Musky Fishing

Hey folks, now is the time to get out and pound the water for the freshwater alligator, the MUSKY!! Another big fish was landed in Vilas county on a bulldog, a 54" 43 Lb. monster which easily would have been a 50 pounder in the fall. Remember when Dave Gelb landed his on that snowy cold day in November two years ago? We are seeing some big fish this summer which is a great sign for us musky hunters. Catch n release has been paying off and this 54" er taken Friday is just an example. Bull dogs, Depthraiders and Double Tinseltails are taking some impressive fish this year. Early mornings have seen some action as well as dusk with top water baits boating some nice fish. Steep weed lines and sand bars topping off at around 16 to 20 feet have caught some suspending fish as well. Wherever you are, keep catch n release alive and maybe someday you will be hoisting a 40 pounder in your boat. Good Luck and tight lines!!

J Smith (J&J Sports)

If you didn't get the chance to Musky fish this past weekend you missed out on some awesome action. Beginning Thurs. there were a few reports of a few fish being caught and Fri. there were multiple fish caught as well as Sat. and tailing off on Sunday. A 52" Lake Tomahawk fish was released along with 4 fish in the low 40" range were put back to fight another day. Two caught on jerk baits and two on tinsel tails. A 50"er was brought in by us by a young boy who caught it on a jig and minnow with 6# line. 70 fish were reported caught in the PMT tourny in Eagle River, so the fish are definatly active. Get out and toss some lures, who know maybe you'll be the next one to land a big one. Good Luck and keep your lines tight! J Smith (J & J Sports)

Well, looks like we are going to have an extended musky season this year thanks to the warm temps. Smaller lakes are holding at 41 and larger deeper lakes at 44 degrees. No temp drop in the past 11 days!! Alot of guide trips over the past 2 weeks have netted 13 fish 38 to 44" - No giants yet. Bigger suckers have been catching 90% of the fish - a few others on jerkbaits. Fish on the small lakes are holding in 10 to 16 feet on weed edges and quick dropping shorelines. Look for fish on the cisco based lakes on the steeper drops in 14 to 25 feet. Searching for cisco schools will also pay off as they are starting to stage in large schools getting ready for their spawn.

Good Luck
Pat
Captain Hooks

Muskies have been hot and cold these last two weeks. Gary Schwengel reported catching three Muskies this past week of Nov. 8th thru the 13th. Each fish measured over 42 in. Released pictures reveiled nice healthy fish to be caught another day. All fish caught on large Suckers. The weather seems to be playing a big role in figuring where to fish. The wind has been a little calmer than last week and temps are about right for fishing all day. Keep at it and you will be rewarded. Tight Lines!

Those kind of days are rare. I remember only once in my life (as a young teen) going out early one morning on Little Arbor Vitae lake with my father. We both casted our first bait and both drew muskies to the boat at the same time, first cast. They are a funny tempered fish. Where would we be without them? Miserable I'm sure.

Happy Musky Fishing.

On Friday October 16th, a customer reported catching a 51.5 " Musky and a 46" Musky all in one hour on a Bucher red & black Mag Tinsel tail. Pics on his camera showed two nice healthy fish swimming away to fight another day. He fished for two more days that weekend and never raised another fish. Nobody said Musky fishing was easy! Look for nasty weather this week and Muskies should be on the move. Don't forget to trail a sucker behind for good luck! Good luck to all and set the hooks hard!