Line Shy Muskies? Or am I overthinking...

Well, I have an addiction. Muskie fishing. Been dragging the boat up to the kawarthas after work near every day chasing these awesome fish. When I lived up north, Muskie fishing was different. I was catching them on twister tails and bass craws. Down here the challenge is much greater. Over the last 5 days. I've encountered 3 Muskie. Had some chase to the boat. And the other 2 pop off. And the weird thing. All came on my bass rod not my proper Muskie set up.

I chuck a spinner bait for largies. A lot. It's my go to for bigger fish. But the last 3 times, for the short period of time I'm bass fishing. I had those 3 Muskie encounters. 1 of which too was with a 40" plus fish.

It seems like. Whenever I chuck the Muskie lures (which is also a spinner bait of a larger size). I can't connect. Is it my 40lb flouro litre? I don't know. Just so strange to me how they want the bass set up so bad. Even when I put the same spinner bait for bass on the Muskie rod. Nothing. Should I drop down too a 20lb litre?

Thanks for the help!

Nick

5+ largie i encountered the other day.

I caught more Muskie trolling for Pickerel than I have trolling Muskie gear.

Like Woodfarmer says, many times you catch muskie when fishing for another species. Muskie are opportunists, and will hit anything that catches their eye. When the water is very warm like it is now in the Kawarthas, a muskie may not want to chase a speedy big bait. A slower, smaller bait is an easy target for them on a lazy, sunny, warm, summer day. And the leader you are using is fine, better to have good strength than not. If a muskie shows interest in a smaller bait, keep using it for a while. But don't throw your muskie lures in the bottom of the tackle box. Temperature and weather will always dictate what works best from week to week, or day to day. I don't take people muskie fishing like in the past, but a variety of baits and sizes is a must for any species. Big bulky baits or smaller baits, it all depends on the conditions out there on the Kawartha Lakes. I am not telling everyone to use small baits when targeting muskie. Muskie baits catch muskie, no doubt there at all. And everyone should have all the proper gear. The right rod and line, proper net, gloves, pliers, etc. etc. And if anglers are going after muskie in warm summer water, they must protect the fish. All anglers should know how long it takes to release a muskie so that it will survive. It takes three to four times as long in July and August to release a muskie. Low surface oxygen levels in warm water kills fish. Keep up the good work and fishing Nick. By the way, nice large mouth bass.

Hey Nick,

Not a lecture, but most of the guides in this area have stopped fishing for Musky until water temps come down.

Lots of good info out there on what happens when you fish for them in 80 degree water. In fact Gord Pyzer just had Sean Landsman on his last podcast and they talk about this.

Maybe worth a listen - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315879/15498520...magical-muskies

Warm water releases after a long fight on a bass rod usually end up with a dead fish.

Just my 2 cents.

As skydive guy said fishing for musky when the water is this hot is hard on the fish a lot fight to death. But mid summer faster is generally better , you want to get the reaction bites , I’m talkin trolling speed of 5-5.5 mph , when the water cools is when you want to slow down.

Thank you for the detailed reply CM. Always enjoy reading them.

And also very valuable info Skydive. I will take this into account for my future Muskie endeavours. I will wait a bit I think untill fishing for them again. October I hear is a prime time. And safer for the fish.

Right after labour day is your best target date for the start of fall muskie. If we get a week of cool nights and the early September fall wind starts to pick up from the east. Right after that it's muskie time. Two or three muskie a day on Balsam is the average for when I took people out. I fish for walleye while my friends fish for muskie. It's tricky and a zoo on the boat, but fun. The best way to find muskie is to fish where the walleye are from September until the season closes.

No worries,

I have learned to much from this page and am happy to share what I have learned. I would love for my future grandkids to have a productive fishery to enjoy if they wish.

Because there is no tone here, I always worry that most will take offence to a post like that. I know on social media it would have been a wild conversation!