Muskie...Lots of Walleye., Fishing trip #7

Went up to the lake Friday afternoon but no fishing. Lots of yard work to do first, lawn was a jungle. Tractor was in the shop, so the grass was not cut for 15 days. Saturday started fishing at 7pm, with my friend in his boat. A bit of wind from the NW but it slowed as the night went on. My friend caught a muskie and lost it right at the net. We have caught many muskie at night over the years. It's a bit tricky sometimes, very easy for things to go wrong in the dark. Took a while to find the walleye, then they seemed to be everywhere. My friend caught 20 and I caught 14. There were loons singing off and on all night. We covered about a km of water 40 to 50 yards off shore. Tried to stay in 8 to 10 feet of water, with the occasional move to shallow shoreline casts. This is what we were using for lures. I had 4 of these and gave one to my friend. These are the same model of lure as my lucky charms, different colour. Put the old lucky lures away, right after my friend caught the muskie.

My friend kept three walleye and I kept these two. Perfect night for fishing, cool and not too many bugs. Not my normal very slow retrieve. Fish were hungry and the retrieve was much quicker last night. Fishing is never exactly the same. Air temperature, water temperature, wind, rain, clear, clouds, day, night, and season etc. Fish will hit your favourite lure most of the time. If they don't, it's probably not the lure...it's the speed of your retrieval of that lucky lure. Many times fish react to vigorous lure action to trigger a hit...other times a slower slight action with the same lure can tease a fish into hitting that same lure.

These are my old favourites, lost a gold one a couple of years ago and can't replace it. If there are muskie around, these two go back in the box. They have both caught muskie, very lucky that they have not been lost over the years.

Thanks for the post. It's ice to hear people having success on the water. You're right about success on the water. It may come, but the mechanics of success are never the same.
That's a great looking breakfast there CM.

It looks like my 115 HP Suzuki be out of commission for a while. I took my complete lower unit (the prop, lower housing unit and about 12 inches above it) off on a shoal in Georgian Bay. Not a great feeling at all, as I know better than being 'on plane' in an area that I only thought was OK.

I'm figuring about 6-8 weeks for repairs, if I'm lucky. It might be the one downfall of Suzuki..limited part options. Guess I know soon.

Cheers,

nice report and good looking fish. those lures sure look well used. I been struggling lately, but winds have been high so can't get to where I want.

Trolling or casting?

Oh my, that's not good. Sorry about your motor, hopefully you can get the parts you need. I wish you luck that maybe it will only be a few weeks.

The wind has been interesting lately all over Ontario. Wednesday,Thursday looks like less wind, good luck next time you are out.

All casting from an hour before sunset, until sunrise. I avoid trolling in the dark, too many chances for a misap. When the boat is in motion in the dark, we have two spotlights going at all times.

I used to love trolling Balsam at night.

My son was 12 when he caught a 29” Pickerel and I’ve caught a few 28-30” over the years.

Following in your footsteps, he looks so happy. How long ago was that?

nice report!

Have only tried night fishing a couple times. when we did I put a flashlight under an overturned white pail and it glowed like a lantern. Made it super easy to see in the boat without the harsh bright light of a direct beam against pitch black. Unfortunately if it is buggy that lantern acts like a beacon for biting critters, but it is ideal if no bugs around.

You might try a red, orange or yellow bucket next time. The colour does not deter the bugs but red, orange and yellow attracts less bugs. Solar night light last a long time, and alternative to battery flashlights. Here is a picture, great for the back yard or camping as well. I prefer no light at all at night. When light is needed, the red light on my headlamp is switched on. Less glare, less bugs and no shock to my eyes. For anyone that would like to try this, make sure the bucket is not near an open flame, electrics or heat source. Plastic burns and gives off toxic fumes etc. Stay safe.

Will be 8 yrs ago, last weekend of Sept.

Will be 8 yrs ago, last weekend of Sept.

Does your son still go fishing?