Musky Fishing July 28 - bittersweet, updated - some pics

[Archiero]

Went out musky fishing yesterday morning in the bobcaygeon area. I've been hooked since I went out last fall for the first time and right away purchased rod, reel, lures, etc over the winter. Ive had success with double 8 bucktails so far this year but decided to pick up a couple double 10's to see if I could entice a few bigger girls.
The good news is iI think I have the technique down. Ive been setting up about 20 - 30 ft off the edge of weedbeds, creek openings, etc and fan casting at them with pretty good success. Yesterday i started with a good hit about 10 minutes in, but unfortunately got off. At the next weed bed i had 2 smashes and was surprised to see that both were HUGE largies (on a double 10) but both managed to throw the hook. Yep, my downfall is definitely setting the hook. Moved on to another section and had one hit, and then a little musky followed it in pretty far but couldnt get it to strike. Finally as we were about to call it a day (way too hot yesterday) i threw towards a creek opening and hade a big, big musky follow about a foot behind my lure. Stupid me slowed down my retrieve (instinct i guess) and the musky slowed down. So i sped it up to the boat and remembered all ive read about "figure 8's" for chasers. So i dipped my rod tip in the water, and bam....fish took off into the depths. Damn! So i tried a few more casts and nothing. Took a 5 minute break and threw another cast in and she followed again, but again as soon as my rod tip hit the water for the figure 8 she got spooked and turned tail. Any suggestions?
By that time we were hot and my shoulder and wrist were killing from throwing big bucktails for 3 hours straight so we called it a day.
No pics this time, but i am hooked and will keep trying and keep learning from my outings. Hopefully by the end of this fishing season I ll have some nice pics to show you all.


Rob

[kitch]

I find the closer they are to the lure, the less likely they are to be spooked. When they are a really hot follow (i.e. nose right up on the lure) it seems nothing will deter them. She was probably having a bit of fun with you on a hot summer day. Sometimes it seems there is nothing you can do but watch them and do your best.
Best I can say is to keep the lure moving and not slow up. Too many times I get caught watching them follow and when others see it I become the butt of many muskie follow jokes......

[PrayforCold]

One suggestion is to go into the turn and sweep the lure around them to give a lateral line buzz, then go as fast as you can go through the straight away, a quick hesitation before the bend, and then back into a sweeping motion and repeat the process in the other direction to complete the eight. It doesn't work on every fish, but it is always worth a try, if you have a positive fish you've got a great chance to stick em' with this figure eight technique.

[Ben]

If the figure 8 isn't working for you try keeping your rod just out of the water, walk to the end of your boat and then turn making a sort of L shape. When musky fishing I found this helped

[Archiero]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will definitely try some of those for sure.
Trying not to slow down my lure with a follow is one of those things....you just see it coming and say holy s*** and are mezmorized, and then realize oh crap I need to go faster and then its too late. I guess i'll get better with experience.

Thanks again, i'm always open for musky tips at any time of year.

Rob

[Hank Jr]

The more Muskie fishing you do the better your figure 8 will get . I fish with a guy from Queensville who gets lots of follows but he use to stop reeling and point and say there is one but now years latter he is catching those follows . Keep at it you had a good day on the water thanks for the report.

[canadadude]

Leave the fish alone if it won't strike after a few attempts, move on and look for more, remembering the encounters come back later in the evening and try again.Lots of times the afternoon follows can set you up for a memorable late bite

[Archiero]

Update: Here are some pics of the last few times out. Most times I'm by myself and the best pic I can get are like the one that is still in the water. But if you can see the leader, it is a 12" leader so that should help with a size reference.

[Archiero]

little ski

[Archiero]

nice bass

[Archiero]

solo fishing

[Ben]

great pics, what setup do you use? Im interested in getting back into musky fishing next year.

[kitch]

Considering I am working outside in this heat, I'd gladly trade my tools for a fishing rod and catch those muskies! Nice pictures!
Some guys do seem to get tons of follows. One guy I know gets them all the time and he always figures that if he can get them close to the boat, the guys he is fishing with stand a chance of actually catching a muskie!

[Archiero]

Hey Ben,
I bought an Abu Garcia 5500 reel over the winter with 65 lb powerpro and a 100 lb leader. As for the rod being my first musky set up. I couldnt go for broke so I found the Shimano Sojourn 7.5' medium heavy musky rod for 59.99 canadian (i think). The downside is that it is a one piece rod, but it was $100+ less than any two piece rods and i have loved it so far. I can chuck all my musky baits pretty far, although i don't use the heavy heavy bulldawg types (i bought one that isnt too heavy).

Hope that helps,
Rob

[bluenote]

Nice photos!

I'm not targetting muskies. However quite the thrill when do have one take the bait . . .

Three of my musky hookups and my brothers only have been on the relatively Tony jig head with Trigger-x walleye grub. Apart from the few landed I'm sure that I've lost a lot more for biting through line - no leader. Then again not targeting musky . . .

Well done with yours!

Thanks