on?<br /><br />Thanks guys!<br /><br />Josh

 

[aspeck]

Re: New to Muskie

Josh, I think you got it! Maybe more in the first half of your post than the last half! Good luck!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: New to Muskie

jsfinn, you read up and you will find a lot of usefull info here.<br />About fishing and a lot of other stuff too.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: New to Muskie

Jsfinn...You are now one of us...Meaning a musky follower..Even though you may have not caught one..you don't know it yet everytime you go fishn now you will be thinking of the warrior..Hoping maybe one will grace you line even for just taste..addiction will follow as we will share with later..<br /><br />We have other members of this elite group (Spinner)who fish for other fins such as the Bass but not the musky..So as you can see we have an open forum once we say your in your in..lol<br /><br />Here are some of the current members(you may not want to join after you see who is here)..lol<br /><br /> Spinner,MellowYellow,BubbaKat,Eurolarva,Neaumans,<br />muskyone,the Three Amigos and now Jsfinn..JB is an honorable here because of his mod status . But he has caught the gator..Anyone who has caught the gator is grandfathered in automatically..I have missed many here who i am sure will let you know they are included..<br /><br /> This is For those of my friends here that i have Shared my new business venture with..I sign on the dotted line in ten days...I will share with all of iboats in the near future. Those who know i ask to keep within self..lol... I will put it this way swimming with the fish could take on a whole different meaning for GF if it doesn't work out.lol..

 

[roscoe]

Re: New to Muskie

You might want to check this out.<br />They have a nice magazine which makes for some good reading.<br /><br /> http://www.esoxangler.com/

 

[Barlow]

Re: New to Muskie

GF ... check roscoes link out.<br /><br />OOOHHHH the irony...

 

[PAkev]

Re: New to Muskie

Also check out muskyhunter.com<br /><br />Both subscriptions afford lots of helpful info for someone with lots of questions.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[walleyehed]

Re: New to Muskie

By JB,<br />

I guess they must forage on the walleye,

Man that hurts .....oh well...best eatin' a 'ski ever had!!!